Written by Sonia Su

Becoming a dad means a life-changing transition to an exciting chapter with a precious bundle of joy. After all, as a new mom myself, I have been lucky enough to experience just how transformative the first child can be for the whole family—pets included!

But when it comes to gifts from friends and family, the thought traditionally has focused on the new baby and mom—when in reality for many families, celebrating this significant milestone requires thoughtful gifts that not only show support, but also prepare and pamper the new dad.

So whether you're a new mom, friend, or relative looking for that perfect new dad gift, this guide will explore some of the best gifts for first-time dads. Many of these items are ones my husband and I personally have found to be must-have items for new parenthood and hopefully will help any new dads who will be on dad duty or just need some self care.

 

The Best Gifts for New Dads Who Have Everything

It can be tricky trying to find the right gifts that will celebrate the momentous occasion of becoming a new dad, while providing practical tools and resources to support the inevitably sleep-deprived family.

These gifts for new dads cater to a range of interests and preferences—including the new dad who has everything, ensuring that new dads receive thoughtful and meaningful tokens of appreciation as they embark on their journey into fatherhood.

Here are some thoughtful and practical gift ideas that he'll love:

Clothing & Accessories

Regional Manager/Assistant Combo Matching Dad Baby Shirts or Bodysuit

This is the perfect new dad gift who are fans of The Office. This super cute matching set with the cool dad shirt and baby onesie is great for family photos, especially for that first Father's Day. Be sure to check out our collection of Father's Day gifts.

Nimble Made Navy and Red Flannel Button Down Shirt

Help the dad look the part of the "ultimate dad" with this flannel button-down collar shirt. This navy blue and red flannel dress shirt takes inspiration from the Showa koi fish, characterized by its striking white, red, and black colors, while also paying homage to Japan's Showa era.

The Showa is made from premium-quality fabric, ensuring a soft and cozy feel against your skin. Whether the new dad is returning to work or enjoying a night out with friends, this blue and red flannel shirt promises an unmatched level of comfort, keeping them at ease throughout the day—a great outfit for Father's Day!

Nimble Made Spring Garden Beige Dress Socks

To add to the classic dad outfit, this pair of beige dress socks is soft and breathable, perfect for casual everyday wear or back in the office. These dress socks feature a spring garden on an off-white/beige background.

Nimble Made Gift Card

To round out dad's attire, give the gift of a new slim fit wardrobe. Whether it's basic men's t-shirts to feel comfy during the hospital stay and at home, or professional dress shirts to prepare a new dad to go back to work in style, Nimble Made shirts are designed with form-fitting appeal in mind, ideal for working professionals such as doctors or lawyers with slim builds.

That means the new dads on the slimmer side won't have to settle for too-short sleeves or loose-fitting midsections. There is an excellent selection of classic colors and simple designs, along with bolder business dress shirts that are as fashionable as they are comfortable to wear.

Hanes Men's Ecosmart Hoodie

This dad hoodie is made with cotton sourced from American farms, featuring a dyed-to-match drawstring for the perfect fit. Soft and plush, this cozy hoodie is made of mid-weight cotton/poly fleece with up to 5% of the poly fibers.

The fleece in this classic hoodie is pill-resistant, super-soft, and made to keep its plush feel for a long time. And it will hold its shape thanks to ribbed cuffs and hem. Double-needle stitching at the neck and armhole seams further enhance quality and durability. In classic hoodie style, there's also a front kangaroo pocket. This is a soft, warm, fleece hooded sweatshirt to wear well and with pride.

Dearfoams Men's Papa Bear Slipper

Available in multiple colors to fit every papa bear in your life, these everyday slippers are perfect for a new dad to slide on when looking for some extra comfort for his well-deserving feet. Each slipper is fitted with a multi-density cushioned insole and topped with memory foam for a cloud-like feeling on your feet. Alternatively, be sure to check out this pair of "Best Dad" slippers.

Unisex LED Beanie with Light

This LED beanie helps keeps the new dad hands-free while walking the dog in the early mornings or nights, building nursery furniture, or baby-proofing the house. The knitted hat is made of an ultra-soft acrylic blend, providing just enough warmth.

