Designing physical products, and bringing them to life, is a beast. Especially for guys who’ve spent most of their careers focused on digital goods and services.

But it’s truly a labor of love — there’s something special about seeing something that was once a dream arrive on pallets that get dropped on your front lawn (my house is our warehouse).

And it’s beyond rewarding to hear from customers that our products are helping them out as parents. Here’s recent customer Sho on her Fathercraft Bag…

With our second bag, the sling, we wanted to focus on a few things:

• A smaller size. The original bag is big. Intentionally so—as you saw in Sho’s review, kids, especially when there are multiple kids, require an immense amount of stuff. And, we hear from people who use their Fathercraft Bag on international flights, long car trips, and all-day outings. But with the sling, we wante something that was grab-and-go for day trips, errands, and popping over to a friend’s house or the park.
• Affordability. The original bag ain’t cheap. We totally get that, but we weren’t willing to sacrifice features or premium materials in the big one. With the sling, we were able to keep build quality extremely high, but the price will be a lot more affordable because it’s a smaller, simpler bag.
• Thoughtful design inside and out. The feedback we’ve gotten from parents on the first bag on thoughtful organization, features that get used, and styling that stands out from typical diaper bags was instrumental in how we went about designing the sling.

All right, on to the updates…

Final testing is complete. Before we bring a product to our customers, it goes through the wringer. This takes time and money to go through multiple iterations, but we’re obsessed with building awesome stuff. Here’s my daughter Ruby with an early prototype:

And here’s co-founder Mark testing in the Arizona desert:

We’ve found some kinks along the way, and fixed them. Here’s Mark describing an issue with the original quick-release buckle (now replaced with an upgraded buckle):

Production has begun. Our factory, which is in Vietnam, is actively working on the bag. (Thank goodness, for tariff reasons, that we again chose Vietnam over China to make the second bag.) We expect our first production run to complete in early-to-mid May.

Product photography and videography is in flight. Here are a few of my favorites so far…

Pricing update. Again, we are working hard to make the sling as affordable as possible. Tariffs aren’t helping. Inflation isn’t helping. We’re still working on what our retail price will be. BUT, we are ready to guarantee that you’ll be able to get the sling for less than $90 if you grab our early bird pricing tier on Kickstarter. To make sure you can do this, head over to our Kickstarter pre-launch page and click/tap, “Notify me on launch” button, and sign up for Kickstarter updates if you haven’t.

Timing update. We are working our tails off to try and get this bag in everyone’s hands by Father’s Day. We think this will be possible for U.S. Kickstarter backers (though, we, like other brands, are somewhat at the mercy of the state of the global supply chain. We’ll keep you posted!

That’s it for today! We hope you love this sling as much as we do. Questions? Comments? paul [at] fathercraft.com

We know you’re excited for your new baby. We’d also guess you’re pretty overwhelmed and wondering just how much money you’re going to spend (been there, done that). The good news? You can manage that overwhelm (and expenses) if you know what you really need. 

Spoiler alert: You don’t need everything social media insists you need.

In the beginning, your newborn needs to be able to safely eat, sleep, move, bathe, and poop (there’s a lot of poop). So, let’s start with the baby essentials. Then we’ll explore “nice to have,” but you can live without.

On our newborn and baby essentials checklist:

• Your essentials for feeding, sleeping, moving, bathing, and pooping
• Nice-to-haves and unexpected MVPs 
• The sh*t you don’t need (so you can mark it off your list) 
• Bonus: postpartum recovery and education essentials 

Please note Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

How did we decide what’s essential vs. what’s “nice to have?”

For an item to be deemed essential:

• At least one of the four parents building this list must have personally used it (and used it a lot)
• It has to provide serious value by either making your life or the baby’s life easier (or, in a lot of cases, both!)

Here are those parents:

We also reached out to our Fathercraft community to make sure we didn’t miss anything. Trust us, you’re in good hands.

Heads up: This baby essentials list takes about 15 minutes to read from start to finish. In addition to the basic essentials, we have sections for “nice to haves” and things you definitely don’t need. Plus, we give you some reasons why certain things are considered essential plus tips for using them. Don’t have that kind of time? We get it. Bookmark this page and come back to it as needed.

Baby essentials for feeding

Your essentials will look different depending on if you plan to breastfeed, formula feed, or some combination of both.

No matter how you choose to feed your baby:

1. Bottles

If breastfeeding:

1. Breast pump
2. 2-3 nursing bras
3. Milk storage
4. Nipple balm
5. Breast pads

If formula feeding or combo feeding:

1. Formula

Unexpected MVP: grass drying rack

If you or your partner is planning to breastfeed, you’ll need a few items to make sure you can remove and store your milk when you’re away from your baby. And, trust Kristan and Brittnee on this one, you will need a good nipple balm, especially in the first few days. We like the “Calm Your Nip” balm from Honest or the Sore Nipple set from frida, which includes balm and saline spray. 

And no matter how you feed your baby, you’ll likely need bottles. We recommend investing in a few 4oz bottles that work for you and baby. Our unexpected MVP is the Boon “grass” drying rack, which makes it easy to set small bottle parts out to dry. 

There are a few more things that can make feeding easier… 

Nice-to-haves when feeding baby: 

Bottle warmer 

We like the Momcozy bottle warmer, which makes it super easy to set it and forget it (for approximately six minutes). Customize your settings based on how much milk you’re warming and the material of your bottle—then, Momcozy does the rest for you. 

Wearable pump 

We’ve tried the Willow 360, Willow Go, and the Elvie here at Fathercraft. One of our writers (Kristan) currently uses the Willow Go as her only pump, and she loves it. We’ve found wearable pumps can efficiently collect milk while you’re up on and on the go, which comes in handy if you’re working, adventuring, or have older children (so… working and adventuring!).

Willow Go

This totally hands-free, easy-to-use breast pump is our favorite wearable, coming in a bit cheaper than the Willow 360.

$349.99

Shop Now Read Our Review

Babybrezza Formula Pro Advanced

It’s a Keurig for babies! Seriously, if you’re going to be formula feeding, the Babybrezza Formula Advanced Pro makes mixing and warming bottles a lot easier. Like… perfectly mixed and warmed bottle in less than 20 seconds kind of easy. The newer models can even be controlled from your phone.

Sterilizer 

You’re going to spend a lot of time washing and sterilizing baby things. It’s perfectly fine to use boiling water to sterilize, but having a fancy machine that does it for you comes in handy, especially if you’re pumping. Our Fathercraft community likes this Clean Steam sterilizer from Dr. Brown’s.

Nursing tanks/shirts 

You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to nurse your baby, but having 2-3 nursing tanks and 1-2 nursing shirts on hand can make public outings easier. 

Nursing cover (if preferred) 

Fun fact: You (or your partner) have the legal right to breastfeed, covered or uncovered, in all fifty states. So, you don’t need this, but depending on personal preference, you may want it. The Cocoon from We Are Amma is popular here at Fathercraft (both Kristan and Brittnee purchased it on their own dime and used it), because it’s breathable, lightweight, and honestly pretty cute. Plus, it doubles as a nice baby blanket. 

What you don’t need to feed a baby:

Baby “food” or rice cereal 

…At least, not for the first 4-6 months. And when you introduce food to your baby (around the six-month mark), you may opt for baby-led weaning, where your baby essentially eats modified versions of whatever you eat. This is ultimately up to you, but you can at least rest easy knowing you don’t need to stock up on liquified peas for another few months. 

Baby sleep essentials 

1. 2-3 velcro swaddles
2. Bassinet
3. 2-3 bassinet sheets
4. Crib
5. 2-3 crib sheets
6. breathable crib mattress
7. Sound machine
8. 3-5 pacifiers (if you plan to use) 
9. 6-8 pairs of zipper pajamas 
10. 2-3 sleep slacks 
11. Baby monitor
 

Unexpected MVP: blackout curtains 

For the first few months, your baby will likely sleep next to your bed in a bassinet at night (the AAP recommends room sharing for the first six months up to one year). But you might start practicing daytime naps in the crib. The key? A solid sleep environment and comfortable clothing. 

Between the four of us, most of our babies enjoyed being swaddled in a dark room (thanks, blackout curtains!) with white noise. Why? The womb is basically dark, cramped, and noisy… so we’re going for those vibes.  We recommend using velcro swaddles (we like this five-second-swaddle from Happiest Baby), because babies can easily break out of the muslin swaddling blankets. 

You’ll also want a monitor to keep an eye on them—we’ve listed our favorites here. We’re really big fans of the Nanit, but you can opt for something much more basic (and affordable). 

Nanit baby monitor

The Nanit is our favorite, tried & true smart monitor.

$299+

Shop Now Read Our Review

Nice-to-have’s for baby sleep:

“Smart” bassinet or crib

Your bassinet doesn’t have to be smart, but we’ve tested both the Snoo and Cradlewise here at Fathercraft, and we got better sleep with both. The Cradlewise actually converts into a crib, so your investment goes a bit further. 

Cradlewise bassinet & crib

This smart bassinet/crib has a longer shelf-life than the Snoo, and we could track the extra sleep we were getting. Definitely a nice-to-have!

$1,399+

Shop Now Read Our Review

Transitional sleep slack 

Once your baby starts to show signs of rolling, you have to stop swaddling them (usually between three and six months). If your baby is missing the oh-so-comforting feeling of not being able to move their arms, a transitional sleep sack or something like the Merlin suit can help. 

Smart monitor 

Like the bassinet, your monitor doesn’t have to be smart. But if it is, it may alert you if your baby’s face is covered (see the Cubo AI+). We especially like the Harbor, which transmits video to your phone and an included parent unit.

Harbor baby monitor

At a flat price with no subscription fee, the Harbor is one of the more affordable smart monitor options, and we love that it comes with a parent unit.

$499

Shop Now Read Our Review

Vitals monitoring device

Some people say vitals monitoring gives them peace of mind—others say it gives them anxiety. We’ve tried the Owlet DreamSock Duo, which alerts you if your baby’s oxygen levels are low, or if their pulse rate is too high/low. If you’re someone who wants the alerts (even if you have to deal with a few false alarms), the FDA-approved Owlet may be for you.

What you don’t need for baby sleep

Crib bumpers 

Your parents (or grandparents) might tell you to get crib bumpers, but they’re dangerous and no longer recommended. If they question you, send them here.

Blankets & loveys 

They can be cute nursery decor, but you don’t need them for sleep. The AAP recommends keeping the baby’s sleeping surface totally clear for the first year. For now, arrange those stuffies into a cute scene on your baby’s dresser. And don’t worry—by the time they’re two, your child will have a “where is my kid” amount of stuffies in their bed.

Diapering & hygiene essentials

1. Diapers (pro tip: you won’t be in newborn-sized diapers very long… ask people to get you a variety of size 1-5 diapers)
2. Wipes
3. Diaper cream
4. 3-4 Towels
5. 3-4 Wash cloths
6. Gentle baby shampoo & body wash
7. Gentle baby lotion

Unexpected MVP: diaper cream applicator 

You don’t need much to keep your baby diapered and clean. For the most part, you’ll use diapers (obviously), wipes, and a gentle shampoo/body wash combo. We include diaper rash cream as an essential, because your baby will get (several) diaper rashes. Plus, you can use diaper cream anywhere, including the places where they’ll get rashes from all the adorable rolls (pits, thighs, neck, etc.). The MVP? A diaper cream brush that spreads the cream for you and easily wipes clean. Both Brittnee and Kristan insist they would not go without this little $14.99 bundle.

Diaper cream applicator

Trust us, you want this.

$14.99

Shop Now

Nice-to-haves for cleaning & diapering

Baby tub 

Co-founder Paul is a proud member of the never-owned-a-baby-tub club. He swears by a $5 bath mat and the sink. On the other hand, Kristan finds her kitchen sink “icky” even on its cleanest day, and she keeps trying to sneak the baby tub onto the essentials checklist. 

Whether or not a baby tub is essential to you, is your call. But Kristan really loves the 4-in-1 Friday tub. 

Diaper changing pad 

You’re going to be shocked by the places you’re willing to change a diaper. But it still might be nice to have a place where you’re supposed to change the diaper. 

Our community really loves the Keekaroo peanut changer. 

Pros: No need for a cover, easy to wipe clean (in case you aren’t familiar with diaper changing pads, most require a sheet that doesn’t stay clean for more than a day… that’s a lot of laundry)

Cons: It’s $180 

Is it worth it? Quite possibly, especially if you’re going to have multiple children and somehow still have almost $200 to spare on a poop pad. 

Bathtime pitcher

A little pitcher to help you wash that tiny head of hair can help you keep water out of your baby’s eyes. A cheaper alternative? A cup from your kitchen cabinet.

2-3 hooded towels 

These are great for making sure your baby’s head doesn’t get too cold after a bath. Plus, they’re pretty dang cute. But babies tend to outgrow them quickly, and some people claim regular towels are easier. 

Diaper Genie 

You can throw your diapers in a trash can, but a diaper genie really does help conceal the odor for a bit longer. One of our authors (Kristan) didn’t use a diaper genie with her first, but now has one for her second. She believes it’s worth it. 

What you don’t need for cleaning & diapering 

Wipe warmer

“There’s no better way to start turning your baby into the next Veruca Salt than to buy them a wipe warmer” — Cofounder Paul

Do wipe warmers feel a bit… over the top? Maybe (at least, according to Paul). But just as importantly, they just don’t really work, because they dry out the wipes.

“Peepee teepee” 

Please no. 

Special baby detergents 

Some of the baby detergents marketed for babies actually contain fragrances that can still irritate your baby’s skin. If you’re worried about it, skip the Dreft and use a “free & gentle” detergent instead (like this fragrance-free detergent from Tide). 

Essentials for moving your baby

1. Stroller
2. Diaper bag
3. Car seat

Unexpected MVP(s): car mirror + stroller fan 

Leaving the house for the first time with a new baby feels daunting as hell (second only to leaving the hospital with your baby). But you only need a few essentials to make it happen—a properly installed car seat, a stroller, and a bag to store some of the other baby essentials (like the Fathercraft diaper bag!) on this list. We highly recommend hanging a shatter-proof mirror on your backseat, so that you can see your rear-facing bundle of joy. And if you’re having a summer baby? We’re 92.5% sure you’ll end up buying a stroller fan at some point.

Nice-to-haves for moving your baby 

Fancy-pants stroller 

All you need your stroller to do is safely move your child from Point A to Point B. But having a few bells and whistles, plus a smoother ride can make things easier than you might imagine. Fancy-pants strollers can grow with your family, re-configure in various ways, and keep your kids happier with fewer jostles and bumps. At Fathercraft, we recommend the Uppababy Vista as the ultimate luxury ride. 

