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The Gay Dad Baby Essentials (First Baby Registry Checklist)
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items 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 purcha...
Sections
10
Baby Sleep Must-Haves
Strollers, Car Seat, and On the Go Baby Gear
Diapering and Changing Favorites
Nursery Essentials
Baby Health and Safety Necessities
Best Items for Baby Feeding
Baby Sleep Must-Haves
Sleep was one of the biggest learning curves for us as new dads. We quickly realized that the right setup makes a huge difference. Our must-haves include safety first items and gadgets that we found to improve sleep (for the whole family).
A breathable durable mattress is key for safety and comfort. Our son sleeps so well on this one, and it's easy to care for with the separately purchased mattress covers.
Newton Baby Crib Mattress & Toddler Bed - Moonlight Grey
Here are the mattress covers to fit the mattress on our list. Get the 2 pack for easy changes/swaps.
Newton Baby Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad 2-Pack
Baby will sleep in your bedroom for the first few months, and we found this bassinet to be very handy. It's lightweight, rolls from room to room easily, and looks great too.
HARPPA Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper, 6 Height Adjustable Baby Bassinet for Infants, Grey
The Nanit lets you see baby from anywhere. This smart baby monitor has HD video, two-way audio, and an app with notifications about your baby's sleep and activity in the crib. We love it!
Nanit Pro Baby Monitor and Flex Stand, Provides 130° View, Portable
You need a great sound machine and this one does so much more! I want to keep one in our own bedroom! It has a nightlight with various colors and dimming, many sound options including lullabies and stories, and a time-to-rise / sleep routine trainer ...
Hatch Rest 2nd Gen All-in-one Sleep Assistant, Nightlight & Sound Machine
This portable sound machine has been great for in the stroller, car seat, or for when we roll the bassinet into another room. It's easy to use with a long lasting battery.
𝖧𝖺𝗍𝖼𝗁 𝖱𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖦𝗈 𝖨 𝖯𝗈𝗋𝗍𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝖲𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽 𝖬𝖺𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖡𝖺𝖻𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖪𝗂𝖽𝗌 𝖨 𝖡𝖺𝖻𝗒 𝖲𝗅𝖾𝖾𝗉 𝖲𝗈𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝟣𝟢 𝖲𝗈𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖲𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗌
In addition to the Nanit, you'll also want a portable baby monitor with a dedicated screen to carry around the house. We chose this 2 camera system because it's easy to move the camera to wherever he's napping, and it has great soothing features like...
VTech 2 Camera Video Baby Monitor with 7" Screen and Pan-Tilt-Zoom
We learned that baby needs a comfortable swaddle to sleep soundly. These SwaddleMe swaddles are easy to use and safe, with velcro and pocket folds. Our little guy sleeps so well in them.
SwaddleMe by Ingenuity Monogram Collection Swaddle Wrap, for Ages 0-3 Months - Dino Mite - 3pk
Another favorite swaddle of ours is from HALO. This version is a bit more expensive, and is more of a sleepsack that he can grow into. His legs can more around more, and there are arm holes so you can do one arm or both arms out if your baby prefers.
HALO Innovations Sleepsack 100% Cotton Swaddle Wrap - Clouds - NB
We LOVE the crib sheets from Kyte Baby. The bamboo rayon is so soft, and also hypoallergenic. There are tons of designs that can match any nursery - ours was fishing themed.
Crib Sheets from Kyte Baby (various designs, super soft bamboo rayon)
This infant sleepsack from Kyte matches his crib sheets and changing pad cover. We found this helps baby fall asleep (and stay asleep). There are lots of colors/designs to choose from. Start with XS size for infants.
Sleep Bag from Kyte Baby (many colors/designs available)
You'll need some traditional swaddles too. But they grow out of them fast, as soon as they start rolling, so these were reasonable and held up in the washing machine and dryer. Once they start rolling, switch baby to a velcro swaddle or sleepsack, al...
Muslin Swaddle Blankets for Newborn, 3 Pack
Our son LOVES his warmie! This plush toy is a mini blanket that is microwavable and helps comfort him when he's fussy.
