Gift Ideas for a New Dad

Becoming a father is an exciting event. Although much of the attention is on the new mother during this time, it's just as important to give some special attention to the father. You can make your new dad gift part of a baby shower gift for both parents, or you can give special attention to your favorite new father after the baby is born.

1. Books for new Dads
Before the baby is born, a new dad may be full of questions and concerns. You can calm his worries with a book. Dozens of books speak directly to new fathers. Some of them focus on the pregnancy itself, such as My Boys can Swim!: The Official Guy's Guide to Pregnancy by Ian Davis. Books like this help men understand that changes that their wives are going through during the nine months of pregnancy. Your favorite new dad also needs a book to help him deal with the first months of his new son or daughter's life. Father's First Steps by Robert Sears and Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenburg are books devoted to helping a father care for his new baby.

2. Masculine Diaper Bag
If the gift recipient isn't the reading type, there are many more options for you to choose from. A new dad will no doubt be taking his new son or daughter out from time to time. Give him something stylish and manly to carry diapers and wipes around with. There are a lot of diaper bags and backpacks that are sleek and non-threatening to even the manliest of men. He'll appreciate being able to have his own bag to use that isn't pink or frilly.

3. Cameras and gadgets
If you are pooling your money with other gift givers, you can always give the ultimate in new dad gifts – a digital camera with video capabilities. A new dad has a lot of smiles, giggles and milestones to catch on film in the coming years. Help him capture his child's first moments with the gift of a camera.

4. Masculine Baby Carrier
For a lot of dads, caring for a baby means carrying a baby around. There are a lot of flowery, feminine slings out there, but most dads will want their own baby carrier. Baby backpacks will securely carry a baby without subjecting a dad to something pink and embarrassing. Manufacturers such as Eddie Bauer and Snugli make masculine looking baby carriers.

5. Safety Gear
Dads are often concerned about safety, and you can speak to this need by giving him a special gift. A baby first aid kit includes things like tweezers, nail trimmers, a thermometer, a nasal bulb, a medicine dropper and all of the other things that new parents need to keep their baby healthy. Even though the new baby won't be crawling around for the first few months, giving baby proofing items is a great way to calm a new dad's worries. Give him a fridge lock, cabinet locks and other common baby proofing items so he'll have them on hand as soon as he needs them.