UPPPAbaby Vista V3 stroller

The best fancy-pants stroller we've tried

$899.99

Shop Now Read Our Review

Wrap or buckle carrier 

You can carry your baby around, but having a wrap or baby carrier frees up your hands. Plus, babies like the feeling of being snug against their caregiver. We use our carriers out and about and around the home. Bonus: wearing your baby on a walk is great exercise. 

What you don’t need 

Baby knee pads 

Yes, they exist. No, you don’t need them. No, that won’t stop your Great Aunt Susan from purchasing them for you (unless you send her this list of things you actually need).

Playtime essentials 

1. Board books
2. You!

Unexpected MVP: The silicone ladle you have in your kitchen 

The truth? Babies don’t need a lot to stay entertained. They mostly need a loving caregiver (that’s you and your partner) who will sing, talk, and make silly faces. In fact, before you stock up on toys, we actually recommend purchasing a few books. Starting a reading habit early (like… from birth) can help develop your baby’s early language and literacy skills.

Still itching to buy some toys? Check your kitchen drawers. Choose carefully, but it never ceases to amaze us how babies gravitate toward ordinary household items over fancy, expensive toys.

Nice to haves for playtime with baby

High-contrast toys

If you’re thinking, ok we have the books and the kitchen ladle, but we still want some baby toys, high-contrast toys are a great place to start. In the early weeks, your baby won’t see color very well, but they’ll be able to spot (and will love) the contrast between black and white. If you want to take the guess work out of baby-toy-buying, check out Lovevery—a subscription service that sends you developmentally appropriate toys every few months.

Things to grab

Around 2-3 months, your baby will start trying to grab things. Playmats with dangling toys offer a great opportunity to practice those skills.

Essentials for birth and beyond

You and your partner will also have needs in those first months. As much as we’d love to, we can’t stock your fridge or supply you with mental stability. But we can help you prepare for two things: recovery and education. 

• Heads up: We wrote a third trimester checklist to help you prep for birth and beyond.

Recovery essentials 

Note: Your hospital may supply many of these essentials

1. Mesh underwear
2. Pads
3. Peri bottle
4. Tuck’s pads
5. Ice packs and/or “padscicles”
6. Benzodyne spray

Unexpected MVP: water bottle with straw 

Regardless of delivery method, the birthing parent should expect to bleed for the first 2-6 weeks postpartum. These essentials will make healing easier (and are often supplied by your hospital). Bonus: get a water bottle with a straw. If you’re breastfeeding, you need at least 100oz of water each day. And even if you’re not, hydrating helps you heal, reduces postpartum swelling, and reduces the impact of sleep deprivation. 

Recovery nice-to-haves

Frida mom mesh underwear 

Some women feel like the hospital mesh underwear leave something to be desired. The Frida mom mesh undewear feel a bit more comfortable and secure. 

Comfy lounge sets 

You’ll be spending a lot of time in pajamas. Comfy lounge sets can help you feel a bit more human. They even make special loungesets for breastfeeding! 

Postpartum cart 

Setting up a cart with postpartum, diapering, and feeding essentials can help keep everything central to you and the baby. You don’t need this, but it’s helpful in the early days when you might be trying to minimize how much you’re moving around postpartum. 

Essentials for dads 

1. Hospital stay supplies (e.g., snacks, entertainment, chargers)
2. Education
3. Community

Unexpected MVP: Comfy blanket and pillow 

Your baby and the mother will likely be (and should be) the top priorities during birth and beyond. But dads have to put on their own oxygen masks, too. When dads show up for themselves, they show up better for their families—starting with the actual birth. Dads should plan to stock up a hospital bag with things they need, too. Of course, no matter how uncomfortable your hospital stay as a dad might feel, it pales in comparison to birthing a child. But there’s no harm in packing a solid pillow and blanket for both partners. Dads should also plan on investing in their own parenting eduction. Shameless plug: Check out the Fathercraft course for dads-to-be. If you’ve made it this far in the checklist, just think about how much you might learn from our course… 

Father's Ed

A practical online course for the dad who aspires to have his sh*t together.

$149

Shop Now

Finally, dads should prioritize finding community and building a support system before birth and throughout infancy. You’ll want other dads who get it to lean on in those early days of sleep deprivation and generally figuring it all out. 

Nice to haves for dads

A dad diaper bag 

Let us offer this piece of advice: If you’re a dad, take charge of the diaper bag. Keep it stocked, organized, and ready to go. It’s a huge mental lift off your healing, potentially nursing, definitely sleep-deprived partner (if you’re not a dad… we won’t judge if you send him this).

There’s no shame in the ultra-stylish diaper bag game, but we just so happen to make a diaper bag that was designed by dads, for dads. It’s durable and stain-resistant, which means you can use it for years (and honestly, we still think it’s pretty stylish).

More education essentials

1. CPR/first aid class
2. 1-2 parenting resources

We highly recommend taking a CPR and first aid class before having your baby. Hopefully, you never need the information, but we’re fans of controlling what you can. In other words, we tend to rest easier knowing we can respond accurately in an emergency. 

Plus, we recommend picking up 1-2 more parenting resources. If it’s not our course, grab a book or check out Tinyhood, which offers a wide range of classes addressing everything from pregnancy to toddlerhood and beyond.

Parenting education nice-to-haves 

A course specific to your situation

Planning a med-free birth (godspeed to you)? Hoping to breastfeed? Formula feed? Need more info on the epidural? Know you’re having a c-section? There are lots of online courses out there from experts that address these specific situations. 

Now what? 

Start budgeting. 

Just kidding. Sort of (we actually wrote about this). 

In all seriousness, we’d recommend making a plan to get these essentials before your due date and adding some of the nice-to-haves to your registry.

And we’re here to help along the way! We’re Fathercraft, and we write reviews to help out parents like you. Ready for some more info? Check out our free checklists, our product reviews, or our courses to get started.

Ahhh, the third trimester. It’s the home stretch, but it’s also quite possibly the longest 12 weeks of your life—thanks to some of the less-than-pleasant third trimester symptoms and the general anticipation of waiting for a baby. The good(ish) news? There’s plenty you can do to pass the time. And don’t worry, we consider “napping” a part of that list. 

We noticed there are plenty of checklists that talk about yoga and baby books but not enough that cut to the chase. Yes, you should be resting… but this is also kind of the time to get your sh*t together. This third trimester checklist is built from my own experience, with the help of three pregnancy experts: a perinatal mental health counselor, a birth and postpartum doula, and a certified lactation consultant/car seat technician.

When in doubt, I use my personal third trimester philosophy: Rest when you can, prep when can’t. 

In other words, consider this your oh shi*t list… for when you look at the calendar and realize a whole human baby will be in your arms in 12 weeks (or less!). We’ll start by going over third trimester symptoms (aka, what to expect). Then, you’ll find your third trimester checklist broken down into these categories (click to skip around):

• Birth
• Baby and home
• Medical
• Education
• Work
• Taking care of you
• For dads/partners

Please note: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more.

Third trimester symptoms (aka, what you’re up against) 

Let’s be honest… the third trimester is no walk in the park. You trade your pregnancy glow for a bruised rib cage and lightning crotch (yeah, that’s a thing). But it helps to go in prepared, so here’s what you can expect:

Note: I’m not a doctor. If you experience anything that seems abnormal, call your doctor! And don’t be ashamed. I called in for false alarms three times before my second was born  

• Increased aches and pains: As your baby takes up more space, you start to feel more pressure on your ribs, joints, back, and lungs. For some, this gets uncomfortable. For others (myself included), it can get downright painful. Finding the right combination of movement and rest can help. 
• Lightning crotch: This is (bewilderingly) exactly what it sounds like. Baby hits a nerve, and you end up feeling like there’s lightning where lightning should not be. 
• Changes in discharge: As your body preps for birth, you may experience a change or increase in vaginal discharge. As you approach the final weeks, make sure you call the doctor if the discharge gets watery or soaks through a pad… it could be your water! 
• Swelling: A little puffiness is normal in the final weeks. But if you experience sudden and extreme swelling, call your doctor. 
• Nausea and/or heart burn: Isn’t nausea a thing of the past?! Well… not for everyone. Some people get nauseous again in the third trimester, and heart burn kicks into high gear as baby invades the space of your stomach and esophagus. 
• Braxton Hicks contractions: Unlike real contractions, Braxton Hicks are typically mild, irregular, and go away if you change positions or drink water. They don’t make any changes to your cervix (that’s the job of a real contraction). It’s just your body practicing! Fair warning—I got a TON of these with my second pregnancy. It felt like I couldn’t move without contracting, and some of them got painful. When I wasn’t sure if they were truly just BH, I called my doctor! 
• Mood swings, anxiety, and/or depression: Maybe it’s hormones, maybe it’s that you’re sick and tired of being pregnant. For me, it was both. If you start to struggle, (you guessed it) call your doctor! 
• Sleep disruption: It seems cruel, but pregnancy insomnia is a thing. Some say it helps prepare for when the baby is here, keeping you up at night. I’m not sure if I felt better prepared… mostly, I was just tired. 
• Actual labor: Eventually, it’s the real deal. The third trimester gets you closer and closer to your baby making their grand entrance! Watch out for contractions that build in intensity and follow a pattern. Or, you might be in the small percentage of women whose water breaks first (that was me!). If that happens, go straight to labor & delivery! 

Your third trimester checklist 

As you read through this checklist, keep the above symptoms in mind. While you may no experience every symptom on the list, chances are you’ll feel pretty tired. Rest when you can… but when you have the energy, chip away at the things below. 

Birth

1. Create your birth plan
2. Create a postpartum plan
3. Pack your hospital bag
4. Tour the hospital and/or ask your doctor questions
5. Create a labor playlist

The third trimester is a great time to square away your birth and postpartum plans. Create a document that lays out your preferences for birth (but keep in mind that there’s only so much you can control!). Who is on your birth team (i.e., do you want to hire a doula)? Where will you give birth? Do you want pain medication? Who is allowed in the room? Do you want to be able to move around? 

Perinatal mental health therapist, Sara Rader, also emphasizes the importance of a postpartum plan, where you sit down with your partner (if applicable) and discuss how you will handle sleep deprivation, household chores, and all the other fun stuff that comes with a new baby.

Sara recommends visiting the Postpartum Support International website and downloading their free postpartum plan template. Once you’ve done that, go ahead and pack your hospital bag. And while you’re at it, create your perfect birth playlist. Trust me, music helps! 

Baby and home

1. Get the rest of your baby essentials
2. Install your car seat
3. Wash and sanitize bottles and pacifiers
4. Order a breast pump (if you’re planning to breast feed)
5. Put together a postpartum cart or basket
6. Identify your support systems

You don’t need a fancy nursery, but you do need a few basic essentials to make sure you can feed, change, and bathe your baby. Plus, you’ll want to safely move your baby and put them to sleep. There’s a lot of people screaming “you must have this!” out there, so we’ve gathered up a list of your basic essentials here. 

Installing the car seat isn’t quite as simple as it sounds, and you’re required to have it installed before you leave the hospital. Go ahead and get that done, so you have time to check the installation with a car seat tech. 

The most common mistakes Heather Price, licensed car seat technician, sees?

• seats/bases that are installed too loosely in the vehicle
• seats that are installed with both latch AND seat belts (nearly all car seats require just one or the other, not both)
• straps positioned too high in infant seats
• straps that are too loose
• chest clips landing too low on the abdomen

Finally, part of prepping your home is prepping for postpartum. Get a basket with some healing essentials together—that includes your favorite snacks! Healing and taking care of a baby is hard work. As much as you can, lean on your support systems to help you navigate the first few weeks of infancy.

Medical

1. Monitor your baby’s kicks
2. Attend your prenatal appointments

Around 26-28 weeks, you should start paying attention to your baby’s kicks. Some medical experts suggest laying down at the same time everyday and making sure you can count 10 movements within two hours. Others recommend paying attention to what feels “normal” for your baby (and trust me, it will get to a point where it’s hard to ignore) and calling if anything seems off. Count the kicks is an excellent resource for this! 

The prenatal appointments will get more frequent (every other week until week 36… then it’s every week!). Make sure you attend them so that you can express any concerns you have, relay your birth preferences, and monitor your baby’s health. 

Education

1. Take a birthing class
2. See a lactation consultant (if you’re planning to breastfeed)

Birth is… wild. It’s helpful for both partners to know what to expect (and that might be the understatement of the year—it’s borderline critical, especially if you have strong birth preferences). With the right amount of education and prep, birth can also be a pretty incredible experience. 

A course can walk you through what the heck is going on throughout all those contractions. Plus, you can learn more about pain management, pushing, and what happens directly after birth (we love Tinyhood for birth education—it’s super affordable and offers so many courses to help you through the first year. And you get access to all of them!).

If you’re planning to breastfeed, seeing a lactation consultant before you birth your baby can actually increase your chances of success. According to IBCLC Heather Price, prenatal lactation consultations are a chance to review your health history, discuss goals, learn about your pump, and have a plan in place for early postpartum.

Work

1. Determine what you want in terms of work vs. staying home (or some combination of both)
2. Tour daycares and get on a waitlist (if applicable)
3. Create a maternity leave plan and set boundaries (if applicable)

For some reason, I never see work-related things on a third trimester checklist, but no matter what your plan is, you gotta figure some things out before the baby comes. 

If you’re planning to return to work, you’ve probably already told your colleagues about your pregnancy and arranged for maternity leave (if you haven’t—now is the time!). But it’s helpful to start thinking now about projects you may want to wrap up before taking off and how you’ll transition your tasks. Making a plan can make the last few weeks feel less overwhelming, especially when you should be focused on resting. Communicate your boundaries and expectations. Unfortunately, some people still think maternity leave is a vacation. But trust me, you won’t be trying to respond to emails when you’re sleep deprived and covered in spit up. 

Fair warning: The daycare situation is kind of abysmal. In many areas, there are super long waitlists. If you haven’t already, go ahead and tour some daycares and get on a waitlist. 

And if you’re planning to stay home? Discuss the division of labor with your partner. In some ways, the home becomes your workplace, and it’s just as important to figure out expectations and boundaries. And if you’re like me, and you’re self-employed… do yourself a favor and set parameters around what your “leave” will look like, even if it’s self-funded. Communicate that to your clients. 

