8 Best Baby Shower Gifts for Dad

Baby showers used to be just for the ladies, but these days, dads-to-be are a part of the celebration, too—and rightly so!

Mom may be doing the baking, but it took two to get that bun in the oven. And any expectant dad  is just as excited to meet his main man or sweet princess. So much so that people are starting to organize dadchelor parties for the expectant dad!

Making sure dad is included in baby shower gift-giving festivities is a great way to get him prepped about all the changes that come with parenthood. And don’t just settle for the usual gift card, baby socks or stuffed animal. Whether you’re looking to give a small token of appreciation or blow him out of the water with a life-changing fatherhood gift, read on to see our top 8 baby shower gift ideas for dads. 

#1 Dad-Approved Diaper Bag 

During the first few years of parenthood, there is one holy grail item no parent should be without: the diaper bag. These days, dads can take on just as much diaper duty as moms, if not more. This means new dads will appreciate a design with a more masculine touch.

A quality diaper bag is versatile, a Swiss army knife of infant care. The most helpful diaper bags are equipped to hold:

• Diapers (no surprise there)
• Wipes
• Bottles
• Food and utensils

The most coveted models also come with a portable roll-out changing pad, like this model by J is for Jeep ($44). Portable changing pads are a must-have for those men’s rooms that are behind on the times and lack baby changing stations. Even if a bathroom does have a changing station, a portable pad provides the baby with a nice squishy surface to lie on. 

#2 A Heavy-Duty Baby Carrier 

Both dads and moms can appreciate convenient hands-free baby carriers that keep their newborns warm, cozy, and close to their chests.

Because men and women are built differently, you may want to opt for different chest carriers between mom and dad. We love this “rugged” and Tactical Baby Carrier ($125) from TBG, which won’t dump weight into the pelvis and comes in 4 strapping colors. 

Also of note is this Hoodie Baby Pouch ($109) for men who are never without their favorite zip-up! Bonus: because the baby pouch zips off, dad can sport this stylish hoodie even after the baby’s outgrown it. 

#3 Matching Dad-and-Baby Clothes 

One of the most fun parts of being a new parent is getting to pick out your newborn’s clothes, from evening pajamas to irresistibly adorable costumes for baby’s first Halloween (baked potato, anyone?).

For those regular days in between, make sure dad and baby are decked out in some of the funniest parent-child ensembles on the market. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

• For tech guys – This battery-inspired t-shirt/onesie duo ($24.95) speaks the truth and can add a touch of humor when dad is on his last 10%.
• For fans of The Office – Is the new dad in your life constantly quoting The Office? Cop him and his little one this humorous Office throwback t-shirt and onesie pair ($11.52) for a Dwight Schrute/Michael Scott revival moment.
• For nerdy dads – Sometimes, a t-shirt joke takes a minute to put together. We love this wry t-shirt/onesie pair ($10.79) that plays on a blend of computer savvy and DNA humor.
• For taco lovers – If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then this taco/taquito t-shirt and onesie duo ($24.95) shows that the father-child bond is well on its way.

The best part is how flexible this gift is. It is one of the best baby shower gifts for a girl and baby shower shifts for a boy.

#4 Books for Dad and Baby Storytime 

The ritual of storybooks before bedtime is a heartwarming routine for expectant parents and kids alike, even before babies can follow along. 

The sound of a parents’ voice reading a story before sleep is soothing to babies, and there is a wonderful batch of picture books that illustrate the importance of dear old dads:

• This storybook, My Dad Loves Me! ($24.99), can be customized before printing to weave the name of both the baby and dad-to-be in your life throughout the story to make storytime even more personal.
• I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar ($7.05) is a dad-ified take on the classic picture book by Eric Carle.
• A sweet introduction to numbers, Daddy Hugs ($7.99) is a board book for infants and toddlers that teaches them to count by father-child cuddles. 