Warmies Wrap | microwavable and scented for baby soothing
Your bassinet will be heavily used the first few months. Why not make it look good, too? We have a few sets of these bassinet sheets and they come in various styles and designs. We wash them constantly and they held up really well.
Bassinet Sheets 2-Pack - Ultra-Soft Jersey Knit
Strollers, Car Seat, and On the Go Baby Gear
We tried tons of baby gear and asked for lots of opinions and reviews before landing on what truly worked for us. Strollers and car seats are big investments, and the right ones have made dad life easier from day one. We chose products that were safe...
We went with the UPPAbaby Vista V3 Stroller after trying several options, and it has been worth every penny. Whether we’re using the included toddler seat, the matching car seat, or the bassinet, everything clicks in easily with one hand—no adapters,...
UPPAbaby Vista V3 Full-Size Stroller System
This car seat is so easy to install in any vehicle. The base stays in the car, and the seat clicks in safely and with no effort. Not only that, but it seamlessly clicks in to the stroller on our list, making travel so easy. People are amazed at how e...
UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Infant Car Seat
This bassinet, like the car seat, easily clicks in to the stroller (or stand-also on our list). No adapters needed! Our little guy is so comfortable in it.
UPPAbaby Bassinet V3 for Vista, Cruz, Ridge
We didn't purchase the stand right away, but after our son was about a week old, we decided to add it. We keep it in our living room and it looks great. It makes our life easy to be able to bring him in from a walk and just click the bassinet into th...
UPPAbaby Bassinet Stand - Quick Secure Grey
Don't forget to add a cupholder or two to your stroller. The UPPAbaby line of attachments like this one are awesome!
UPPAbaby Cup Holder for Vista, Cruz, Minu
You'll also want an alternative travel stroller. This one fits in the overhead bin on an airplane. It's lightweight and comes with a travel bag.
Colugo Compact Plus Travel Stroller - Black
Protect your leather seats from indents that a car seat will leave, or spills. We have one of these in each vehicle.
Munchkin Elite Seat Guardian - Vehicle Seat Protector (protect your leather seats from indents)
Keep an eye on baby in the back seat. This mirror mounts easily to your rear headrest so you can see baby in the rearview mirror.
Munchkin Brica 360° Pivot Baby In-Sight Adjustable Car Mirror - Black
This carrier is super-soft, ergonomic, and easy to use. He loves being close to his daddies in this carrier – it puts him right to sleep and we're able to use both hands while he naps.
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini Black Woven
Diapering and Changing Favorites
We love the Indi Diaper Bag because it looks nothing like a typical diaper bag. It has a clean, masculine design that dads (and moms) can carry anywhere without it screaming “baby gear.” It’s built from cushioned, easy-clean neoprene that wipes down ...
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack Large
Snag this smaller diaper bag for short trips! After diaper life, use it as a gym bag.
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall - Small diaper bag
We tried all the brands of diapers. Initially, Huggies wasn't high on our list, but they are hands down our favorite. They work the best (less blowouts and leaks), fit our son most comfortably (less diaper rash), and huge plus – they are very afforda...
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers (our favorite, and we tested lots)
We wanted a second changing table for the first floor in our home. We selected this one because it is solid wood, has storage shelves and has a design easy to match with any room. Great price too!
Storkcraft Pasadena Black Changing Table
We found the Pampers Pure wipes to be the best baby wipes for us. No alcohol, fragrance, parabens, and latex.
Pampers Aqua Pure Baby Wipes Unscented, 99% Water
Do yourself a favor and stock up this cart with all your diaper supplies. Then roll it from room to room for easy changing with everything you need nearby.
3 Tier Metal Utility Cart for diaper supplies - Brightroom
It's dark at 3am. But you'll need a little light near your changing table area and/or bassinet for those late night changes. We love this portable and rechargeable lamp from Target. It can move easily wherever you need it, gives off an ample but soft...
Rechargeable Cordless Lamp for Baby Changing Table Area
I thought "do we really need a diaper pail"? YES, yes you do! Diapers in the regular garbage stink-literally! We have one of these by each changing table and haven't smelled a stinky diaper since. The bags are easy to change, too.