Taking care of you

1. Rest, rest, rest
2. Hydrate
3. Eat nutritious foods
4. Do what feels good

There is a lot going on and kind of a lot to do, but please don’t forget to take care of yourself. Your body will force you to rest if you don’t allow time for extra snoozing. Call in for backup if you can and put your feet up. While you’re at it, drink another glass of water.

And lastly… just do what feels good. Light movement can help relieve aches and pains, but don’t force yourself to work out if what you really need is a nap. Maybe it helps to keep your mind occupied with a new hobby or calling up a friend. Remember: this stage is temporary, and every day brings you closer to your baby!

In fact, postpartum and birth doula, Mallory Hansen, confirms the benefits of naps and hobbies:

For dads

Alright dads, I know you want to help because you’re great dads. But if you find yourself feeling like you can’t be all that helpful, scroll up and read back through the third trimester symptoms. Anything you can do to take tasks off your pregnant partner’s plate helps. Here are some specific suggestions: 

Take care of yourself

First and foremost, make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Find support through your community and seek professional help if you need it—there’s no shame! According to licensed therapist Sara Rader, dads can also be prone to mental health challenges during the third trimester and beyond, due to the rather incomparible life changes taking place.

Attend prenatal appointments 

As much as you can, continue to attend the prenatal appointments. It’s helpful to have the extra support. 

Pack your own hospital bag

Pack your own bag, and do it before your partner reaches 36 weeks.  You’ll need a few changes of clothes and toiletries. Pro tip: Pack yourself some snacks and blanket. 

Plan to take on more of the housework/care for older children

When I was in the final weeks of my pregnancy, caring for my three-year-old felt like an olympic sport. Even if you already have a pretty equal split, you might need to take on more than your typical fair share. 

Educate yourself on birth and breastfeeding (if your partner plans to breastfeed)

Take a birthing class with your partner. There are a lot of sights, smells, and sounds. It’s helpful if you’re not shocked by any of them. The support of my partner was critical to me staying sane throughout the birthing process. 

If your partner plans to breastfeed, plan to take a breastfeeding class with her as well. According to board certified lactation consultant, Heather Price, partners have a direct impact on breastfeeding success, and I believe it! My partner helped me figure out how to latch, attended lactation consultations with me, and is Chief Pump Part Washer in our house.

Get a plan for care for older children in place 

If you have older children, take on the task of figuring out where they’re going to go when your partner goes into labor. Do you have family nearby? Close friends? If you don’t live near your support system, can someone come in town and stay for awhile? Alternatively, I’ve seen where people hire on-call sitters to be available when the moment comes. 

Call insurance 

Call your insurance company and make sure you know what to do to add your new human to your insurance plan when they’re born.

Take a parenting class

To state the obvious: Once you get through birth, you have to actually be a parent. You may find that some of it comes naturally, but not all of it. A new parenting class can help you navigate everything from the pure basics (i.e., how to actually hold a baby who can’t support their own head) to more complicated matters like how do I get this baby to sleep.

Shameless plug: Check out the Fathercraft New Dad class. You go at your own pace, you get practical tips and lessons, and if you don’t feel like it’s helping you, you can get your money back within 60 days.

What’s next?

Hi, we’re Fathercraft! If you’re prepping for a baby, make sure you check out our free baby prep checklists and product reviews. We’re on a mission to make cool stuff for awesome dads and families, and we hope you’ll tag along.

It’s a big task. But the good news is, if you’re reading this, you’re planning ahead and thinking about what to do to prepare for a baby ahead of time—something that’s going to make your life a whole lot easier as the big day comes.

This is not a list of 8 random things you need to do, It’s a comprehensive guide you can use to dig deep on baby preparations. We’re going to cover (click a link to skip ahead):

• When to start preparing for your baby’s arrival
• A baby preparation timeline
• Things to do while waiting for your baby’s arrival
• Figure out your parenting education plan
• How to prepare for a baby financially
• What to buy before the baby arrives
• Finally, we’ll help you keep things organized with our comprehensive preparing for baby checklist
• Bonus: selecting a pediatrician—a video guide

When to start preparing for your baby’s arrival

Often, expecting parents fall into one of two camps; they either jump in and start preparing as soon as they get pregnant (find an adoption agency, line up a surrogate, etc.), or they think, “9 months is a long time” and put off preparations as a ‘future me’ problem. As with most things, preparation for a new baby is usually best started somewhere in the middle. But, waiting to do major preparations until after the first trimester can be a good idea to ensure all is well with the pregnancy.

There are a few things that are a good idea to start early:

A baby preparation timeline

As soon as you or your partner (or surrogate, or adoptive mom) realizes she’s pregnant

Call the OB and set up your first appointment. The OBGYN will let you know when what they recommend in terms of first visit, visit frequency, and more. (By the way, OB appointments aren’t just for moms—they’re a great way for dads to get involved, too.)

Follow pregnancy health guidelines. We probably don’t need to go over the basics with you, but experts advise avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and excess caffeine, along with some ones you might not know about like deli meat, some seafood, hot tubs & saunas, herbal teas, and more. And, be sure to check with your doctor about any medications and supplements during pregnancy. More here from the Mayo Clinic.

Read up on pregnancy. Even if you’re not the one who’s pregnant, it pays to get educated. There are great resources at The Mayo Clinic’s website and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ site. Or, check out our comprehensive guide to pregnancy geared to dads.

After the first trimester

Start telling people you’re having a baby. Most couples choose to start telling people the big news after the first trimester, when pregnancy risk is lower and you or your partner will be more obviously pregnant.

Start to research daycare. Some daycares have waiting lists that are months (and months) long. So, even if you’re not sending your baby to daycare right away, it may be time to consider and research options, otherwise you may find yourself ready for daycare but not have one (or one you like) available.

Start to research what to buy. There’s some gear you’ll want before the baby is born. Don’t worry, we’ve got a whole section on that below, keep reading.

By the start of the 3rd trimester

Find a pediatrician. You’ll want to have your pediatrician lined up before the baby’s birth. You’ll also want to interview this person to make sure you like him or her—see our video at the end of this post for more on how to do that.

Decide on your birth plan and pick a hospital for delivery. Having a plan in place & knowing where you’ll deliver is essential. Most hospitals offer tours, which are great if you have a choice of where to deliver, or to get a lay of the land even if you don’t. You’ll also want to ensure this hospital takes your insurance, and often you can fill out paperwork ahead of time so you don’t have to do that while you or your partner is in labor.

• Prepare for the third trimester by reading our full third trimester checklist.

3+ weeks from due date

Get your hospital bags together. You’ll want some essentials. You’ll want them ready to go, like a secret agent grab bag.

Create a gameplan. What are you doing with the dog? How will you get to the hospital? How will your partner notify you, or vice versa?

Consider freezing some meals. Time is not going to be your friend when the new baby comes. Neither is energy for cooking. A few weeks of meals in the freezer can be a lifesaver.

Things to do before the baby arrives — a checklist for expecting parents

Ok, let’s dive into the the bulk of your baby prep assignment—things to do before the baby comes. We’re breaking this down into a few key categories: paperwork, insurance & administrative, discussions to have with your partner, and preparing your house and nursery.

Baby preparation paperwork, insurance, and another administrative stuff

There are a few key administrative things you’ll want to add to your to do list to have in place before your baby arrives.

Health Insurance

You’ll want to check in with your health insurance provider to understand the procedure and cost for adding a baby to your plan. If you and your partner both work and have a health insurance plan available through work, it’s a good idea to check with both—costs for moving from Employee or Employee + Spouse to Employee + Family can vary dramatically between insurance plans and employers.

Finally, it’s a good idea to ask about typical cost of services, and in particular cost for your baby’s birth and any policies your insurance company has about this—for example maximum length of stay in the hospital.

Life insurance

Your employer may provide some form of life insurance, but note that most employer-sponsored life insurance plans are not nearly as much as you’ll want in an ideal world. So, when you’re preparing for your baby’s arrival is a great time to look at life insurance, which can be more affordable than you think. You can get a term policy for several hundred thousand dollars in coverage for a few hundred dollars a year. Doing this can take some time, and will likely require a drug test and health screening, so plan ahead and make sure this is taken care of before your baby’s arrival.

A will for you and your partner

You probably haven’t thought much about having a will, but now’s the time. Even in the best of family situations, custody situations can get tense in the event of death of parents, you’ll want to know your new little one is taken care of according to your wishes. While this stuff isn’t fun to think about, the good news is you can get a perfectly workable will quickly and affordably from a service like LegalZoom. Make sure both you and your partner have one and the language in each agrees with the other’s.

Employer benefits

Another administrative thing to spend time to understand: your employer’s benefits around children. All employers are required to provide maternity leave for full-time employees, and more and more are adding paternity leave too. But beyond this obvious one, there are several others worth exploring, particularly flexible spending accounts (for both medical expenses and childcare expenses) and college savings accounts. See what else is out there though, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Everything else

If you take care of heath and life insurance, wills, and employer benefits, you’ve got the big stuff covered. In the U.S., the hospital you deliver in will start the paperwork for a birth certificate and social security card. You’ll need to procure immunization records from your pediatrician for daycare.

Things to discuss before your baby arrives

If this is your first baby, let’s state the obvious: life is about to change. A lot. The more discussions you have with your partner ahead of time, the more you’ll be on the same page, and the smoother the sailing will be.

Here’s a list of things it’s a good idea to discuss:

1. What are your plans for caring for the baby? When will each of you return to work?
2. Is daycare a part of the near-term or long-term plan?
3. What other plans for caregiving will you need?
4. Will you store cord blood?
5. What are your hopes, fears, and dreams?

And, if applicable:

• How will you prepare pets, siblings, and grandparents for the arrival?
• If you’re having a boy, will he be circumcised?

Preparing your home for baby’s arrival

When you think about preparing your home for your new baby’s arrival, your mind may jump to things like covering outlets with plastic covers, installing baby gates, and locking cabinets. But, baby proofing is a ways off—most babies won’t start crawling until at least 6 months.

But there are a few things you can do to prepare your home:

Ensure safety measures are in place and up to date. Now’s a great time to ensure you have fire extinguishers on hand, that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detecters are in place & batteries have been changed.

Set up your baby’s sleeping environment. You might note we didn’t say nursery—the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep in their parents’ room for at least the first 6 months (though in a crib or bassinet, never the parents’ bed). So, go ahead and set up that cute nursery if you like, but give some thought to where your baby will be sleeping, and how to set up your baby for safe and healthy sleep. There are some great tools and sleep hacks out there that can help your baby sleep longer and move her toward the coveted sleep through the night goal too—we spend our Better Baby Sleep Bootcamp School online course exploring how to get your baby to sleep.

How to prepare your dog for a baby

Your dog’s world is about to change, too. A few tips:

• Now’s a good time to brush up on core skills: sit, down, stay become even more useful.
• Break your dog’s bad habits of jumping up on you to greet you, especially if the dog’s on the larger size
• Consider getting your dog used to a crate
• When the baby comes, introduce him or her to your dog slowly. Let the dog sniff from a distance and watch for a while before the dog gets close.

Here’s the ASPCA with more on how to prepare your dog.

Figure out your parenting education plan

There’s a lot of parenting that just comes natural. Your instincts will kick in and you’ll know what to do. (Trust us, we’ve been there.) But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put in some prep work getting educated—there are definitely things to know before the baby arrives.

Read up. There are shelves and shelves of parenting books out there. Some are good. A select few are good and digestible. Our go-to? The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Caring for Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5 (available on Amazon here). It’s a beast, but it’s also organized into age-based chapters and backed by rock-solid information. We’ve also compiled our list of best books for expecting dads here. If you’re more into doing your reading online, here’s our roundup of blogs for expecting parents.

Take a class at your local hospital. Chances are a hospital in your area offers birthing and parenting classes. They’re usually pretty good, include infant CPR, and are quite affordable.

Consider an online course for expecting parents. Ready to go back to school? Turns out, there are some really good options out there for online classes too. Many of these benefit from video lessons, which have a big leg up on reading about things in a book because parenting is, well, a pretty hands on sport, learning by watching can be helpful. Here’s our roundup of the best online classes for expecting parents, and we also offer our own online course, called Father’s Ed, which you can check out here. (You can also try it for $1, here)

Now that we’re educated and have a solid list of things to do before having a baby, let’s begin to answer that big question … yeah but how much is all this going to cost us?

How to prepare for a baby financially

We’re not going to sugarcoat it — kids are damn expensive. You’ve probably read some stat like, “It costs $300,000 to raise the a child to the age of 18.” Well, the most reliable figure we could find was $233,610, oddly published by the US Department of Agriculture.

But that kind of number isn’t particularly actionable and can be quite overwhelming. A better one might be the cost of raising a baby from birth to age one, along with a quick breakdown of the big expenses.

Babycenter provides their own oddly-specific number: $11,195.

But this number can vary wildly depending on where you come in on the big costs, which are:

Ongoing baby expenses

Daycare. Expect to pay $400 — upwards of $1,500 per month for daycare.

Diapers and wipes. $70 — $100 per month.

Formula & solid foods. If you’re formula-feeding, formula will run you $100+/month, solid foods, which start around 6 months, $50+/month.

Clothing, first aid, toys & books, and misc. $50 — $100+/month

One-time baby expenses

Baby gear—stroller, car seats, etc. $1,000 — $1,500+

Nursery and home setup—crib, baby monitor, bedding, etc. $1,000 — $1,500+

Nursing or bottle feeding supplies. $250 — $500+

So … yeah … babies are expensive. But, understanding the costs can help you prepare. Babycenter’s interactive calculator is quite helpful. We also wrote a detailed post on baby budgeting here.

Learn what you don’t need from our baby essentials list.

Let’s talk about what of that gear you should buy before the baby comes …

What to buy before your baby arrives

You definitely don’t need to buy everything before your baby comes, but consider stuff that falls into one of two categories:

Baby stuff you’ll want ready to go on day 1

Your baby’s crib or bassinet. They’ve gotta sleep somewhere, and somewhere safe. Buy a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards, or if you want to splurge for more sleep, check out the Snoo smart sleeper bassinet.

Car seat(s). Again, you’ve got to get your baby home from the hospital, and then transport them around. And we hate to break it to you, but if you have two cars, you’re probably going to need 2 car seats—moving them is a hassle, and can reduce safety if you’re hurriedly trying to install them before each ride.

A one-month supply of diapers, wipes, clothing, and supplies. You’re not going to want to be running out to the store frequently for baby stuff. The more stock you have the better (though, since you don’t know how fast your baby will move to the next diaper size, you don’t want a 6-month supply of size 1 diapers). Quick clothing note: you don’t need fancy stuff. Babies grow fast, people will likely buy you clothes. That 5-pack of onesies from target will be just fine, your baby will still be super cute in them.

