Seattle Family Calendar
Subscribe
Welcome to the club
First-time moms get a lot of attention, as well they should; but first-time dads are on a pretty steep learning curve as well, and might not get quite as much recognition when they’re starting out.
Father’s Day is a great time to recognize the transition they’ve made into the Dad Club, whether with a new piece of technology that’s going to make life easier, or a keyring that will remind him of those cute baby feet every time he starts the car or opens the front door.
Up first: A diaper bag he won’t hate
A diaper bag he won’t hate
I used to think having two diaper bags was silly, but when we got a more gender-neutral option, my husband was clearly proud to sling it over his shoulder as he headed out the door with our daughter.
Diaper backpack options abound these days, so you can invest in a cool one for the first-time dad.
Elkin Diaper Backpack, $99, Product of the North
Up next: A helping tool
A helping tool
If the first-time dad in question is the resident baby shusher when your little one is having a hard time sleeping or needs special calming powers, give him a bonus tool, the highly rated Baby Shusher.
Baby Shusher, $34.99, Amazon
Up next: An old-fashioned way to capture those moments
An old-fashioned way to capture those moments
This is a sweet book of prompts you can give a first-time dad. He can write letters to his baby and they can open them when they’re older or all grown up. It’s an investment in future nostalgia, but perfect for those parents who feel like their baby’s early years are flying by too quickly.
“Letters to My Baby” book, $12.65, Amazon
Up next: Matching fashion
Matching fashion
Matching shirts can be cheesy, but a proud and excited first-time dad is sure to love this great Father’s Day present he can sport with his son or daughter.
Father and baby matching shirts, from $26, Amazon
Up next: A book to treasure
A book to treasure
Pinhole Press has lovely options for customizing photo gifts for any occasion. For Father’s Day, a new dad might enjoy a photo book that memorializes his newest role, even if you’ll have to be the ghostwriter for your little one.
“10 Reasons I Love You” photo book, $32.99, Pinhole Press
Up next: A sweet daily reminder
A sweet daily reminder
My husband received one of these for his first Father’s Day, but his was made of shrinky-dink material. If you aren’t the DIY type, you can purchase a custom-made durable option from Etsy. Simply send in a photo of your child’s handprint or footprint, along with their name and birthdate or a small phrase you want to include on the back.
Handprint keychain, from $35, Etsy
Up next: A book he can get on board with
A book he can get on board with
If the first-time dad in your life is a Jimmy Fallon fan, or even just appreciates a little humor, try this cheeky board book, “Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada.”
It’s also a good little book to start teaching babies animal sounds, in addition to their all-important first word, Dada.
“Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada,” $13.67 (paperback), Amazon
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in May 2019, and updated most recently in June 2023.
