When it comes to prepping for a new baby, dads-to-be are often tasked with instruction manual jobs. Jobs like “Install the car seat” and “Assemble the stroller.”
All while moms quietly take charge of adding cool baby gear to the registry.
That car seat? She chose it. The stroller? She’s been debating between an UPPAbaby Vista 3 and the Bugaboo Kangaroo for months. You don’t even know your Nuna from your Doona.
But it’s 2025! The baby stuff that saves your sleep, your sanity, and your living room from looking like a daycare? While moms already have it bookmarked, we say dads should want to know about it all, too.
Look, some baby items your partner will still want to choose (hello electric breast pumps). But it doesn’t hurt to arm yourself with intel so you can be the most engaged, informed dad-to-be.
These are the baby registry MVPs in 2025 to know about now.
Get familiar with the latest cool baby gear must-haves:
The Monitor: Nanit Pro Baby Monitor ($319)
The Carrier: Artipoppe Zeitgeist (starting at $420)
The Bassinet: Snoo Smart Sleeper ($1,695)
The Diaper Backpack: Dagne Dover Indi neoprene backpack ($tk price)
The High Chair: Lalo The Chair ($195)
The Swaddle: Halo SleepSack Swaddle ($35)
1. The Monitor
I was listening to Pod Save America a few weeks back, and during an interview with Chasten Buttigieg about his new children’s book, the host casually namedropped Nanit before backing up and using the term “baby monitor.”
I thought it was so interesting that in 2025, the Nanit is essentially the Kleenex of baby monitors.
And with good reason! The monitoring technology is top-tier cool baby gear, letting you track your baby’s breathing motion and sleep patterns, and view video in real-time—all on an app on your phone.
It’s a must-have for parents seeking a smarter, safer way to care for their little ones.
2. The Carrier
Sometimes products are so painfully cool, you assume there’s no way they live up to the hype.
Unfortunately, the Artipoppe is not one of them. The baby carrier worn by celebs like Gigi Hadid, Henry Golding, and Chrissy Teigen is blessedly easy to put on and looks cool af.
Sorry, we wish we could debunk this pricey purchase, but it’s got the #SGapproved seal of approval!
Recognizing that this is an investment piece, be sure to weigh in with a color or pattern you like as ideally you and your partner will both be wearing it a lot.
3. The Bassinet
Created by Dr. Harvey Karp, pediatrician and author of Happiest Baby on the Block, the Snoo might just save your relationship.
Like a night nurse you plug into the wall, the Snoo bassinet supercharges your baby’s sleep for the first six months with its gentle rocking and soothing motions.
Expensive? For sure. Effective? Absolutely.
Thankfully, there are options to rent, not to mention a thriving secondary market if you check Facebook and other social selling platforms.
Bottom line? Start selling your old baseball cards / plasma /car now if you must. Just get this bassinet.
4. The Diaper Backpack
True story: my husband and I forgot to bring a diaper bag to our first pediatrician’s appointment. She peed all over the exam table and he had to run to the bodega down the block to change her before we could leave.
Rookie mistake. It’s probably on our permanent record as parents, marked down with demerits in the depths of MyChart.
Don’t be like us. Get your diaper bag and stock it now. Our team likes Dagne Dover’s Indi backpack for its gender neutral appeal and slick neoprene exterior.
5. The High Chair
This 3-in-1 high chair grows with your kid, going from high chair to booster seat to play chair.
It also looks beautiful — like if Apple made baby stuff.
Not the most important thing, we suppose, but if your house is suddenly overrun with brightly colored kids’ gear, you may find yourself longing for thoughtfully-designed, streamlined aesthetics. Lalo fits the bill for cool baby gear you won’t want to hide away when visitors come over.
6. The Swaddle
It feels like a lot of guys think swaddling is the only way they can be useful as a new dad. One — not true!
You are also great for Target runs and refilling your partner’s water bottle.
And two — you don’t even have to master the art of the swaddle anymore. Nowadays, you can get away with outsourcing the wrap to this Velcro-enabled swaddle. There are plenty on the market, but HALO makes the best of the best. Ask for it in multiples on your registry.