Gear you can practice with

You might not use this stuff on day one (in fact some of it you can’t without proper inserts), but having it ready and testing it out can be better than trying to learn it after your baby comes along.

A stroller. You will definitely want a stroller. Babies love stroller rides, you will love going for walks for fresh air and getting out of the house.

A baby monitor. Parents were just fine for millennia without baby monitors, but they are pretty darn handy. We go deep on baby monitors here, along with our picks for best baby monitor across several key categories.

Assorted other baby gear. Baby carriers, bath supplies, a nasal suction device—there’s lots of handy stuff out there. Poke around, get educated.

We break down our battle-tested list of baby and newborn essentials here.

Our comprehensive preparing for baby checklist

There is A LOT of stuff you need to do to prepare for a baby. You’ll probably forget something, and things will still be ok.

But, checklists are quite handy when it comes to remembering, and accomplishing, a long list of things.

That’s why we created our comprehensive preparing for a baby checklist as a downloadable, fridge-ready PDF. You can get it, 100% free, plus 3 other bonus checklists from Fathercraft when you join our email list (don’t worry, it’s awesome). Just enter your email here:

Bonus: how to select a pediatrician—a video guide

In this video, we cover how to choose a pediatrician (and avoid creepy clown noses).

Want more? Get our free 3-day baby prep mini class when you drop your email here:

Wrapping up & further information

There you have it—our guide to preparing for your new baby. Hope it’s been helpful! Now, go create that to do list before the baby arrives and start checking stuff of your list.

By the way, hi, we’re Fathercraft. We’re a company focused on creating high-quality, research-backed content for new and expecting dads—product reviews, online parenting courses, and more. Learn more here, and check out our YouTube channel here.

Please note: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. And, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

When it comes to gifts for expecting couples, expecting dads are usually either a) an afterthought or b) forgotten entirely. We’re not saying they should be first in line. But, a first Christmas or Hanukkah is a great time to show some appreciation for a new dad.

But what do you get the guy who’s about to have endless love for and from a bundle of joy, but with a whole lot less time and vanishing amounts of sleep?

You know what makes a great gift? Actually useful stuff that an expecting father can use to learn, feel useful, and get support in his journey.

That’s what this guide is about. If you have a new dad in your life, consider one of these gifts before the big day hits, or shortly after for his first Father’s Day as a dad. Each category below is full of helpful, unique, and all-around cool fathers day gifts for soon to be dads.

Please note Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

New dad gift category 1: Useful baby gear

It’s impossible to start a guide on new dad gifts without considering useful baby gear. Who doesn’t want to feel like MacGyver when the little one has a sneezy nose? Oh yes, we’re going there.

Stuff in this section can be particularly useful for fathers to be who are going to be first time dads.

None of the below options is exclusively for dads. We’ve picked each item because they’re fun, techy, and just a good fit for someone who wants to be helpful in any way possible during those first few months and years.

Nanit Pro baby monitor

Baby monitors are, in many ways, the perfect dad gear. That’s because, as every new dad will likely find out, most of them are terrible. With this gift, you can help the dad to be in your life feel useful in more ways than one.

This is their chance to make an impact. The Nanit Pro comes with clear HD vision and sound, along with in-depth analytics and tips on how to improve baby’s sleep. And let’s face it: gadgets are just cool gifts for expectant dads. Talk about a way for dad to feel useful even as they get to play with a new tech toy. 

Shop Nanit Pro, our top baby monitor pick.

Read our Nanit Pro review

An awesome dad bag

Guys love bags. But maybe not that polka dot diaper bag you got for your baby shower. Getting a dad bag as a new dad gift is a great way to give him something that will inspire him to get the little one out of the house and on an adventure … whether that adventure is to the store, the park, or climbing a peak.

One more important thing … notice we said dad bag, not diaper bag. The difference? Diaper bags are built to only be useful during the diapering stage. They might have a built-in changing pad or wipes pocket that makes them kinda useless after, or they may be not be built to last. A great dad bag, on the other hand, is versatile and durable enough to last for years. How do we know all this? Well, after years of using diaper bags ourselves, we decided to build our own. The Fathercraft Bag combines all our learnings to build the bag dad will be excited to use for years and years.

Shop the Fathercraft Bag

NoseFrida

Stuffy noses suck, and they suck even more when they prevent your baby from sleeping. Their little cries sound heartbreaking, and they just won’t stay asleep. Enter the NoseFrida, both the grossest and maybe most ingenious gift in this guide.

What’s a NoseFrida, you ask? Great question. It’s a suction-based bogie-removing tube. That suction comes from your own mouth. But here’s the thing: it works beautifully. The satisfaction of getting those boogers out and the extra sleep you get make you get over that grossness really quickly. 

Shop the Nose Frida on Amazon

Read our Nose Frida review

Baby Brezza Formula Pro

If the future dad’s baby will be formula-fed, he’ll probably be involved in feeding it almost from the moment it’s born. That means not just those cuddly moments, but also the responsibility of mixing the formula. Covered in powder and water that’s just a bit too hot, they’ll soon be itching for a better process. There has to be a better way!

There is, and it’s called the Formula Pro. We’ve called it the Keurig of formula bottles, and there really isn’t a better way to describe it. Instead of waiting for what seems like an eternity of making that bottle, you simply fill up the water reservoir and formula container and make the bottle in 30 seconds or less. Works wonders.

Shop the Formula Pro Advanced on Amazon

Read (and watch) our Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced review

The Colugo baby carrier

You can’t just leave babies for a bit while you get some stuff done around the house. Sometimes you just want to have your arms free. That’s why baby carriers are a must for any new family, and a great way for dad to get involved. But you have to get the right one.

We love the Colugo carrier because it’s extremely easy to operate, and actually looks pretty good in the process. It also has pockets so that when you go to the store or work on those dishes, you always have a bottle, wipes, hand sanitizer, and other must-haves closeby.

Shop the Colugo carrier

Read (and watch) our Colugo carrier review

Gifts for expecting dads Category 2: Helping a new dad with that sleeping baby

Sometimes, mom just wants to sleep. Other times, dad does too. What good is the advice to sleep when the baby sleeps when that just never seems to happen? Items that help baby (and, by extension, the parents) sleep tend to make for great new dad gifts.  

Snoo

It’s a robotic bassinet that automatically rocks your baby to sleep. It’s designed for those first six months that tend to be especially tough. Tech, plus the added contribution of helping baby sleep–what could be better for first-time dads?

According to its designers, the Snoo increases your baby’s sleep by 1-2 hours every night. It’s a bit expensive, but those extra hours of sleep will become absolutely priceless once the joys of fatherhood start.

Shop Snoo

Read (and watch) our Snoo review

Sleep sacks

Baby experts tell you to swaddle your baby. Anyone who’s tried it will realize it’s just about as easy as becoming an origami master. Good luck. But what if the dad to be in your life doesn’t have to even try, and still get a good, tight wrap on the baby?

With a sleep sack, you can get the same effects as swaddling without all the wrapping. Our favorite is the Sleepea, made by the same company as the Snoo. Try to buy a couple for the inevitable dirtiness. An added benefit: you won’t have to worry about even trying to give your baby a blanket (a big no-no) because a sleep sack will keep her nice and warm.

Shop Sleepea

Read (and watch) our Sleepea review

5s’s Happiest Baby on the Block streaming video

Dr. Harvey Karp is an expert that just keeps being proven right when it comes to sleeping babies. This video, available in streaming form (or, DVDs, if you still know what those are) on the Happiest Baby website, teaches the new dad (and mom) crucial tricks about getting and keeping the baby calm.

It’s one of those videos that seems both obvious and incredibly helpful. There is no magic formula–just valuable information that will be useful for all of the baby’s first few months of inevitable sleeplessness.

Shop the 5s’s streaming video

Baby shower gifts for dad category 3: Books that help prepare a soon to be dad for fatherhood

Any list of dad to be gifts has to include a category on books. That’s no different here, but these options are something special. They’re among the best books for new dads because they’re helpful, different, and sometimes just fun. You can find our full list of the best books for expecting dads here.

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child by the American Academy of Pediatrics

It’s close to impossible to find a new family advice book as comprehensive as this one. In just under 1,000 pages, the AAP goes through just about every possible scenario, every little ailment, and every question expecting parents might have.

The book is not written specifically for dads, but it’s a great option to read through together before and during those hectic first few months. It’s as good as and typically better than Google because you know you can trust the information here. 1,000 pages might sound intimidating, but this book is well-organized so you can read just the appropriate information for any age or situation.

Shop Caring for Your Baby and Young Child on Amazon

Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood by Michael Lewis

The future dad in your life might already know books and movies like Moneyball and The Big Short. What if we told you that the same author, Michael Lewis, also wrote a seminal book on advice for new parents?

Okay, maybe it’s not quite that. Lewis never pretends to write an encyclopedia like the AAP has. Instead, this is a first-hand account of the chaos of new dad hood, full of honesty and humor. If nothing else, it’s incredibly comforting to know that the craziness with a baby in your life is perfectly normal

Shop Home Game on Amazon

Cribsheet by Emily Oyster

Is your gift recipient into sports analytics? Or do they just like to play with some data? Maybe they aren’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. In each of these cases, Cribsheet is the perfect answer. It’s full of data, but it manages to make that data fun and approachable.

Most importantly, though, the book is full of great writing. Oyster manages to combine writing and data into a book that takes a closer look at conventional wisdom and confirms or debunks everything a new dad might hear from others. Before you know it, the future dad will quote studies and evidence non-stop.

Shop Cribsheet on Amazon

The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

Sometimes, the best father to be gifts are actually for their little ones. With this book, Boynton manages to write a few boards full of content that’s as fun to hear for dads as it is for their little ones. 

As its name suggests, this is a book about animals going to bed. But it’s also about subtle puns, clean adult humor, and just plain silliness. How would you like giggling along with your baby and toddler as you read it? That’s what this board book does.

Shop The Going to Bed Book on Amazon

Category 4: Fun and funny Father’s Day, and baby shower & holiday gifts for dads

We’ve covered books, sleep, and baby gear. All those typical soon to be dad gifts make sense, but what if you want to go outside the box? We can almost guarantee that you’ll be the only one thinking of some of these options. They’ll be as unexpected as they are welcome.

Father’s Ed

The gift of education. This one’s for the dads who loves learning, those who want to learn a bit more about what it takes to become a father, and… well, pretty much everything baby related. That’s what makes Father’s Ed such a good gift.

Are we biased? Maybe a little (it’s our course). But we wouldn’t offer this course if we didn’t think it would be relevant for dads-to-be. 32 short, well-organized videos are organized into nine modules will help future fathers prep for the new addition, prepare their house, learn what beard oils to avoid… Basically anything you might need to become a great dad. Because studies have shown you learn better when you’re engaged, we built Father’s Ed as a video course that’s actually entertaining to watch—so long as you’re up for a good dad joke (or dozens of them). The video course is accompanied by an 94-page workbook that’s full of supplemental info, checklists, charts, and more, which ships free (within the U.S.) along with the course.

Shop Father’s Ed

A Fore Fathers Polo

Our friends over at For Fathers specialize in one thing: freakin’ sweet polos for dads. And, owning a number of these ourselves we can tell you first hand: they’re as comfortable as they are stylish. It’s hard to go wrong with any of their designs, but for dad’s first Father’s Day, check out their brand new He Got Kids polo, or choose a hobby-based design like the classic Turf Dad or the Pizza Night, which is a great consolation gift for the guy who’s had his eye on that $5,000 home pizza oven that just isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

Shop Fore Fathers

A Molekule air purifier

Give dad (and the whole family, including new baby) the gift of clean air. Unfortunately, our world is becoming increasingly polluted—things like pandemics and wildfires that can deposit dirty air across continents and other pollutants can have a real impact on you indoor air quality.

That’s where Molekule comes in. Its FDA-cleared PECO and HEPA filter technology destroys pollutants instead of just trapping them, which has earned them on of Time Magazine’s Inventions of the Year awards.

With that kind of power, everyone in the family can breathe a little easier. And the company’s Air Mini+ is the perfect size (and aesthetic—it looks great too) for your new nursery.

Shop Molekule and Air Mini+

A cryotherapy gift card

Cryo-what?

Is that a support group where dads get together and cry about how hard parenting is? Nope.

Is that where … we’ll stop before this gets too morbid.

In reality, cryotherapy is where the body is exposed to extreme cold (-300 degrees Celsius). It’s designed to rejuvenate cells and speed recovery.

Even with the best of tips, let’s be honest – new parents still suffer from a lack of sleep. This gift will help to recover faster from that, giving new dads a boost of energy for work and play. Plus it only takes about 3 minutes, so it’s perfect for the dad who’s short on time.

A session typically costs $60 to $100, so that’s a good sweet spot for a gift card. Just google ‘cryotherapy near me’ to find a studio that’s close by for this gift so he can shiver his way to better sleep and energy.

DIY babysitting gift cards

If you’ve gone through the joys and worries of new fatherhood, you might have your own opinion on many of the above options. Here’s an alternative: put your own experience and expertise to good use with a DIY babysitting gift card.

With a newborn, everything revolves around the baby. But every now and then, the new parents also just want to get out and enjoy some time to themselves. If you have baby skills, give them the gift of a night full of joy, distraction, and reassurance that their little one is well taken care of. 

Skincare from Geologie

Self-care is one of the first things to fly out the window when you become a parent. But parents who take care of themselves are able to better take care of their kids. I’ve gotten into Geologie recently, and (confession) I’ve actually been washing my face twice a day most days which is a major step up. Scientifically-proven, clean ingredients and easy-to-follow, simple routines make them great.

Shop Geologie

Category 5: A hospital bag for dad

The final category is a simple idea all by itself: a hospital bag for dad gift. Just like mom will pack some of her favorites, the new dad might want their own bag full of goodies. Some ideas on what to include:

• Healthy snacks that keep up dad’s energy in staying by his significant other’s side during and after labor.
• A source of caffeine. Hospital coffee is bad. A frappuccino, energy drink, or other caffeine sources can help with the sleepiness.
• Reading material, whether that’s the newest Sports Illustrated or the newest in nonfiction. May we suggest Shea Serrano’s Movies (and Other Things)?
• Something to destress. A stress ball works, or it might be a Rubik’s cube. Anything to keep the new dad calm so he can help during labor.
• Mouthwash. The last thing anyone wants after 24 hours awake is terrible breath.
• Some loose change. It never fails to surprise how well acquainted new dads become with the vending machine in the waiting area.

