The Best Gifts for New Dads, Recommended by Parents

If the new dad in your life is a big reader (or wants to become one), a Kindle is a great gift idea. The ultra-thin, lightweight design can be taken with him almost anywhere (think: doctor’s offices, coffee shops, parks) and it won’t take up any extra room in his diaper bag. Other highlights include its waterproof shell, its long-lasting charge that works for up to 12 weeks and the glare-free screen for optimal reading on sunny days. Better yet, the brightness can be easily adjusted and is ideal for any lighting, so he’ll be able to read even during middle-of-the-night feeding sessions.

This monochrome navy blue baseball cap is the perfect way to celebrate low-key dads. It’s subtly embroidered with the phrase “cool dad” and the simple design will pair well with any outfit—even those haphazard ones in the first weeks of parenthood. Details he’ll love include the 100-percent cotton construction and the buckle closure for an adjustable fit. Whether he’s headed on a stroll with baby, running errands or hanging out with friends, this cool new dad present will be the perfect accessory.

Dad of two Calvin, a parent from The Bump community, told us that he considers a Hatch sound machine a must-have for new parents—and it’s easy to see why. The Hatch Baby may look cute, but it’s also highly practical. The clever device plays calming sleep sounds and offers a comforting glow to help baby (and Dad) relax ahead of bedtime. To establish a sleep routine from the get-go, it features time-for-bed and time-to-rise cues for little ones. Plus, it can be controlled via a mobile app, so you can soothe baby with a lullaby or bedtime story remotely. When purchasing the Hatch Baby, you’ll also receive full access to 6 months of guided support, including 1:1 chats with sleep consultants, baby sleep guides and more.

If Dad tunes into Thursday night football every week, what better way to include baby in the fun than with a onesie celebrating his favorite team. The NFL Shop offers bodysuits and other cozy newborn sleepwear styles for every team in the league. This set includes three rompers, each made of 100-percent cotton with fun printed graphics and featuring lap-shoulder necklines and three-snap closure bottoms for easy changes. dasaher, a parent from The Bump forums, says: “If I can figure out how to swing it (and I may not be able to), I'd like to get baby some Raiders onesies or something, since Daddy is a HUGE Raiders fan. [It’s] kind of one of those ‘kill two birds with one stone’ things!”

Another top-rated gift idea for new dads is a diaper bag. We like this stylish, unisex option from Dagne Dover. It’s made from stretchy neoprene, which is incredibly easy to clean, and has plenty of pockets. Other standout features include how it clips to strollers, comes with a changing mat and has an extra zipper opening for wipes.

While the bag alone is plenty, many gift-givers like to take things one step further and fill it up with little treats and parenting essentials. “I got my husband the diaper bag he wanted and filled it with both things for him and baby,” explains The Bump forum member Trgree1712. “Among the things for him were a nice bottle of scotch, cigars and a few snack items he likes. Then I added standard baby items: bibs, binkies, blankets, baby lotion and wash.” This present is a wonderful way to combine practicality with fun, personalized treats!

“If mom is nursing and feeding baby isn't an option, I focus on diaper duty, cleaning bottles or pump parts and getting baby to sleep,” explains Calvin, a dad of two. He told us that one essential item for new dads is the Baby Brezza Bottle Washer. This clever device washes, sterilizes and dries up to four baby bottles at a time and can also be used to clean pump parts and sippy cups. Thanks to this efficient device, Dad can spend less time washing up and more time with his little one.

“I think a daddy-and-me book is totally the best idea. From personal experience, there's nothing sweeter than seeing your [partner] and [little one] snuggled up, reading a book together,” says joyfullyfound—and we totally agree. One of our favorite options is Wonderbly’s Daddy's Magic Hugs for You, which celebrates the heartwarming bond between Dad and baby. When ordering this storybook, you can add names, write a loving dedication for the first page and choose the cover design. As an extra special touch, you’ll also be able to personalize Dad’s illustrated character.

Bonus: Use code BUMP25 to get 25 percent off two books at Wonderbly.

