When my husband and I became dads via surrogacy, we were overwhelmed by the input on what baby gear we would need. We wanted our son to have the best stuff, at reasonable prices and good value, and we wanted to make sure that the baby items we purchased were things we would actually need and use. From bottles to bassinets to the perfect diaper bag, it took months of trial and error to figure out what actually worked. This checklist is for any first-time dads out there—especially gay dads navigating parenthood through surrogacy or adoption. We’ve included the gear, gadgets, and everyday essentials we personally love and still use. No fluff, no nonsense. Just what works. Whether you're purchasing your own baby items, building a baby gear checklist, or adding baby essentials to your baby registry, consider the items we've shared below.