 Well, there you have it: our ultimate guide to cool gifts for expecting dads. Whether you’re attending a baby shower or a slightly nervous expecting grandparent, a great gift for a dad to be can go a long way toward making a couple’s journey into parenthood a lot more smooth, and a lot more of a team effort.

Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what works best. Every new father is unique – some worry more, others just get crazed with excitement. Depending on personalities, each of these gifts works well. And of course, the greatest gift is that little bundle of joy… And the countless sleepless nights that follow.

Need even more gift ideas for the expecting dad? Check out our list of baby essentials.

In this article:

• First trimester
  • By week
  • Your partner
  • Your job
  • What to expect at the doctor
• Second trimester
  • By week
  • Your partner
  • Your job
  • What to expect at the doctor
• Third trimester
  • By week
  • Your partner
  • Your job
  • What to expect at the doctor
• Birth and postpartum
  • Labor
  • Delivery
  • Postpartum care
• Your wellbeing and mental health

So, whether you’re a seasoned dad just needing a refresher or a first-timer with no idea of what pregnancy entails, we’re here to help with a detailed week-by-week pregnancy for dads. For each trimester, we’ll discuss the changes happening to your baby and your partner, plus tips for what you can do as a dad to support your pregnant partner.

Editor’s Note: This pregnancy guide for dads was originally published in April 2021. It was updated in June 2024 with minor edits after being fact-checked again by Kristan Barczak who also happens to be a pregnant toddler mom.

First Trimester (Weeks 1 – 14)

Pregnancy for Dads 101: You’ve gotta learn how to count the duration. If you missed out on Greek and Latin roots in school, the prefix tri– means three. The most common way to break down the trimesters of pregnancy is through weeks and months. Generally speaking, a pregnancy lasts nine months and some change (technically closer to 10 months) with the first trimester being ~14 weeks, the second trimester being ~14 weeks, and the third being ~12 weeks. The first trimester starts on the first day of your partner’s last period and goes until the end of the thirteenth week. Within the first trimester, the baby and the mother change significantly. Let’s break it down.

Weeks 1 and 2

Technically, your partner isn’t pregnant yet. Medical professionals begin counting “weeks” of pregnancy from the first date of your partner’s last menstrual cycle, so “Week 1” is the week of your partner’s period (a little confusing, we know). But this is still an important couple of weeks if you’re trying for a baby. Sometime after your partner’s period ends, an ovum (egg) will be released into the fallopian tube, during a phase called ovulation.

You can use apps and methods like taking your basal body temperature to try to increase your chances of conception. For example, if your partner has a regular, 28-day cycle, every 28 days, they have their period. Then, approximately 14 days after their period begins, or 14 days into their cycle, they ovulate. Ultimately, this is the best time to try for a baby because your partner is fertile.

What Can You Do?

During this period, keep calm and keep trying for the baby. Also, make sure you’ve tackled a few things:

• Preconception checkup
  • You may not be pregnant yet, but prenatal care begins long before fertilization occurs. A discussion with your gynecologist, together with your partner, is an excellent way to tackle any health issues. During the preconception checkup, your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) asks questions about birth control, menstrual cycles, chronic conditions, medication, and diet.
    
    At the end of the consultation, you and your partner find ways to boost fertility, increase the chances of pregnancy, and prepare a safe environment for fertilization to occur. It’s all about the information, and you should take in as much as you can. 

• Take care of yourself and your partner
  • Use this time to improve your physical, emotional, and mental health. At this point, you’re trying “to-be-a-dad-to-be,” but you also need to be a loving and supportive partner. Enjoy sex, cuddle, talk, enjoy healthy food, and go on dates. Of course, make sure you’re on the same page about your pregnancy and child to come. 

• Insurance and Financial Planning 
  • If you’re trying for a baby, there’s a chance your insurance coverage isn’t top of your mind. Unfortunately, financial troubles are a quick way to strain through a pregnancy. We advise that you check on your insurance coverage before pregnancy. 
    
    Fortunately, most health insurance providers cover prenatal and maternity costs. If you’re a company employee, there’s a chance that your health insurance covers maternity costs. You can also research health insurance covers for your growing family at this point and plan for future out-of-pocket expenses. 
    
    Extend your financial planning to other expenses. Besides the prenatal care and insurance costs, you also have to care for a baby. Even if you don’t get down into all the details, it’s a great idea to have an amount in mind. You’ll likely find yourself exploring funds, insurance, savings plans, and business- and let’s be honest… some extra cash ain’t never hurt nobody. 

• Quit smoking and drinking
  • This is a good time to stop unhealthy habits that might harm the baby. Your partner will need to quit smoking and drinking during pregnancy, and, as a partner, you should consider quitting smoking. Even second-hand smoke can harm a fetus.

Week 3 

By the third week, your partner’s body is a flurry of activity. Remember the egg released during ovulation? It travels to a part called the fallopian tube. It sits and awaits fertilization. When sperm reaches the ovum and fertilizes it, a zygote forms.

Your partner also may not experience any noticeable physical or emotional changes just yet. However, the zygote quickly divides to form multiple cells. This multiplying cluster of cells is called a blastocyst, and it may be microscopic at this point, but it creates critical cells to form the embryo and the placenta. The blastocyst will start to slowly move towards your partner’s uterus, where it will begin to “implant.” Implantation typically occurs 6-12 days after ovulation, but it’s different for each pregnancy, and it could happen a bit sooner or later. If your partner implanted early, you might be able to get a positive on a pregnancy test during Week 3, but it could still be too early.

What Can You Do?

As the dad-to-be, make sure you continue to be supportive and caring. The wait for the positive pregnancy test can feel intense and emotional for your partner. Try to be understanding and find fun ways to take her mind off the wait.

Week 4

If you’ve gotten this far into the week-by-week pregnancy for dads, you’re already doing great. At this point, implantation has likely occurred and a hormone called hCG has begun to build—this is the hormone responsible for the positive on that test.

Even if your partner isn’t peeing on pregnancy tests at home, they may notice a missing period, which is a good reason to suspect pregnancy. Note: some people experience implantation bleeding. The bleeding usually occurs when the blastocyst burrows into the uterine wall. The bleeding is not severe and is significantly lighter than a period. It’s not a cause for alarm, but sometimes people mistake it for a period.

By the end of the fourth week, you might just have a pregnancy confirmed by an at-home test. Baby is tiny, about the size of a grain of sand.

Before we move on, a quick review of the hormones at play:

• Human Chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a hormone that is produced 6 to 12 days after fertilization, which typically falls in Week 4 or 5. This hormone is formed in the placenta and increases as the pregnancy progresses. This is the hormone responsible for a positive sign on both a urine and blood test.
• Estrogen levels also increase. Usually, estrogen helps the body adjust for pregnancy. It affects development in the uterus, breasts, and cervix. 
• Progesterone: The level of progesterone is usually higher than estrogen. It encourages implantation in the uterus and prevents contractions in the uterus that cause pregnancy loss.

Week 5 

In this week, the hormones increase rapidly as the body prepares for the development of the baby. The earlier mentioned hCG rises quickly and sends a signal to the ovaries to stop releasing another egg for fertilization and instead release estrogen and progesterone to help with the baby’s growth. Due to a hormone shift, your partner misses their period (if they haven’t already).

You can also discover pregnancy in the fifth week of pregnancy (again, if you haven’t already). Once you get that positive, call your doctor. Some OBGYNs prefer to go ahead and bring your partner in to confirm the pregnancy around week 6. Others will have you wait until Weeks 8-10. If you need extra confirmation, women’s clinics will often provide free pregnancy tests in the meantime.

Inside the uterus, a baby, known as an embryo, is growing rapidly. The embryo divides into three layers and forms the foundation for the outer skin, the nervous systems, the inner eyes, and the ears. The middle cells give rise to the circulatory system, bone, ligaments, kidneys, and reproductive system. Lastly, we have the innermost layer, which develops into the lungs and intestines.

What Can You Do?

It may be a lot of science to remember, but don’t stress yourself into cramming every bit of it. What matters is that your baby is developing well. Once you confirm that you’re pregnant, there are several things you can do to make the pregnancy easier and safer. 

• If you’re on laundry duty, wash it with unscented cleaners, especially if your partner complains about strong scents. Use unscented soaps, cut down on perfume, and avoid anything that triggers their nausea until the morning sickness goes away. 
• Encourage your partner to consume meals high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C. You can also get them prenatal vitamins with guidance from your doctor. Prepare nutritious meals that provide adequate nourishment for your partner and the developing baby. Make sure you include a healthy amount of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins in each meal. 
• If your partner is experiencing nausea and vomiting, help them replenish their electrolytes by giving them liquids. Broths, diluted juices, and hot water with lemon can soothe them. 

As soon as you and your partner suspect pregnancy, schedule a visit with your OB-GYN. Your prenatal appointments are crucial for your doctor to investigate your medical history (if they haven’t already done so) and deal with any health conditions that may affect your pregnancy’s health. If you have your first prenatal appointment during this week, you can expect the following questions: 

• Your partner’s menstrual cycle, birth control, medical history, and past pregnancies (if any)
• You and your partner’s medical and family histories
• Medication used recently
• Lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse
• Travel details, especially to areas with malaria, Zika virus, tuberculosis, among other infectious diseases. 
• The physician also checks your partner’s body weight, blood, pressure, and height. If they feel that your partner isn’t in tip-top shape for the pregnancy, they’ll make recommendations for you and your partner. 
• The doctor also checks for vital issues such as the Rhesus factor, hemoglobin levels, and immunity and explores infections such as HIV and sexually transmitted infections that affect the baby’s health and development. 

Your Baby’s Growth After Week 5

At this point, you will probably be aware that your partner is pregnant. Let’s quickly run through what your baby will go through in the first trimester, shall we?

Week 6

In the first eight weeks of the pregnancy, the baby is called an embryo. In the sixth week of development, the embryo begins to form a curved tadpole-like shape. It also develops the neural tube from which the spinal cord and the brain develop. Also, foundational structures for the eyes, ears, and arms grow. It’s also in this stage that the heart develops! Exciting!

Week 7

The embryo’s head and face grow significantly in the seventh week. The depressions that form the ears become visible, and the retinas start forming. New buds that eventually form the legs rise, and the buds forming the upper limbs develop into pads.

Week 8

In the eighth week of development, the lower limb buds grow into paddles while fingers form on the upper limbs. The head also undergoes significant changes. Shapes of the ears and eyes become prominent, and the upper lip begins to form. The neck also starts straightening out.

Week 9

In the ninth week, you can now call your baby a fetus. In this stage of growth, the baby forms elbows and toes. Their eyelids also become visible. You’ll also notice a larger head and better neck formation.

Week 10

Your embryo is officially a fetus! In the tenth week of growth, your baby’s head grows rounder, and the fingers and toes become less webbed and spread apart. Your baby can also bend their elbows at this point.

Week 11

By the eleventh week, your baby’s head grows broader, and the eyes separate. Other significant developments on the head include low-set ears and fused eyelids. The baby also grows buds that become future teeth. Inside the baby’s body, the red blood cells form the liver. At the end of the week, the baby’s genitalia also starts to grow.

Week 12

In week 12, the baby has intestines. Their facial features continue to develop, and they grow fingernails. Crazy, right?

Week 13

Up until this point, your baby’s head was the most significant part of the body. However, the rest of the body catches up. The kidneys and the urinary tract are functional, which allows the child to excrete amniotic fluid.

Week 14

The baby’s genitals develop, and their biological sex becomes more apparent. The baby’s spleen also begins to develop. 

Meanwhile, What’s Happening to Your Partner in the First Trimester?

• As the baby develops, your partner experiences more physical pregnancy changes. First, the breasts become swollen, tender, and sore as they adapt to the hormonal changes. 
• Nausea and vomiting become common as the body adjusts to the hormones. The best way to fight this is to eat in small portions, drink plenty of fluids, and consume fluids with ginger. It’s also best to avoid fatty foods and any foods that cause nausea. 
• Your partner experiences more urination because the amount of blood increases. The kidneys work more frequently to clean blood. 
• As hormone levels rise, your partner tends to experience more fatigue. Plenty of rest, nutritious goods, and exercise are helpful.
• Pregnancy hormones cause the relaxation of the valve between the stomach and esophagus, which causes heartburn. It’s crucial to avoid spicy meals, chocolate, and fried foods to prevent heartburn
• High levels of progesterone may cause slow movement of food, which causes constipation. 
• Emotionally, your partner may experience mood swings. They may feel anxious, thrilled, and exhausted at the same time.   

What Can You Do? 

• Start your research!
• Now that your partner is approaching the second trimester, it’s time to start preparing for your new baby. We’ve got some great free checklists to get you pointed in the right direction, grab those right over here. Or, if you’re ready to jump in head first, consider an online course for expecting dads, we highlight 13 of the best ones out there here, and you can also check out Fathercraft’s own Father’s Ed—we’re biased, obviously, but we think it’s the most comprehensive and fun of the bunch.
• Let your partner get adequate sleep and rest. Take up more chores around the house and ask the rest of the family members to chip in. Also, drive your partner for doctor checkups as much as you can. 
• Prepare healthy meals for the expectant mother. Include plenty of fluids and fiber in the diet to fight constipation. Try and avoid spicy, fried foods, citrus fruits, and chocolate to prevent heartburn. 
• Help your partner prepare healthy meals they’re craving, and avoid those that cause nausea. 
• Be supportive if your partner experiences mood swings you find challenging to understand. Talk to them, listen, and offer compassion. 
• Visit the OBGYN with your partner to discuss the pregnancy and educate yourself on things dads should know about pregnancy. Remember to ask as many questions as you can about week by week pregnancy for dads to help you feel less anxious or uncertain about the baby on the way. 
• Attend all first trimester tests and screening. The series of prenatal tests help determine the health of your baby. In the first trimester, your doctor may recommend testing your partner’s blood and performing ultrasounds. 

First Trimester Prenatal Screening 

Your doctor can check for genetic abnormalities before your child is fully developed. Some of the genetic disorders that can be detected include cystic fibrosis, hemophilia A, Down syndrome, sickle cell disease, and polycystic kidney disease. It’s best to consult your OB-GYN on possible congenital disabilities. 

Your doctor will recommend ultrasounds (nuchal translucency) to check for:

• Increased fluid in the fetal neck
• Growth of the nasal bone. Sometimes, this bone is not detectable in babies with Down’s syndrome. If any of the results from the ultrasounds are concerning, your doctor will recommend you and your partner for genetic counseling. 
• The due date
• Ectopic pregnancies
• The number of fetuses in the uterus

Your doctor may also order maternal blood tests in the first trimester to check pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels. Abnormally high levels indicate a problem. The healthcare provider will also test the blood for the risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome. 