Looking for a thoughtful yet affordable gift for a new dad? Listen to this creative idea shared by new mom, Nicole. “For his first (expecting) Father's Day, I got my husband a blank book and wrote a note about how on future Father's Days, our child(ren) will write him a ‘card’ in this book instead of getting a traditional card each year.” How sweet is that? Any notebook will do, but we like this refillable leather-bound journal as it looks and feels like an heirloom. Plus, you can have your partner’s name or initials engraved on the front cover.

Many members of The Bump community forums mentioned that they gifted new dads college-related presents for a variety of reasons. Whether the dad-to-be is an avid sports fan or the new parents met as students, gifts related to their favorite university are surefire winners. This set of two glasses is an elevated take on the classic pint glass and features 360-degree artwork of your selected college. Decorated with your school’s colors, each cup features iconic buildings from your alma mater, team mascot and campus landmarks. It's a new dad gift that’s equal parts sentimental and practical.

“[My partner] has to wear a suit every day to work, so I found these cufflinks that can be engraved and open up like a locket where I will put [our little one’s] pictures inside. I know most guys don't really wear cufflinks anymore, but my husband does every day, so I know he'll love them,” shares forum member mgabel. Needless to say, new parents who regularly wear dress shirts and suits will undoubtedly appreciate this sweet gift idea that allows them to keep baby close by all day. These silver cufflinks can be customized with Dad’s initials and have space for two small photos to slot inside.

This sentimental first-time dad gift will help your loved one remember simple, precious moments throughout baby’s early days, months and years. The keepsake book includes 12 letters complete with helpful prompts where parents can record memories, big and small. Each one also comes with a corresponding envelope, so they can safely store them until the time comes to share them with their children.

Here’s a unique new father gift idea from forum member knottie86de2a207b1e6525: “I’m thinking of creating an Advent calendar style gift where he can open a drawer every day, or as needed, for a little pick-me-up in the weeks following delivery.” If you want to put together something similar, opt for this versatile organizer. It features 25 drawers and is made from unfinished wood, so you can customize it however you’d like. Better yet, it can be reused for years as an Advent calendar for the whole family. If you’re on the hunt for a daddy-to-be Christmas gift, this will be a winner.

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to choosing a present, thinking of your loved one’s hobbies (particularly those that you have in common) is a great place to start. For forum member Bethyboo26, that meant a unique board game. “I'm thinking of getting [my] husband something like a handcrafted cribbage board or something like that. We play cribbage together a lot, and I want to keep that up even after baby,” they shared. This set is available with 63 different national park engraving designs. It’s also travel-sized, so you can play it together on the go.

“Maybe get him a surprise Daddy-related onesie to bring baby home in,” suggests Mamabeagle. We can’t get enough of this cute, clever set from TrendyBuddyClothing on Etsy. The T-shirt for Dad has a simple screenprint of a full pizza minus a piece—and the onesie for baby features the missing slice. A wide range of colors, sizes and styles are available (including options for moms), so everyone can join in on the fun. No matter which you choose, you can count on the cotton design to be breathable and comfy.

This chain necklace from Oak and Luna exudes everyday luxury, and it’s a thoughtful present for any new parent. The simple, classic Figaro Chain design features a small pendant near the clasp that can be engraved with baby’s name. It comes in several metal options, including stainless steel, sterling silver and gold vermeil. No matter which option you choose, you can count on it to be a durable, timeless addition to Dad’s daily look.

“When my daughter was born, I gave my husband a Willow Tree statue titled ‘New Dad’ (we collect Willow Tree statues), a daddy-and-me frame (for him to take to work) and a book on becoming a new dad. He loved all three gifts, as he is a really sentimental guy,” shares forum member BecomingFamilyofFour. If the dad-to-be in your life is sentimental as well, this sweet keepsake will tick all the boxes on your list. The hand-painted sculpture depicts a father holding his newborn baby. It’s a thoughtful gift to commemorate this special moment in time.

A framed picture for baby’s room is another sentimental gift idea for first-time dads. This cheerful, modern nursery print reads “te amo,” which means “I love you” in Spanish and Portuguese. It’s an especially nice option for bilingual families. “English is not my husband's mother tongue, so I got a print for the nursery that says ‘I love you’ in his mother tongue,” shared forum member TomekiaB—which we thought was especially sweet!