With three adjustable brightness settings, the LED light inserted into the beanie cap contains four bulbs and claims to provide up to 4 hours of continuous use or 68 hours of realistic intermittent use. For care, just remove the light and wash it by hand or machine. This is an ideal gift for new dads to find their way in the dark or completing tasks in poorly lit environments.

 

Baby Gear

Happy! Baby Carrier

Baby carriers are versatile and practical tools that offer comfort, closeness, and convenience, making them an invaluable resource for new parents in their daily care of infants. It's something my husband and I wish we had sooner!

In particular, this lightweight, breathable carrier has a cult following—and for good reason. This soft structured baby carrier is a great gift for any new father, keeping them hands-free while spending quality time with the baby.

Introduced in 2016, the Happy! baby carrier is a stylish, comfortable, and fully adjustable baby carrier with a sleek and minimalistic design. Available in various colors and suitable for all weather types, this thoughtful gift helps dads keep babies close and comfortable without sacrificing a cool dad's personal style.

Mancro Diaper Bag Backpack

Especially as the baby transitions out of the newborn phase and starts venturing out with dad, this backpack is a convenient and organized way for new dads to carry essential baby care items on the go.

This lightweight diaper backpack is crafted with durable and water-resistant polyester and nylon fabric, featuring an extra-wide opening that makes it easy to find essentials in a pinch. The easy-grab handle with ergonomic design and thick padded shoulder straps make this a comfortable choice for new dads.

This backpack is designed to store diapers, wipes, bottles, baby food, changing pads, clothing, and other necessities, ensuring that parents are well-equipped to meet their baby's needs while away from home.

Portable Diaper Changing Pad

While on the go, a diaper changing pad will be essential for the new parent to keep in the car. This versatile diaper changing pad features two inner mesh pockets that can hold up to five diapers. It can be also used to store diaper rash cream, pacifier, toys, and other baby essentials.

Shynerk Baby Car Mirror

A car mirror is a must-have for every new dad. Aimed at making driving more comfortable and safe, this Shynerk baby car mirror enables dads to monitor the baby effortlessly by a quick glance of the rear view mirror instead of looking back.

 

Bed & Bath

The First Years Newborn to Toddler Baby Bath Tub

This bath tub grows with your child through three stages. The mesh sling cradles newborns to provide them with extra comfort and support while bathing. The added security of the form-fitting netting helps make bath time less stressful for both new parents and their newborn. This 3-in-1 bath tub also features a deep ergonomic design that holds a growing baby better during bath time.

Removing the sling gives you a baby tub with a comfortable recline and padded headrest. The specially designed bump built into the baby side of the tub will help keep that tiny bum from sliding down. Later, active toddlers can sit up comfortably and have room to play on the toddler side. The Sure Comfort’s grow-with-baby design ensures the new dad will be able to use this baby bathtub from infant through to toddler.

CETAPHIL Baby Wash & Shampoo Plus Body Lotion

While baths do not be too frequent during the first few weeks or months of the baby's life, any dad inevitably needs to be prepared to help bathe the baby. This two-part routine includes CETAPHIL Baby Wash & Shampoo and CETAPHIL Baby Daily Lotion, which work together to care for the baby’s sensitive skin and protect it from dryness.

Made with soothing calendula and a blend of skin-nourishing ingredients, this set is designed to make bath time a breeze and keep baby’s skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. These products contains no parabens, colorants, or mineral oil. Both are hypoallergenic, gentle, and safe for everyday use.

Babysense 5" HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor

Baby monitors serve as a crucial tool for parents and caregivers to keep a close watch on the new bundle of joy.

Unlike most standard baby monitors, this HD video baby monitor is equipped with 2 HD cameras and a split-screen feature, so dads can see both cameras or babies side by side on the same screen. The 720 HD image on the large 5" LCD display provides crystal clear secure viewing. This technology offers peace of mind, allowing parents to respond quickly to their child's needs.

Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine and Night Light

Many parents swear by a white noise machine to help their baby get some quality sleep, especially during the newborn stage. A sound machine is said to mimic the sounds of a mother's womb, providing comfort and helping to improve sleep quality. This is a great gift idea for the sleep-deprived dad.

 

Books

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook

Give the perfect gift for any dad-to-be to help them become an excellent first-time dad and a supportive partner with this go-to-guide to fatherhood. Being a great dad doesn't mean being perfect; it means participating in the experience with empathy and confidence. From the basics of pregnancy, to designing a birthing plan to tips on being helpful and supportive for their partner, We're Pregnant! provides all the need-to-know information on how to be a fully prepared parent.

Featuring must-ask questions for the doctor, milestone trackers, and more, this funny and friendly standout among dad pregnancy books also takes new dads beyond the due date, offering a helping hand on how to plan and perfect their own style of childcare.

You're Going To Be A Dad!: The New Dad's Guide To Pregnancy and The First Year of Fatherhood

This new dads survival guide features key stories and learnings from interviews with over 50 expectant dads and new fathers who have been through it all in their own unique way; dealing with morning sickness, doctors visits, getting the baby’s nursery ready, financial planning, packing the overnight bag, the challenges around baby bonding, mental health, and much more. This also includes learnings when parts of the pregnancy haven’t gone to plan.

How to Dad: An Illustrated Instruction Manual for First Time Fathers

A written reference book could never hope to cover every aspect of what it meant to be a dad. That's why this one has pictures. How to Dad is the perfect gift for new and soon-to-be fathers—because babies don't come with instructions (and if they did, you wouldn't read them anyway).

This funny, easy-to-digest book distills essential tips and tricks for caring for a new baby into detailed illustrations and simple descriptions of complex concepts. Starting with the positive pregnancy test and covering every major moment a new dad will encounter through their child's first birthday, this illustrated guide includes expert insight from doctors and specialists, as well as timeless advice from actual parents.

Dad Jokes: The Good, the Bad, and the Terrible

Help arm the new dad with the best (and worst) dad jokes. With over 600 knee-slappers, head-shakers, and groan-makers, Dad Jokes is packed with enough witty quips and cheesy-but-grate jokes for even the most embarrassing of dads.

Perfect for the father experts, new dads, grandpas, and all the fathers-to-be, this bestselling joke book is the ideal laugh-out-loud gift from any daughter, son, wife, or partner that celebrates how great (and terrible) their jokes truly are! Be prepared for the obvious, silly, and awkward in this massive collection of the best groan-worthy dad jokes around, including clever quips, overly literal dialogue, and punny one-liners.

Daddy And Me Children's Padded Picture Board Book: A Story of Unconditional Love

The little ones also need books! Beautiful illustrations paired with lively, rhyming text will keep babies entertained and engaged, while following along to this sweet woodland story. Join Little Bear as she plays, explores, and learns with her Papa Bear, while sharing lots of hugs and support along the way! This is a cute and cozy sturdy board book, perfect for story time or bedtime with dad.

Dad's Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family

The perfect gift for any new dad, this keepsake memory book is a special place to record special moments, stories, and advice to pass down to their children. What makes this journal special is that it is a guided journal thoughtfully designed to help dads of all ages write down memories that they want to preserve and share with their children and family.

Designed by bestselling artist and author Korie Herold, this keepsake book provides dads with thoughtful writing prompts and plenty of journaling pages to record memories from their childhood, school years, early adulthood, and more.

 

Food

DoorDash Gift Card

Any support with meals for a first-time father to a new baby is a great gift and can be just what the parents need. Especially when they may have been up all night long and need any chance they can get to get more rest and more sleep, preparing meals is likely the last thing on a dad's mind.

With DoorDash, new dads can take just a few minutes to order meals, helping the new moms, as well. The DoorDash app connects your favorite people with the foods they love from more than 310,000 local and national restaurants across 4,000 cities in the US and Canada. Gift food delivery for easier evenings, happier days, and more time to enjoy the people and things they love.

CookUnity Gift Card

Speaking of food, you can also consider gifting chef-crafted meals to help make life easier for the new dad. CookUnity delivers restaurant-quality meals based on what the dad prefers when signing up for this delivery service.