What Are The Risks In Early Pregnancy?

Unfortunately, while we all look forward to a great pregnancy, sometimes things do not go as expected. Early pregnancy loss or miscarriage sometimes occurs in the first trimester. Pregnancy loss mostly presents as cramping and bleeding. If you suspect you may be experiencing a miscarriage, you should call your doctor right away. Note: Some women experience light spotting in the first trimester as a normal pregnancy symptom. If your partner experiences spotting (i.e., light bleeding), you should still call your doctor (and they will likely tell you to go to the hospital), but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re experiencing a miscarriage.

Miscarriage occurs in every 1 of 4 pregnancies, most often due to chromosomal abnormalities outside of you or your partner’s control. The risk is highest in the first 6 weeks before it steadily declines as you approach the second trimester. Miscarriage emotionally tough on both partners and physically tough on the pregnancy’s carrier. A few other notes on miscarriage:

• Lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking also increase the risk of a miscarriage in the early pregnancy stages. It’s best to avoid smoking and drinking during pregnancy. 
• Research indicates that the risk of a miscarriage increases with age. In this case, it’s crucial to stay in close communication with your OB-GYN. 
• Even if your partner is bleeding and cramping, you can only confirm pregnancy loss with a checkup. Sometimes, the symptoms could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. This is a condition where the implantation occurs in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus and is a medical emergency.

Second Trimester

Congratulations on reaching the second trimester of your pregnancy! The second trimester of pregnancy is between week 14 and week 28.  If you’re already in this part of the pregnancy, you can smile a little because, in most cases, the risks of early pregnancy are sufficiently over. Check out our first pregnancy guide for men for more details. 

Your Baby’s Growth in Weeks 15-27

The second trimester of baby development is intense, but even still, this trimester is often referred to as the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. By the end of this phase, the baby has functional internal systems, growing from around 3.5 inches and 1.5 ounces to 9 inches and 2 pounds. During the ultrasounds, you’ll see your tiny baby growing larger as they prepare to come to the world. At the same time, your partner’s nausea and fatigue are likely easing—but they aren’t experiencing the discomforts of late pregnancy just yet.

Week 15 

The baby develops a scalp hair pattern. General bone development is intensifying at this point. 

Week 16

The head becomes erect, and the baby starts moving its eyes. The ears also move to the correct position, and the skin thickens. You’ll also notice limb movement during ultrasounds. 

Week 17

The baby’s activity increases, and they start rolling in the amniotic sac. They also develop toenails. 

Week 18

Congratulations! Your baby can hear by now. The baby also faces forward and has a functional digestive system. 

Week 19 

In this week of growth, growth slows, and instead, the baby develops a protective coating called the vernix caseosa.  

Week 20

At this point in the pregnancy, the baby sleeps and wakes. You may also feel the baby’s movements.

Week 21

Your baby has a fine layer of hair called lanugo which keeps the protective layer close to the skin. Your baby also develops the sucking reflex, which helps them suck on their thumb. 

Week 22

In week 22, you can see the baby’s hair and eyebrows. Brown fat also begins to form in sites of heat production. 

Week 23 

The baby develops fingerprints, and the baby has rapid eye movement.  Your baby can also hiccup at this point. 

Week 24 

Your baby’s skin begins to wrinkle and appears pink due to the blood capillaries on the skin.  

Week 25

You baby can respond to your voice. However, the baby spends most of their time sleeping.

Week 26

The baby develops functional lungs. 

Week 27 

The baby’s nervous system and fat deposits continue to grow. This also marks the end of the second trimester. 

Meanwhile, What’s Happening to Your Partner in the Second Trimester?

For most people, the second trimester is easier since the body adjusts to the changes. Nausea and fatigue decrease while more noticeable physical changes take shape. The baby bump also starts showing, and shopping for loose-fitting clothes becomes essential. Did someone say online shopping spree?

Your partner experiences the following changes: 

• Body aches in the groin, back, and abdomen increase.
• Stretch marks begin to appear on the thighs, breasts, and stomach. 
• A line running from the belly button to the pubic area might arise.

• Your partner may experience numbing or tingling in the hands—this is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Fortunately, you can consult your doctor for treatment.
• Patches of dark skin may develop on the face, lips, and cheeks—this is called melasma or pregnancy mask. 
• The ankles, toes, fingers, and face may swell.  
• Irregular, mild contractions in the abdomen may occur in the evenings, after physical exercise, or after sex. These are called “Braxton Hicks contractions,” and they’re just the body’s way of practicing. Unlike real labor contractions, these shouldn’t be painful and they don’t result in any changes to the cervix.
• Nasal congestion may occur due to swelling of the mucous membranes. Saline drops can help relieve nasal congestion, and applying petroleum jelly around the nostrils can help with dryness. 
• As a result of poor circulation, your partner may experience dizziness from time to time.  
• The gums may also become more sensitive. It’s best to brush teeth with a soft brush and be careful around the gums (the second trimester is the best time to see a dentist!).
• The risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) increases during pregnancy.  It’s crucial for your partner to check for discomfort or pain during urination because it could indicate infection. Visiting the doctor is essential to treat UTI and prevent progression into the urinary tract and kidneys. 

What Can You Do? 

• Massage your partner’s back and pain points to help them with pain relief. 
• Be reassuring and supportive of your partner’s physical changes. 
• Help your partner consume more fluids or set up a humidifier for them to reduce nasal congestion.
• Maintain hygiene, especially in shared bathrooms, to reduce the risk of UTIs. 
• Help your partner remain observant of the changes taking place. For instance, while weight gain and swelling are normal, sudden weight gain could indicate preeclampsia. If you and your partner are uncertain about something, schedule an appointment with your doctor. 
• Attend doctor visits and second trimester testing with your partner.  
• Do more research and read about pregnancy and newborn babies with your partner. We like The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Caring for Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5. And have we mentioned checklists can go a long way toward helping you feel prepared?

This is a great time to start preparing! Check out our newborn and baby essentials checklist here.

Second Trimester Doctor Visit Milestones

In the second trimester, you’ll continue to see your doctor every four weeks. They may recommend tests known as multiple blood markers, as well as a few other screenings:

• AFP screening checks for AFP levels in the blood. Abnormal levels may indicate abnormalities in the fetus’ abdominal walls, twins, Down’s syndrome, or spina bifida.  
• Your doctor also checks for hormones such as hCG, estriol, and inhibin A in the placenta through blood tests.
• Your doctor may recommend amniocentesis between the 15th and 20th week of the pregnancy to confirm genetic defects and spina bifida. Typically, if blood work returns as “normal,” this won’t be recommended.  
• You will receive an anatomy scan at 20 weeks. This is where you can find out the sex of the baby if you want! They also confirm that everything is forming as it should.
• Your partner will take a glucose test at around 26 weeks to check for gestational diabetes. The glucose drink makes some women feel sick and/or dizzy, so try to drive your partner if you can and plan to clear schedules for the rest of the day.

The end of the second trimester is a cause for celebration as you and your partner move into the third trimester. You can sing and talk to your baby because they can hear you and feel them as they move inside the uterus.

Third Trimester    

Getting to the third trimester of a pregnancy is a relief for many parents. By this stage, the baby has grown considerably and may even survive in an incubator if born pre-term. Your partner may generally feel more tired as their belly grows bigger day by day. Fortunately, the end is in sight in the third trimester, and you can start counting down week-by-week pregnancy to the birth of your child or children. Let’s explore the baby’s development in the third trimester. 

Your Baby’s Growth in Weeks 28-40

This is the final stage in your baby’s growth during pregnancy. You’ve made it all this way, watching as your partner nourished your baby from a cluster of cells to a moving, breathing being that you can proudly call your child. They don’t call it the miracle of life for nothing, folks.

Week 28

The baby measures around 10 inches and weighs approximately 2.25 pounds by the beginning of the third trimester. At this stage of development, the baby can open their eyes, and their eyelashes are grown. Their central nervous system is also in full swing as it regulates body temperature and breathing movements. 

Week 29

As the baby continues to grow, motion becomes more common. Your partner can feel the baby grasp, stretch and kick. 

Week 30

The red blood cells inside your baby are busy forming the bone marrow. At this stage, your baby can open its eyes. The head is also healthily developed by this week. 

Week 31

The baby begins to gain weight rapidly. The majority of the significant development is already complete by this week. 

Week 32

Remember the soft layered skin called lanugo that formed around your baby? It starts to fall off this week. At this point, your baby measures around 11 inches and weighs about 3.75 pounds. Your baby also starts practicing breathing in preparation for birth. 

Week 33 

Your baby’s pupils begin to detect light and change in size in response to the stimuli. The bones in the body also harden, although the skull remains soft. 

Week 34

The fingernails reach maximum development this week. The baby also grows in size and measures around 12 inches and 4.5 pounds by this week. 

Week 35 

The baby’s skin smoothens, and the limbs grow in chubbiness. Gotta love the chubbiness.

Week 36 

The baby is large at this point and consumes most of the space inside the amniotic sac. You’ll notice lots of movement on your partner’s belly as the baby stretches. 

Week 37 

By this point, your baby will likely have flipped head-down in preparation for delivery. At this stage, the baby weighs approximately 6.5 pounds. 

Week 39 

In the 39^th week, the baby’s chest is prominent. In males, the testes descend towards the scrotum. The baby also gains fat to keep them warm. 

Week 40 

Your baby may have a length of 14 inches from their crown to rump and weigh around 7.5 pounds. It’s during this week that the due date arrives and you have to go to the hospital. However, remember due dates may vary, and your baby may come anywhere during this period. 

Meanwhile, What’s Happening to Your Partner in the Third Trimester?

In the third trimester, your partner may generally feel more tired because the baby gains significant weight. It can be physically and emotionally challenging to get through this period. Here are some of the changes you can expect in the third trimester: 

• Braxton Hicks contractions: Your partner may experience more of these mild contractions. Remember, these aren’t the real deal.
• Actual labor contractions: As you get closer to your due date, your partner may experience sporadic labor contractions. If they start to occur at regular intervals, don’t stop when changing positions or resting, or are accompanied by vaginal bleeding, call the hospital!
• Backaches: As the due date approaches, pregnancy hormones relax the connective tissue around the pelvic area in preparation for birth. Unfortunately, this causes discomfort and backaches. It’s best to wear comfortable flat shoes and avoid movement in this stage. 
• Shortness of breath: Your partner may find themselves running out of breath frequently. Breathing exercises are recommended to keep the lungs strong.
• Heartburns: Pregnancy hormones tend to relax the valves between the stomach and the esophagus. This causes acid reflux, which is irritating. 
• Prominent veins and hemorrhoids: Your partner may form spider veins along the face, neck, and arms. They may also develop painful varicose veins in their legs and get hemorrhoids in the rectal area. Soaking in warm tubs with witch-hazel helps with hemorrhoids. 
• Increased urination: As the baby turns towards the pelvis, they place more pressure on the bladder, which causes frequent urination. Your partner may also have leaks when they sneeze, laugh or bend. Save the dad jokes for just a couple more weeks.
• The reality of birth, complications, and parenthood begins to set in: Your partner (and you) may be more anxious. 

What Can You Do?

• As the pregnancy grows heavier and slightly uncomfortable, make your partner as physically comfortable as possible. Get them pillows and backrests to support their lower back. Support your partner in taking more naps… their body is doing a lot of work!
• Avoid highly acidic meals, fried foods, citrus fruits, and spicy food to prevent heartburn. 
• Help your partner elevate their legs and frequently exercise to reduce swelling in the legs. Draw warm baths for them to soak in and relax. 
• Talk to your partner about the baby, birth, and plans for the child’s future. Make sure you’re on the same page to reduce stress.

Pro tip: Read our full third trimester checklist here.

Prenatal Care 

Once you enter the third trimester, your doctor or midwife will ask you to come in every two weeks until 36 weeks. Then, you’ll visit once a week until the baby makes their appearance. Your doctor will assess:

• Symptoms of discomfort 
• Weight gain
• Blood pressure 
• Risk of Preeclampsia: The doctor performs a urine test to find albumin, a protein that indicates preeclampsia. 
• Risk of Hyperglycemia: The doctor checks the urine for glucose levels
• Baby’s heartbeat
• Baby’s position in the uterus
• Gestational diabetes: The doctor checks all symptoms that indicate the development of diabetes during pregnancy
• Group B strep: This bacteria develop in the vagina or rectum and may cause severe infection to the baby. The doctor recommends antibiotics if your partner has this bacteria. 
• Anemia: during pregnancy, many people develop iron deficiency anemia. If your partner has anemia, they don’t have enough blood cells to circulate oxygen, making them tired. 
• Your partner may also take an additional shot of vaccinations for diphtheria toxocoid and acellular pertuisis despite their vaccination status to prevent the unborn child from contracting whooping cough. 

Birth: What To Expect

There are a few events that will trigger THE big trip to the hospital:

• Regular labor contractions occurring every 10-15 minutes apart for at least an hour and that grow in intensity
• Your partner suspects their water has broken (it’s not like the movies! Your partner’s water likely won’t break until after contractions have begun, and it’s usually not a whole “scene”—it can be a trickle)
• The day of your scheduled induction or c-section has arrived

More on labor and delivery below:

Labor 

First, remember that labor is a natural process, which means it starts and proceeds at its own pace. Most of time, if labor begins naturally, it will start with mild contractions that build in intensity and become closer together.

It’s possible that your partner’s water could break before they feel contractions (although it doesn’t happen like the movies). Typically, this will feel like an uncontrollable trickle of water that doesn’t stop—this is the amniotic fluid leaving your partner’s body. No matter what, you should call the doctor if your partner’s water breaks. They’ll need to be monitored for infection. But if the color of the fluid is green or red, it becomes a bit more urgent. Sometimes, babies poop in the sac. It happens. But it can cause issues. So, just like the classic nursery rhyme: “If it’s yellowish, then we’re mellowish. If it’s red or green, GET YOUR ASS TO THE HOSPITAL!” Or something along those lines.

[Editor’s note: If this you, don’t fret! It actually happens a lot—it happened to me. I was already in the hospital, and I barely knew there was a problem. Our baby was born healthy. That said, it can be a medical emergency, and we are not medical professionals here at Fathercraft, so be sure to call.]

During labor, the contractions cause the cervix to open and soften. These actions allow the baby to move into the vaginal canal. In the early stages of labor, the contractions are irregular. Your partner may also notice pinkish discharge, usually because of the mucus from the cervix. The early labor may last for a few hours or days. 