Diaper Genie Platinum Diaper Pail with Easy Roll Bags
Matching our nursery theme of fishing, we went with this changing pad cover from Kyte. Just like everything else from them, it's soft, high quality, and looks great. They have dozens of colors and designs. Get a few for easy change outs, and place a ...
Kyte Baby Change Pad Cover (various colors/designs)
If you're having a boy, grab these! Put in place during diaper changes to prevent pee from getting on the wall, on you, or on anything nearby!
Peepee Teepes! Baby Boy Pee Covers (10 pcs)
Line these under crib sheets and changing pad covers, and stash some in your diaper bag. Life savers!
100 Pack Disposable Baby Changing Pads 17x13"
Nursery Essentials
When we started planning the nursery, we wanted furniture that would last well beyond the baby phase. We skipped the flimsy pieces and focused on quality and function.
We added a comfortable and functional nursery glider that looks more like a piece of living room furniture than something temporary.
CHITA Power Recliner Swivel Glider Chair
This crib converts into a toddler bed, so it will grow with our son.
Mid-Century Convertible Crib
This dresser is solid wood with deep drawers that can handle everything from tiny onesies to future big kid clothes. We selected furniture that would last well beyond the baby phase
Gemini 6-Drawer Changing Table (56")
This mini nursery library is so cute. We filled it with books and there is a toy storage space below the bookshelves.
Mid-Century Toy Dump w/ Bookrack
How cute are these!? We chose the bass fishing/lake theme baby mobile. This Etsy seller hand makes mobiles using high quality felt materials. Everyone that comes in the nursery is amazed by this piece and baby loves it!
Handmade Themed Crib Mobiles from DecorOfFelt on Etsy
Don't forget a lamp for the nursery. We found this one matched our mid-century furniture and was reasonably priced.
Mid Century Nursery Table Lamp, 17.5" Tripod Base
We found some great framed prints and wall art for baby's nursery from this brand on Wayfair. We ordered a 4 pack of various colorful fish prints and they came with beautiful frames - all for a really good price.
Nursery Wall Art from SIGNLEADER
If you're like us, you have an Alexa device in almost every room, so you'll need one in the nursery too. You can ask Alexa to play a lullaby or white noise, and kids can ask Alexa to play music, read a story, get help with homework, and more.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids
Baby Health and Safety Necessities
We learned quickly that preparation makes all the difference. Having the right baby health and safety items will give you peace of mind and keeps baby safe. We focused on practical, reliable products that make daily routines easier while reducing ris...
A perfect starter set for newborn medicine needs. It includes 6 products to help relieve baby’s most common symptoms
Little Remedies New Baby Essentials Kit
Our little guy was gassy and that meant less sleep – until we found these! They were a life saver. I was told they work by “breaking up the gas” and we noticed an immediate improvement. They are included in the New Baby Essentials Kit, but buy more! ...
Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops for Babies (a life saver for gassy babies!)
A go-to for dry skin, chapped lips, or diaper area irritation, this multi-use ointment is gentle, effective, and lasts forever. You can put this all over baby!
Aquaphor Baby Value Size Kit
When Aquaphor isn't enough for stubborn rashes, this cream clears them up fast and creates a barrier to protect sensitive skin.
Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Cream
Perfect for sink baths, this adjustable tub supports your baby through every stage and makes bath time simple and safe.
Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Baby Bath Tub
A cute floating seal that doubles as a thermometer so you always know the bath water is the right temperature.
Digital Baby Bath Thermometer and Floating Toy
This bath set (matches the tub on our list) keeps parents comfortable with a padded kneeler and elbow rest – making rinsing and cleanup easy.
Skip Hop MOBY Baby Bath Essentials Set
A stress-free way to trim tiny nails safely without nicks or sharp edges.
Frida Baby Electric Nail File and Buffer Set, Fingernail Clippers Alternative
Clears stuffy noses quickly and gently, making breathing easier and sleep better for everyone.
Braun Electric Nasal Aspirator for Newborns
The gays love our Kiehl's! The maker of the same products we use for our adult skincare, makes this gentle lotion for baby's face and body – a must have.
