Life can be easier for men than women in so many ways. For one, men don't get their period every month, so they have absolutely no concept of the PMS (or PMDD) that can affect a woman's health. Also, they don't have to go through labor and delivery. Imagine that! It's a woman who carries a baby for 40 weeks, grows it, nurtures it, feels all the (not always so) fun side-effects of pregnancy, and gets to go through the insanely intense birthing process. The list of what women experience in life versus what men do would honestly make for a long slideshow. (As if there was really any doubt that #GIRLS run the world!)
Another thing that women tend to take control of is the baby registry. Of course, both mom and dad head on over to BuyBuyBaby and test out some gear together, but when it comes to breast pump accessories or which bathtub to purchase, men can be out of the loop.
Well, maybe they need to become a little more in the loop! Parenting responsibilities — with the exception of actual breastfeeding — should be a shared endeavor. (Even if it's co-parenting!) It takes two to tango and make a baby, and taking care of, nurturing, and giving the baby everything it needs and more should fall on both parents.
Let's give the dads a little more say when it comes to the registries. It's time to get them more excited about things they'll get to use when the baby comes. Dads, we thank you for all you do! And now, check out the list below to browse and see the must-have items to add to the baby's registry.
Maxi-Cosi Magellan 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
From when LO is an infant, and all the way up to 10 years old, the Magellan 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is a must. Dad will love that it's tested beyond US safety standards and armed with Maxi-Cosi’s patented Adjustable Side Impact Protection to keep baby secure. Safety first!
Maxi-Cosi Magellan 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat ($350, BuyBuyBaby)
Regalo Indoor Safety Gate
Regalo Baby has a good selection of safety gear for babies and toddlers. Dads will love how easy it will be to install any of their safety gates — a must for any registry!
Regalo Indoor Safety Gates (Prices vary, Amazon)
Cybex Balios S Stroller
Mom will love the chic and stylish design, while dads will dig the suspension on this Balios S stroller. The all-terrain wheels offer a smooth and agile ride, no matter where the family goes traveling.
Cybex Balios S Stroller ($400, Bed, Bath and Beyond)
Go With Me Chair
Picnics, soccer games, or a barbecue in the yard — dad can make sure his little one comes along! The Go With Me Chair accommodates babies as young as 3 months, all the way to 75 pounds.
Baby Delight Go With Me Chair ($70, Walmart)
Skip Hop Paxwell Easy-Access Backpack
Who said moms have to carry all of the things that make being a parent so much fun? Skip Hop's Paxwell Easy-Access Backpack is one part diaper bag, one part super cool carryall. It's lightweight with a ton of compartments and the sporty look is one that dad will love.
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Skip Hop Paxwell Easy-Access Backpack ($75, Amazon)__
Chicco Backpack Carrier
Let's go, dads! The backpack carrier's lightweight aluminum frame, padded shoulder straps, adjustable belt straps, and energy-absorbing lumbar padding reduce the strain on backs and shoulders, and the freestanding design makes loading and unloading the kiddo effortless. The height-adjustable seat supports children as they grow.
Chicco SmartSupport Backpack Carrier ($130, Chicco)
Touchland Power Mist
Seems like the most common of items — hand sanitizer — has lost its way from the baby registry lists. Touchland Power Mist moisturizes hands instead of drying them out, making the cost worthwhile. All formulas are paraben, triclosan, and benzalkonium chloride free, and come in delicious fragrances such as aloe vera, watermelon, forest berry, mint, citrus, vanilla cinnamon, lavender, and neutral.
Touchland Power Mist ($12, Touchland.com)
Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor
For the tech-loving papa, the Nanit Plus is the most advanced nursery camera on the market. A super powered HD camera detects motion and Nanit then uses that data to track and understand a baby's sleep. From there, parents receive time-lapsed day and night summaries so they can see their baby's entire day in less than a minute. There are a ton of other features to check out as well.
Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor ($299, Amazon)
Precidio Snack in the Box
Be the coolest dad on the playground with this really fun snack container. It features two separate chambers, each holding 6 ounces of snack. Keep food from being crushed or mushed on the go!
Precidio Snack in the Box (from $10, Amazon)
Baby Brezza Bottle Sterilizer
Maybe dads can't always help if mama is breastfeeding, but they sure can help with the cleaning! Baby Brezza's Baby Bottle Sterilizer automatically sterilizes and dries baby bottles in one step in just eight minutes. Natural steam — without chemicals — kills 99.9% of germs.
Baby Brezza Bottle Sterilizer ($100, BuyBuyBaby)
Tranquilo Mat
Tranquilo Mat is the first portable soothing mat that uses vibrations and white noise to help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The mat mimics the sounds and motions of the womb. Dad to the rescue!
Tranquilo Mat ($80, Amazon)
Boppy Newborn Lounger
No registry is complete without this brand on its list. Especially for dads, the Boppy Newborn Lounger keeps the baby safely nuzzled, leaving dad hands-free. Babies can watch the game with dad, or say cheese while he snaps those photos.
Boppy Newborn Lounger ($33, Target)
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Complete Rash Kicking Kit
All in a dad day's work! Boudreaux's Rash Kicking Kit houses the Original and Maximum Strength formulas, plus the all new all new Boudreaux’s Butt Brush (an innovative, silicone applicator). The kit has everything needed to kick diaper rash fast!
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Complete Rash Kicking Kit ($14, Amazon)
Frida Baby's Bitty Bundle of Joy
Check out this all-in-one supply kit! From hospital to home, this useful kit contains the NoseFrida, Windi the GassPasser tubes, NailFrida the SnipperClipper Set, and Fridet the MomWasher (for mom!).
Frida Baby's Bitty Bundle of Joy ($50, Amazon)
Romp and Roost
Romp and Roost has versatile divider, creating a large space, or two smaller spaces for more than one child. Whether lounging at home or headed on a trip, set it up in a snap for the ultimate rest or play, no matter where.
Romp and Roost ($240, BuyBuyBaby)
Google Home
Google Assistant, available through Google Home, helps parents in all sorts of ways! With Baby Stats, track feedings and diapers, ask Google to play baby and toddler music, or say the alphabet, or even read nursery rhymes.
Google Home ($100, Best Buy)
Yookidoo Activity Center
With more than 20 developmental activities, the Yookidoo Playmat has a tummy time pillow, a large mirror, magic motion track with a car, and more. Dads can take a little break, while their little keeps occupied.
Yookidoo Activity Center ($100, Amazon)
Keekaroo Peanut Changer
No matter where travels take the family (even if it's within the house), a Keekaroo Peanut Changer comes along. Unlike any other changing pad, the outer shell is impermeable to any fluid, keeping clean up easy — hooray for dad!
Keekaroo Peanut Changer ($130, Amazon)
Dynarex Disposable Underpad
Sure, maybe it's not a conventional registry item, but dads will really be the heroes with these disposable pads. Great for any changing table, they eliminate the need to consistently switch out sheets. Complete convenience.
Dynarex Disposable Underpad ($14, Amazon)
Safety 1st Auto Sensor Night Light
Perfect for the baby's room or for the hallway on the way to the baby's room (since dad will be making that trek often!). These LED night lights turn on only when there's no natural light and don't get hot to the touch.
Safety First Nightlight ($8 for a 2-pack, BuyBuyBaby)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.