This period is uncomfortable, but until the contractions increase in frequency, you and your partner have to wait it out. You can encourage your partner by helping them:

• Take showers and baths
• Go for slow walks 
• Change positions 
• Have relaxing conversations or listen to calming music 
• Practice breathing exercises 

After early labor, active labor begins. In this stage, the contractions are frequent and intense. The cervix dilates by 3-4 inches. Your partner may also feel: 

• Pressure in their back
• Nausea 
• Leg cramps 
• Pain 

Active labor typically lasts up to eight hours, although it could go longer. As the pain increases, you can help your partner by:

• Helping them roll on a birthing ball
• Practicing breathing exercises 
• Taking warm showers 
• Providing gentle massages 
• Changing positions 
• Taking walks 

The final stages of active labor are excruciating and uncomfortable for your partner. Contractions come in around 60-second intervals. They may also feel like delivering the baby at this point (this is called “transition,” and it typically means your partner is dilated 10cm).

Delivery 

The birth of your baby could be a few minutes to several hours. It all varies depending on your partner and the baby. If you’re in the delivery room with your partner, the midwife or doctor will ask them to push the baby. It’s a challenging process, even with pain management, and one that requires lots of encouragement and motivation from you. Your partner can push the baby out while lying down, squatting, kneeling, or standing. You may find that your partner starts to doze off between contractions—this is normal and caused by hormones (and exhaustion).

Once the baby’s head is out, the rest of the body follows shortly. Sometimes, the doctor may recommend an episiotomy, a small cut on the perineum, to prevent injury during birth. The healthcare providers clear the airways and cut the umbilical cord as necessary. After the birth of the baby, the third part of labor and delivery begins. Your partner will experience mild contractions and birth the placenta. 

The doctors may provide medication to minimize bleeding during the delivery process. After the placenta is out, contractions continue to return the uterus to its normal size. Your healthcare providers will also examine your partner to ensure that their body recovers. They’ll do something called a “fundal massage” to prevent hemorrhaging—it feels nothing like an actual massage and is actually pretty painful, so be prepared for more hand-squeezing. If stitches are necessary, the doctors will do them after the placenta is out. 

Epidural 

An epidural is a common method of pain relief. Many people request epidurals to help manage the pain that comes with labor. The epidural anesthesia relieves pain in a specific region without blocking total sensations. Before your due date, talk to your doctor or midwife about different epidural options. 

Induced Labor 

Labor induction is the use of interventions and medication (e.g., “pitocin” or synthetic oxytocin) to induce labor. There are several reasons why your doctor may induce labor:

• When the water has broken, but contractions have not started
• When it’s past the due date and contractions have not started
• When there isn’t enough amniotic fluid around your baby
• When the fetus stops growing at the expected rate 
• When your partner has an infection in their uterus
• When the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery 
• When your partner has medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or obesity 
• Elective induction: You and your partner may choose to induce labor even when it’s not medically necessary. For this to happen, your baby should be at least 39 weeks old. This procedure may be available to people with rapid deliveries in the past and live far from health centers. 

Are there risks of induced labor? As with most medical events, there are. Here are some of the risks you should know:

• Failed induction: The procedure may fail, which means that your partner may have to undergo a c-section to deliver the baby. 
• Low heart rate: The medication used to induce labor causes rapid contractions that affect the baby’s heart rate and lower oxygen supply to the baby. 
• Uterine rupture: if your partner has had a previous c-section or uterine surgery, inducing labor may cause rupturing. 
• Bleeding: Induced labor increases the risk of severe bleeding after delivery. 
• If your partner has had a c-section, undergone uterine surgery, or if the placenta is blocking the cervix, the doctor cannot induce labor. 
• If the baby is lying sideways (traverse) or buttocks first (breech), your healthcare provider cannot induce labor. 

In general, it’s helpful to know that many doctors considered induced labor to be a “high-risk” delivery, so your partner will need some extra monitoring. It’s always best to discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor or midwife when making a decision about induction.

C-Section

What if a vaginal birth does not happen? In some cases, your partner may have to deliver the baby through cesarian delivery or a c-section. This is a surgical procedure that takes the baby out from the abdomen or uterus. For first deliveries, a c-section may not be the obvious option until labor begins. However, if your partner has had a c-section before or develops complications with the pregnancy, your healthcare provider may plan for a c-section. There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend a c-section. 

• If the labor stalls and the cervix fails to dilate 
• If the baby is in an abnormal position. If the feet or buttocks are facing the cervix, the baby is in a breech position. If the baby is facing the cervix shoulder first, they’re in a transverse position. 
• If your partner is carrying more than one baby
• If the placenta covers the opening of your cervix 
• If a section of the umbilical cord comes out of the uterus before the baby 
• If your partner has health conditions such as genital herpes or heart disease 
• If your partner has pelvic fractures or fibroids covering the birth canal

What To Bring To Hospital 

Sometime in the third trimester, you’ll want to pack the hospital bags. Here’s what we recommend including:

• Baby pajamas, swaddles, hats, socks, diapers, burp cloths, baby bottles, and pacifiers if you’re using them (the hospital will provide blankets, hats, diapers, and formula if needed, so try to use their things and save your own)—your partner might want to pack a “going home” outfit for baby
• A properly installed baby car seat you know how to use
• Loose clothes that are easy to throw on
• Comfortable house slippers for you and your partner
• Select a calming playlist or bring some essential oils for aromatherapy 
• Hygiene products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, pads, shower essentials, underwear, and deodorant
• Snacks and a water bottle 
• Charging cords
• Pillows and blankets
• Books, laptops, or anything else your partner might want if they’re feeling mellow
• Pictures, affirmations, or anything else that might help your partner during labor

Note: The hospital will most likely provide anything your partner needs for postpartum care.

Postpartum

You’ve made it to the end of the pregnancy road, but your partner will still need your support while they heal from labor. The postpartum period is often thought of as the first six weeks after delivery, although research shows it can take up to two years for your partner to feel fully “themselves.”

During the postpartum period:

• Your partner may be trying to establish a breastfeeding relationship. You can help by attending appointments with lactation consultants, washing pump parts, and helping position your baby (also: warding off nosy visitors with unsolicited opinions).
• Your partner is healing from a vaginal birth or c-section.
  • Vaginal birth: Healing period varies based on if there was a tear and its severity. Your partner may also be taking iron supplements to help with the loss of blood. Encourage them to rest as much as possible.
  • C-section: Healing period may last longer than vaginal birth, as the incision scar heals. Your partner should exercise caution getting in and out of bed and moving up and down stairs. They may need help with everyday tasks for awhile.
• Your partner may exhibit signs of postpartum anxiety or depression. Research shows these signs can present anytime in the first year, up to the fourth year. Watch for signs and encourage her to speak with her doctor if she’s not feeling like herself.
• You and your partner will navigate any entirely new family dynamic—ask for help when needed, try to get rest, and remember you’re on the same team.

A note on your mental health

We like to keep things light around here, but you can’t be partner you want to be if you’re not feeling like yourself! You may not have carried the baby, but newborn life can still take a toll on your mental health. Research shows that 1 in 10 men exhibit signs of postpartum depression as well, due in part to change in hormones that you will actually experience, too. Watch out for these symptoms of paternal postpartum depression, and reach out if you need help:

• Anger/irritiability/violent outbursts
• Disconnection from partner and baby
• Loss of focus and interest in activities
• Physical symptoms like stomach and back aches
• Working a lot more or a lot less
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others

If you or your partner need help, call or text one of the following hotlines, or reach out to your doctor:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI): (800) 944-4773 (call or text)
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: (833) 852-6262 (call or text)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): (800) 662-4357 (call)

What’s next

Well, you made it! At least you made it to the end of this article. And you and your partner will make it through pregnancy too. And, educating yourself can go a long way toward helping you feel more prepared. That’s what we’re all about here at Fathercraft, learn more here.

In this Woom 1 balance bike review, I’ll dive into whether spending a bit more money on my toddler’s bike truly made a difference. Did she enjoy it more? Did she learn to ride faster (or better)? I’ll also address some commonly asked questions and give my ultimate verdict: Is the Woom 1 truly the best balance bike on the market?

Come along for the whole ride or skip to what matters most to you:

• What is a balance bike?
• Choosing a balance bike
  • Woom safety
  • Woom 1 size
  • Toddler enjoyment
  • Versatility
• Woom 1 vs. competitors
• The verdict: the awesome and the wish-it-were-different
• Pricing and where to buy
• Technical bike stuff and other FAQs
• Wrapping up

Please note: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Read more about our disclosures and how we approach these reviews in our policies.

What is a balance bike and why should I get one?

I’m Tim, by the way—friend of Fathercraft, dad to the best toddler around, and Chattanoogan who spends as much time as possible outside. As a family, we make it a big priority to make the outdoors fun, engaging, and exciting for our toddler, Fia. So, we’ve had our eyes on a balance bike since she started wobbling across the living room for just that reason.

If you’ve never heard of a balance bike, you’re not alone. When my wife and I were talking about getting our daughter her first bike, the iconic image of pushing her down the driveway (feet on the pedals and training wheels flanking the side) popped straight into my head. But as we looked more into it, it was clear that a balance bike, which doesn’t have peddles or training wheels, was the way to go. 

Why? As it turns out, learning to pedal is the easiest part of riding a bike. So, a balance bike focuses on the challenging part first, which is (you guessed it) balance. By mastering balance first, your child builds confidence in their ability to ride while feeling unstable. Then, once your child has mastered the fundamentals of two wheels, add in the pedals! 

So, that’s it. No pedals. No training wheels. Just two normal-bicycle-sized wheels, a pair of tennies, and the open road (editor’s note: and a helmet, because we’re all about making safety cool here at Fathercraft).

Choosing a balance bike

After deciding that a balance bike was the way to go, it was time to figure out which bike was best. It had to score well in a few categories:

• Safety: I’m a firm believer in the let-them-do-it-themselves approach. But I also want to make sure they-do-it-themselves safely. As bike accidents are sure to happen, we needed our bike to have safety features resulting in less booboos and more woohoos!
• Size: Fia is on the smaller side for her age but also has less risk aversion than your average toddler. We wanted a bike that would fit her size and energy now but could also grow with her. We also needed the bike to be light enough to carry. Toddlers have a lot of strengths, but endurance isn’t one of them.
• Easy assembly: We are a family of movers. My wife and I both work and parent full time so there is not a lot of time for us to figure out how to assemble a dinner much less a 20-piece bike. I like to think I’m handy, but mechanical engineering was never my strong suit. The easier the assembly, the better.
• Toddler enjoyment: Maybe one of the most important factors… Our kid needed to actually enjoy the bike.
• Versatility: There is rarely a weekend where we aren’t going on a hike, playing at a park, camping, or visiting friends and family. We wanted a bike that could handle all our activities with ease. We’ve gotta be able to go from asphalt to gravel to dirt road to grass to gravel again and back to asphalt one last time.

So, how did the Woom balance bike perform in these areas? Let’s find out.

Woom safety features

It’s tough to beat a Woom bike’s safety features. Their bikes designed for children under 6 all come standard with a turn limiter designed to reduce crashes caused by overturning. Each bike also comes with rear brakes designed to fit into a child’s small hands.

Size 

Falling into the lowest size and age categories, we were deciding between the Woom 1 (weighing in at 6.6 lbs, 12″ and made for children ages 1.5-3.5 years old and 31-40’’ tall) and the Woom 1 PLUS (weighing in at 9.5 lbs, 14’’ and designed for children 3-4.5 years old measured 37-43’’ tall). Fia comes in at 2.5 years old and approximately 36’’ (measuring toddlers is difficult), so we opted for the smaller and lighter Woom 1. Out of the 7 color options (two of which are gradient) we settled on purple haze.

Woom also has options. The company carries a variety of bikes in a plethora of sizes from which to choose—the Woom 1 all the way up to the Woom 6—and four different lines (ORIGINAL, OFF & OFF AIR, UP, and NOW). Whatever your wants and needs, Woom has you covered with bikes for kids aged 1.5 to 14! 

Woom assembly

Right from delivery, we loved the Woom 1. It came in reasonably sized packaging which was easy to hide so our daughter wouldn’t see it when she got home from preschool.

The bike itself came mostly preassembled except for the handlebars made to attach by using a 4mm hex key (the small wrench they always provide) to tighten onto the stem. I wanted to go get my bike tool, but decided the tiny tool was good enough for this job. The seat was easily adjustable, and I was able to make my best estimation at where it would land before measuring. When my estimation was wrong, adjusting the seat was a cinch.

Toddler enjoyment

Fia’s face lit up when she saw her new bike! Armed with her excitement and a mantra given to her by this morning’s Daniel Tiger episode, Fia gave three Grrs, fastened her Elsa helmet, swung her leg over the easy clearance, step-through, lightweight frame, mounted the easy-adjustable seat, and pushed her 12” pneumatic tires into action. After a couple of false starts, a handful of seat adjustments, one solid test of the turn limiter, and dad’s personal check of the braking system, Fia was off on an adventure in the front yard. 

We’ll talk about this a bit more in the final verdict, but she learned quickly, too. We were a bit surprised by how often she fell at first, but after a few days, she was cruising. Stay tuned for a video of her terrifying her grandfather by flying down the driveway.

Versatility 

Our Woom 1 balance bike has carved out its own personal spot in our trunk on all family outings. A local Oktoberfest, a trip to the park, and even a camping trip. No matter the surface, be it bike path, gravel, or dirt, the Woom handled the terrain with ease. And even when she decided she was done riding halfway across a bridge, we didn’t mind carrying the bike since it was so lightweight.

Woom 1 vs. competitors 

How does our Woom 1 review stack up against other bikes and trikes? Fathercraft has tried two less expensive alternatives. My wife and I have first-hand experience with the Besrey Elfintrike—a grow-with-you bike we got off Amazon. And, fellow friend of Fathercraft, Matt, tried and reviewed the Strider Bike. We’ll briefly cover each below. 

Woom 1 vs. Elfintrike ($69)

The Woom 1 wasn’t our first bike. Before Fia was ready to take on two wheels, we bought a small tricycle, which could be converted into a balance bike. While nifty, she outgrew it quicker than we had anticipated, and we never actually got to try out the balance bike phase. When we went to replace it, the Woom 1 had all the comforts it didn’t. A comfier seat, ergonomic handlebars, air-inflated wheels, and hand brakes. And while it was more expensive, we thought it was worth the investment. It’s also worth noting that Fia consistently asks for the Woom instead of the Elfintrike and has seemed to get more enjoyment out of the former.