Nurturing Baby Cream for Face & Body – Baby Lotion from Kiehl’s
A great way to test out which pacifier your son or daughter will like. Once you find the one they will take, buy multiple
Babylist Pacifier Sampler Box
The only pacifier our newborn accepted, designed to fit tiny mouths comfortably and support oral development.
Chicco PhysioForma Mini Orthodontic Pacifier 0-2m 2 pack
A sturdy, no-drill safety gate that auto-closes behind you. We have two of them, securing both sides of our staircase.
Babelio Baby Gate Auto Close, Pressure Mount
One of our favorites! We started taking our son to hockey games at a month old. These lightweight, adjustable ear protection headphones keep baby comfortable and calm during loud events like sporting events or concerts.
Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection Headphones
All the Copper Pearl stuff is so well made, and these are so comfy for baby who hates to be cold after a bath.
Premium Hooded Bath Towels for Baby - Copper Pearl (various styles)
Specially formulated for baby clothes, this gentle detergent cleans thoroughly while staying safe for sensitive skin.
Dreft Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent
Best Items for Baby Feeding
Whether you’re using formula, breast milk, or a mix of both, these essentials simplify feeding and make it a more relaxed experience for you and your baby.
We love Dr. Brown's, and this set will get you started with all the essentials. These bottles help reduce gas and fussiness with an internal venting system, and the durable glass design makes them easy to clean and long-lasting.
Dr. Brown's Anti-Colic Options+ Glass Baby Bottles - Starter Set
No mixing required, and store at room temperature. Just screw on a nipple, and you're ready to feed! In the newborn stage, this was so great – made life easy and got baby fed (and happy) quickly. We found Walmart to have the best price on this formul...
Our Favorite Formula: Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive Ready-to-Feed
The nipples and screw tops from these bottles fit right on the ready to feed Similac bottles. Makes feeding super easy! Plus, the glass bottles are non-toxic.
Dr. Brown’s Narrow Baby Bottle (fits the ready to feed formula bottles)
We didn't think we would need one of these at first. We were wrong. You can't microwave formula, and you'll start buying it in larger quantities, which means refrigerating it. You'll need to warm that up for baby to take the bottle (warm formula also...
Dr. Brown's Baby Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
Thick, absorbent, and soft against baby’s skin, these stylish burp cloths hold up through countless washes and messes. Copper Pearl stuff for the win!
Premium Burp Cloths - Copper Pearl (various styles)
Functional and fashionable, these bibs keep drool and spit-up under control while adding a cute touch to every outfit.
Baby Bandana Bibs - Copper Pearl (various styles)
This machine preps perfectly mixed, warm bottles in seconds, saving time during late-night feeds and busy mornings. Just be sure to clean it properly and calibrate it occasionally too.
Baby Brezza Pro Advanced Formula Dispenser
A sturdy, beautifully built chair that grows with your child, offering comfort, easy cleaning, and long-term use from infancy to toddlerhood.
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair 6-36 Months
Add this on the previously mentioned high chair, and now you have made it functional for the newborn stage. Plus, LIFE HACK— this will allow you to feed your newborn with a single hand. That’s a game changer! We fed our son bottles in this seat quite...
Stokke Tripp Trapp Newborn Set - Infant Seat
Supportive and comfortable for bottle feeding anywhere, this pillow makes holding and positioning baby easy whether you’re on the couch or in a chair.
Boppy Pillow - Ergonomic Feeding Pillow
Prevent the mess! Comfortable, flexible, and easy to wipe clean, these silicone bibs catch every spill, roll up neatly for meals on the go, and can go right in the dishwasher. A big yes!
PandaEar Set of 3 Silicone Baby Bibs
Plant-based and fragrance-free, this soap cuts through milk residue fast and rinses clean without harsh chemicals.
Dapple Baby Bottle and Dish Soap
A powerful yet baby-safe stain remover that instantly tackles food, formula, and grease stains without damaging fabrics.