Unlike other meal kit subscriptions that still require chopping and cooking, CookUnity meals are delivered fresh and chilled, so that they're ready to heat-and-eat when you are. And if the dad is not able to finish meals by their “Enjoy Before” date, he can freeze them beforehand.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

The ultimate kitchen companion for new dads on the go! This versatile appliance is a game-changer, allowing you to whip up nutritious and delicious meals for the whole family with minimal effort. From perfectly cooked, time-saving dinners to hearty and healthy baby food, the Instant Pot is the culinary sidekick every new dad needs to make mealtime a breeze. Say goodbye to kitchen stress and hello to more quality time with the little one.

Home

SERWALL Oversized Rocking Chair

Some babies are fussier than others and require being outside in a new environment to feel better. Fussy or not, a change of environment can also be helpful for the new dad. This outdoor rocking chair can be the ultimate gift to not only help the dad calm down a fussy baby, but also allow the dad to take a break himself.

DEKOPRO 228-Piece Tool Kit

This high-quality tool kit is perfect for baby-proofing and home improvement. It includes tools a new dad may need for most small repairs and basic DIY projects around the house. It features an assortment of professional-grade wrenches, ratchets, a complete range of 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch metric-sized sockets and precision screwdriver, hammer, tape measure, pliers, wrench, and more.

KeaBabies Inkless Hand and Footprint Kit

Give the gift of personalized art prints for the new parent. This hand and footprint kit is designed to create a baby's hand and footprints without leaving ink residue on the baby’s hands and feet. This clean touch ink pads use a “zero ink contact” imprinting method to allow beautiful stamping of the baby’s hands and feet on art cards, memory book journals, and other paper-based baby keepsakes.

KeaBabies Baby Hand and Footprint Kit

This personalized baby photo frame uses air-dry clay to preserve baby prints. It comes with acrylic paint, paint brush, and a name/date printing kit.

 

Gifts for New Dads Bottom Line

Finding the best dad gifts is all about celebrating this incredible journey into fatherhood and making life a bit easier during those precious early moments. The best new dad gifts range from practical and functional to sentimental and heartwarming, catering to his unique needs and preferences. Whether it's a thoughtful parenting book to guide him through the challenges, a versatile baby carrier that strengthens the parent-baby bond, or an Apple Watch that adds a touch of convenience to the daily routine of dads who like new tech, the right gift shows your appreciation and support.

Remember that it's not just about the item itself but the sentiment behind it, acknowledging the new dad's role, responsibilities, and the love he pours into his family. As you explore the options for new dad gifts, consider his personality, interests, and needs, and you'll undoubtedly find the perfect way to celebrate and honor this remarkable phase of life. New dads, you've got this, and your loved ones are here to cheer you on!

Check out our best gift guides for the important guys in your life! Our guides on best gifts for grandpas, best gifts for brother-in-laws, best gifts for father-in-laws, gifts for doctors, and gifts for groomsmen while you're at it!

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Gifts for New Fathers

What do you get a new dad as a gift?

When choosing a gift for a new dad, consider items that can ease the transition into parenthood, such as a stylish and functional diaper bag or a sentimental keepsake like a custom picture frame for cherished memories. You can also opt for experiences like a relaxing spa day or a gourmet cooking class, allowing him to enjoy some well-deserved downtime before the baby arrives.

What do you get your dad for a baby shower?

For a dad-to-be at a baby shower, consider thoughtful and practical gifts such as a parenting book, a dad-centric diaper bag, or a cozy "Dad's Little Helper" T-shirt. These items can not only prepare him for the journey of fatherhood but also celebrate his important role in the upcoming arrival of the baby.

What should I put on my dad's baby registry?

When creating a baby registry for a dad-to-be, focus on items that cater to his needs and preferences, such as baby carriers designed with adjustable straps, diaper bags with a masculine design, parenting books written from a father's perspective, and practical gadgets that can make parenting tasks more efficient. Including items that reflect his unique role and style will make the registry more meaningful and helpful for the expectant dad.