#5 Dad-Style Relaxation Devices

There comes a time, usually after the baby’s been put to bed, when dads need to step out of dad-mode and find their happy place.

Giving the gift of relaxation is a great way to help him find his paradise, and we think any one of these gifts would do the trick:

• Noise-canceling headphones – To tune in and drop out, consider gifting the dad-to-be in your life a pair of over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones. We recommend a pair that’s wireless and Bluetooth compatible, like these Soundcore Lyfe Q20s ($52). They offer snag-free removal when the little one needs to be hushed back to sleep, lickety-split!
• Weighted blanket – Sometimes, grown-ups need to be swaddled too. The first few months of parenthood are known to take a toll on sleeping habits, so fostering a calm resting environment is essential for improving sleep quality. Weighted blankets ($71) have been shown to ease stress, cosset the nervous system, and promote deeper sleep—as well as dad-style power naps.
• Extreme chilling robe – You can never go wrong with a plush men’s robe ($57) for responsible, relaxed nights in. To add a dose of cuteness, look for a matching baby robe ($25) to get the whole family together for a well-deserved veg session.

#6 An (Extremely Necessary) Coffee Maker 

After a long night—whether spent padding around in his new robe or letting mom get some shut-eye while he mans the crib—coffee-loving dads may be keen for a pick-me-up to help recharge for a brand new day of Dadding.

If they’re already committed to a favorite coffee brand, consider giving a top-of-the-line coffee maker that takes the legwork out of their morning routine. Some of the best coffee makers on the market include:

• Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker – This espresso press ($30) is affordable, easy-to-use, and exceptionally good at extracting full-bodied flavor from dad’s favorite magic beans.
• Bonavita Connoisseur 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker – This drip machine ($102) will make more than enough for mom and dad in under 6 minutes.
• Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 – Some mornings get a little haywire, but with this thermodynamic coffee cup, dad’s mug of joy ($130) will still be piping hot by the time he gets back from an emergency diaper situation.

Aside from the heavy-duty equipment, consider hooking your java connoisseur up with a coffee subscription that sends him a new bag of beans in line with his tastes from some of the best roasters in the country.

#7 Meal Prep Appliances 

There’s a whole world of appliances that can take the legwork out of meal prep for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to ensure all household members are nourished and energized.

These three contraptions are perfect for new dads in the kitchen during mealtime:

• Breakfast Sandwich Maker – During the weekday morning rush, a man’s still gotta eat. He can skip the deli run with this breakfast sandwich maker by Hamilton Beach. This godsend can whip up two meals in one—one for dad and one for mom—with the works: eggs, sausage patty, English muffin, you name it.
• Instant Pot – Instant pots ($150) make lunch and dinner a no-brainer, with plenty of leftovers to spare. Hoppin’ John, split pea soup, or hearty stews during the colder months make for a healthy, filling meal with just the press of a button. 
• Air Fryer – Ordering take-out is a tried and true method for getting fed during a busy week of work and baby-rearing, but the GrubHub bills can add up—and while it’s an easy meal option, it’s not always the healthiest. This air fryer ($120) uses 85% less oil to get meats and veggies crisp and delectable in no time. Plus, it can whip up fried dishes for up to 5 people for nights when mom and dad have friends over.

Finally, never underestimate the best tried-and-true baby shower gift for dad: a trove full of his favorite snacks!

Baby showers are a unique opportunity to celebrate the forthcoming joy of fatherhood and help prepare dads-to-be for the ride ahead. From practical gifts like diaper bags, baby carriers, and coffee makers, to fun matching clothing sets, relaxation aids, and storybooks, each present should be thoughtfully selected to aid the new dad on his journey, making his transition into fatherhood a truly memorable one.

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Sources:

1. The Sleep Foundation. Weighted Blanket Benefits. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/weighted-blanket-benefits
2. Women’s Health. Are Air Fryers Healthy? https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19976841/are-air-fryers-healthy/