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray for Baby & Kids
Baby Play Time Gear
We chose play gear that keeps our son engaged, curious, and moving. Playtime has become one of our favorite parts of the day, and we’ve learned how important the right toys are for development. We also focused on quality and design, selecting durable...
A beautifully designed activity gym that keeps baby engaged with developmental toys and sensory play that grow with each stage.
Lovevery Play Gym - Award Winning Baby Play and Tummy Time Mat
We LOVE the Lovevery stuff. This collection of toys is designed to develop visual tracking and hand-eye coordination. They have something for every stage.
Lovevery The Looker Play Kit - Baby Learning Toys
This play set for baby is soft, engaging and reminds me of something we used to play with as children. We got it as a gift and our son LOVES it! We call it “educational toybox” and all the components are well made and it includes a travel bag.
Bright Beginnings Baby Toy Bundle by Domino & Juliette
This thing is cool and it soothes baby really well! The swing mimics natural rocking motions and you can adjust speed, sound, and motion.
UPPAbaby Mamaroo Smart Swing
Lightweight and portable, this ergonomic bouncer keeps baby comfortable and entertained while giving parents a hands-free moment. We move it from the living room, to the home office (when baby supervises our work).
BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss - Adjustable & Portable
Attaches easily to the previous item and keeps little hands busy with colorful, safe toys that encourage reaching and grasping.
BabyBjörn Toy for Bouncer
Recommendation for any teething kid. Sophie is a classic favorite that soothes sore gums, encourages chewing, and is easy for tiny hands to hold.
Sophie la girafe | Toy for Teething Babies
A soft, supportive prop that helps baby strengthen neck and core muscles while staying comfortable during tummy time.
Boppy Tummy Time Prop Pillow
A heartwarming story that celebrates all kinds of families and is especially meaningful for two-dad households.
Love Makes a Family Book
A touch-and-feel favorite that encourages early learning and keeps babies engaged with different textures and colors.
Tails Book
Our Favorite Baby Clothing
Baby clothes don’t need to be complicated, but they should always be soft, comfortable, and easy to clean. Our favorites are made from bamboo rayon, which is breathable, temperature-regulating, and feels amazing against a baby’s skin. The fabric hold...
Soft, breathable, and long-lasting, these bamboo footies are cozy enough for sleep yet durable enough for daily wear.
Caden Lane Zipper Footies - various styles
Made from buttery-soft bamboo material, these zip-up sleepers are comfortable, easy to change, and even coordinate with matching crib sheets.
Kyte Baby Zippered Footie - various styles
They offer endless prints (very cute, for every season and occasion) and double zipper that makes diaper changes quick and hassle-free.
SpearmintLOVE 2-Way Zip Romper - various styles
Anything Hanna Andersson is built to last, so you can pass it down or even sell it used (they have a used baby clothes marketplace right on their site).
HannaJams Sleeper - various styles
Cute, masculine designs and soft, stretchy fabric make these sleepers both stylish and practical.
Burlbo Baby Zip Ups - various styles
You can’t have too many of these. Get several in newborn size, and bring a few in 0-3 months if you’re expecting a larger baby. They are a great deal in this 2 pack at Target!
Carter's Just One You Sleep N' Play Onesies 2 pack (bring several of these)
Everyday essentials at a great price, these onesies are soft, durable, and perfect for layering.
Gerber Baby Boys' 5-Pack Long-Sleeve Onesies
The Best App to Share Baby Photos with Family
This family photo sharing app is a must have! Parents and grandparents will cherish everything you share to it, and you'll do so securely, without the burden of mainstream social media or group chats. A must have for new parents!
You're going to take LOTS of photos of your precious new addition. If you're like us, you don't want to share all of them on social media, and group chats can be annoying. So this app made it very simple to invite family to a private, secure album of...
Share Baby Photos with Friends and Family - without social media or group chats
What to Bring to the Hospital for Surrogacy Birth
As gay dads, your hospital experience will be a little different than other parents. Here's a separate list (CLICK THE LINK) of recommendations about what you should pack in your hospital bag as gay dads expecting a surrogacy birth.
Check Out Our Other List - What to Bring to the Hospital for Surrogacy Birth (as Gay Dad Intended Parents)
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