Woom 1 vs. Strider Bike ($109) 

Fathercraft also tested and reviewed the Strider bike, a quality balance bike sold at a lower price point. Matt only had good things to say about this bike: it’s lightweight without feeling cheap, easy for his toddler to use, and he admitted it looks “really cool.”

The Strider bike is ultimately a solid option, but it’s missing some of the safety features boasted by Woom, like the turn limiter and hand brake. And, although both bikes were easy to assemble, Woom has two pieces and Strider had four. 

Which one should you choose? It might depend on how seriously you take biking. The Woom definitely has an extra touch that competitors don’t have. If that’s worth the extra money, the Woom might be for you.

The Verdict: Is the Woom 1 balance bike truly the best? 

So far… yes. What was most impressive was the speed at which Fia was able to develop skill at riding! Her first time on the Woom 1 was a little shaky. Although it wasn’t her first time on wheels, it was her first time trying to balance. Yet, within the first week of having the bike, she was picking up both feet and gliding with ease across our driveway! It was so exciting seeing her be so proud of riding her very own bike.

• Looking for more toddler toys that foster independence? Check out our Lovevery play kit review.

The Awesome

The safety features are a nice touch: Does she know how to use the hand brake? Truthfully, no. But we like that we can introduce it to her. Plus, we believe the turn limiter helps her when she’s barreling down small hills.

Assembly is a breeze: You can’t even really call it assembly. It’s more “stick the handlebars on and go.”

It’s easy to carry or pack in the car: Because it’s so lightweight, we don’t have to worry about her running out of steam. And, it takes up permanent residence in our car, so that she can ride during any and all of our adventures.

Our toddler is crushing it: See video above. No further explanation required.

Just kidding, we’ll provide a bit more information. It actually did take her some time to get the hang of it. She fell a lot at first, but she kept going, and now she’s, well… terrifying her grandparents (and her mom). But we’re all psyched to see how this translates as she gets older and starts using pedals.

This wish-it-were-different

Lifespan: We love the Woom 1—and we wish we could love it longer. Because our daughter is on the smaller side for a 2-year-old, we went with the smallest bike. In a year or so, she’ll likely need something closer to the Woom 1 Plus.

Price: We would indeed be remiss if we did not mention the price point. Ringing up at $249, the Woom 1 skews to the more expensive side of the budget. Some might be wondering if the bang is worth the buck—and for good reason. In our opinion, if you want to see your child enjoy learning and riding a bike with a sense of independence, the Woom 1 is absolutely worth the price. If you think the idea of bike riding is interesting but don’t have a heavy investment into it at the moment, the Woom 1 might not be for you.

Pricing and where to buy

It’s easiest to purchase the Woom 1 directly from their website. That’s the quickest way to see the different color and size options—plus, they offer a no-questions-asked, 30-day return guarantee for a full refund if something doesn’t work for you (but only if you purchase from their site).

As far as we can tell, you can’t purchase a Woom on Amazon. But, you can find it at different outdoor retailers, like REI.

Currently, the Woom 1 is priced at $249, unless you get a fancy ombre color, which raises the price to $259. The Woom 1 Plus, which is sized for slightly older toddlers (3 and older), starts at $299.

Woom 1 “technical bike stuff” and more FAQs

What is the Woom 1 bike’s geometry?

The Woom 1 has:

• 12″ tires
• 18.7″ handlebar height
• 68-degree steering angle
• 10.4″ minimum seat height
• 14.4″ maximum seat height

I’ll offer that my daughter fits onto the bike quite well (better than she fits on the Elfintrike). It simply seams as if it was designed for her.

How do I teach my child how to ride a balance bike?

You don’t. Your job is to provide the right tools (a helmet and a bike), the right environment (a flat surface to start), and some encouragement. You might find that your child is a bit clumsy on the bike at first, but with practice, they start intuitively figuring out how to balance.

How much does the Woom 1 weigh?

The Woom 1 weighs 6.6 pounds. That’s less than my daughter weighed when she was born.

Is Woom an American company?

Woom was founded in a garage in Vienna, Austria. It now has a corporate office and several dealers in the United States, but most of its production occurs at partner facilities around the world.

Wrapping up

Hey, we’re Fathercraft! We invite you to explore more. We review stuff for parents —everything from baby and newborn essentials to books and toys. And, we make stuff that makes parenting even more awesome, like a men’s diaper bag and an online course for expecting dads.

While we would like to leave it at that, there is a lot more to it than ‘having a baby’. Many parents find themselves in analysis paralysis when they start getting into the details of preparing for a baby. We’re here to just give a list of new dad tips as an intro to the kind of research you might find yourself doing as you prepare for your baby.

One thing we want to let you know right off the bat is that every baby is unique and different in their own way. There is no definitive guide on how to be a dad, because everyone gets to shape what being a dad looks like for themselves. The point of this list of tips is to serve as an example of what has worked for some of us in the past. Don’t sweat checking everything off everything on this list religiously– just take the things you like and leave the rest!

Let’s ease into this list of new dad tips with a video that covers 8 great ones. Then, keep reading for a whole bunch more.

1. Do your research early!

If you are reading this list of tips for expectant dads, you are off to a good start. If you are an expecting father, there are a lot of great resources out there for you to prepare yourself for taking care of your baby We compiled a list of the best blogs for new parents to get you started.. We have posts on posts about baby information, gear reviews, baby care guides, checklists, and more here on this website (hi, we’re Fathercraft).

If clicking through links isn’t your jam, then that makes two of us. That’s why we made Father’s Ed, so you wouldn’t have to bookmark a million pages to get all-encompassing information on baby care. It’s an in-depth course on how to take care of your baby backed with research from the pros, tested by real dads (and moms), and filled with helpful resources.

If you’re more the “I need to read massive amounts of information to feel safe” type, check out our comprehensive guide to baby prep or our list of books for expecting dads.

2. Get through the first trimester, read up on pregnancy.

This is a very delicate time in the pregnancy. It’s best to hold off on posting on social media about the news for now, and instead focus on setting up your first appointments with an OB GYN clinic or reviewing the health and safety guidelines for pregnancy (Mayo Clinic). If you’d like to go deep, we published this week by week guide to pregnancy for dads.

This is a great time to start gathering information and doing preliminary research on a few things. No need to go crazy just yet, but creating a basic plan is fairly low-stress and will help you in the long run.

3. Decide where to spend the money

You will be greeted with a ton of price tags when doing your preliminary search for baby preparation. Babies are expensive and worth every penny if you are spending money on the right stuff.

The main things that you should invest in are: cleaning/diapering your baby, safe sleep options, feeding, and moving your baby. You can check out our essentials here.

4. Be there for your partner

As an expecting father, if your partner is pregnant, it can be easy to feel like there’s not much you can to to be a part of this whole baby thing yet. Pause. Think. The first step is getting through the first trimester. You will learn a lot about each other throughout this process, and it may end up changing your relationship. It is okay and common for dynamics to change, but it is also important to stay in tune with one another as you go through these changes.

Remember during this time, your partner is going through a lot (this is true even if your partner isn’t the one who’s pregnant, by the way—couples who are adopting or using a surrogate should think about this too. So, be there for her. Go above and beyond. Give a foot rub. Surprise her with something nice.

5. Sleep!

You better get every wink of sleep you can now, because your nights aren’t gonna get easier when the new baby arrives.

Sleep is without a doubt one of the most important things you can master as an expecting parent. There are ways to find healthy sleeping schedules for your baby, and we actually have a course right here on our website: Baby Sleep School.

It is reasonable to expect nights with little to no sleep— it happens! Don’t let yourself fall into unending sleeplessness, for everyone’s sake, not just yours. Read up on how to get a good schedule for your baby and it will pay back in dividends.

6. Build Dad joke repertoire

Dad jokes come naturally for some, but not for others. Nobody is going to know if you are browsing a dad joke subreddit at midnight. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.

7. Discuss feeding options with your partner

Breastfeeding isn’t a given for everyone. If you are adopting or don’t have access to breastmilk, then formula is going to be the option for you. Even if breastfeeding is an option, it’s something you should discuss with your partner, not assume.

Even if breastfeeding is the option you and your partner have chosen, there are times when it can become difficult to keep supply and demand even. Baby formula can be a life saver and there is no reason to feel any guilt or shame in feeding your baby formula. We have a full in-depth review on a baby formula that knocked our socks off: Bobbie Baby Formula. If you’re looking for more on breastfeeding, the CDC has a nice list of FAQs here (yeah, it might be hard to remember, they do other things than deal with pandemics), and the blog Milk Drunk provides interesting viewpoints from many types of parents.

8. Prepare for cleaning your baby

Keeping your baby clean is keeping your baby healthy. Diapers, boogie wipes, snot suckers, and bottom wash are all things that we have tested. A lot. You can take a look at the products that we like the most on our essential list.

9. Prepare for moving your baby

You will have to take your baby on the move. It will be scary at first (looking at you, drive home from the hospital). Moving precious cargo is a great investment, and it will serve you well to get acquainted with the gear early on. We have a few recommendations of our own if you want to check them out here: Baby Essential List.

10. Things to not worry about

We have a definitive list of things that you should not buy. A crib bumper (see the American Academy of Pediatrics), a stuffed animal for sleepy time (we know, we know—buy one, just keep it on a shelf for now), a blanket, anything that promotes co-sleeping, a copious amount of toys, and baby-proofing stuff.

We’ve compiled some extensive research on safe sleeping habits here, and part of that is keeping the crib free of anything that can cover your baby. As far as toys and baby-proofing stuff, you won’t need that for quite some time. Infants typically don’t crawl or play with toys. Most of the time they will be happy being held or propped up and looking at faces!

11. Power through the second trimester

You made it to the second trimester, hooray! Now is the time most couples start telling people about their baby because the risk factor is lower now.

It is a good idea to start getting more in-depth with your research into finding things like daycare and pediatricians—these things will take longer than you think, so they’re not good candidates for procrastination.

12. Start healthy habits

Habits take time to build, and you being healthy as a new dad can be very important for your baby. The healthier you are, the more energy you will have to devote to your baby. You don’t need to go vegan and start exercising with a fitness group three days a week at 5am. That’s madness. Do little things that make you feel good. Look after yourself and your partner, because little things will one day pass down to your kids. Healthy kids are happy kids.

13. Share responsibilities and divvy things up

Being a great dad starts way before the kid is born. If your partner is pregnant, then it’s probably setting in that there is a literal human being grown in front of your eyes. Give your partner some slack, and help her out with things. Coparenting is a powerful tool and a great example of the creating something greater than the sum of the separate effects. It’s, like, synergy or something guys.

Divvying up tasks can help you feel more included and get you on the right track for coparenting while you wait for the big day.

14. Read what your partner sends & consider an online parenting class

Your partner is likely staying up late reading material about how to parent as well. If they send you stuff, read it! Being on the same page when it comes to preparation is a great idea. Don’t be afraid to send them stuff to read too! And, while reading is great, consider an online parenting class—courses that use video can be a great way to learn skills, knowledge, figure out gear, and more.

15. Go to doctor’s appointments with your partner

There might be scheduling conflicts sometimes, but trying to make it to doctor’s appointments leading up to birth is a great way to show support for your partner. You will also learn a lot about the process from going to the appointments and will be more prepared because of it. The OB’s office is an amazing resource to ask questions and get info from, so don’t be shy.

16. Pause. Halfway through the list, you got this.

Take a minute for yourself. It is too easy to get overwhelmed when preparing for your baby, so stay in tune with yourself and make sure you reach out if you need support. If you don’t know where to turn, hit us up in comments on our socials: Instagram and Youtube, or check out our new online community for dads.

17. Talk and sing to your baby

“My baby isn’t born yet though.” Yeah, we know. Singing and talking to your baby while it is still in the womb can still be very powerful. There is research showing that it can lead to a happier baby, but we believe it can lead to a happier YOU too! It’s about taking time out of your day to be with your baby from the beginning, and strengthening that bond. To make things easier, for now you get to read (or sing) what you and your partner want to. So keep on doing you with those soapy romance novels that are your go-to.

Guess what? If you are adopting, then you will still have a strong bond with a happy child. We promise. Spending time doing research, reading, and preparing for your baby can accomplish the same thing.

18. Practice the ‘snack mix shuffle’

You know that thing dads do when they have peanuts, or like chex mix, in their hand and they shuffle it back and forth? Yeah do that now cause apparently all dads do that for some reason.

19. Read up on your picture/video taking skills

You will no doubt take a million pictures of your baby. Take videos too—you’ll be shocked how fast the years go by, and how hard it is to remember what your 3-year-old was like at 18 months—you will not regret having a stocked video library! It is also important to live in the moment and put the devices down every once and a while to soak up the experience as much as you can. Now’s a great time to learn the power-user features on your phone or camera … upping your picture and video game will lead to priceless memories captured forever.

That being said, turn that iPhone sideways if you are going to take a video. It’s just etiquette.

20. Take a babymoon

A what?? Take a trip for you and your partner before you have your baby. Soon, it will be all baby all the time, which is totally something to look forward to, and you deserve to have one last partners-only trip for a little while where you get to spend some QT as a couple. If you can’t, don’t fret, grandparents and babysitters will be there in the future, but the first little bit with your newborn is when you should be home.

21. Select a pediatrician

You should decided what type of doctor you want first of all (MD, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant), and then utilize resources like your primary care doctor or Google to see who is highly rated in your area. Check for board certification (FAAP, AAP, or ABP), insurance options, proximity to your home, office hours, whether they are accepting new patients, and see if you can interview them.

We have a lot of info on selecting a pediatrician in our Father’s Ed course.

22. Organize your living space

Having a baby at the very least means changing your sleeping habits (aka less sleep). When you have less sleep, things around you become more difficult, so having an organized living space can ease daily tasks. If you are organized, then you will avoid mid-day tantrums when you are looking for that damn monitor unit or favorite home-teamipillow that you swore you just placed on the coffee table a minute ago (though let’s be honest your wife probably hid the pillow).

Organization requires building good habits, and good habits start early.

23. Acquire useless knowledge

One of the beauties of being a dad is using acquired useless trivia from your life at any given moment to befuddle your child one day. The “how do you even know that”‘s are totally worth it.

24. Wait out the third trimester.

Things are starting to get real now. You are more than two-thirds through the pregnancy stage and the due date is approaching rapidly. Now is a great time to start hammering out the little details and printing out checklists for when the baby is born. Do ‘future you’ a favor and put in the hard work now.

25. Discuss the boring, but important, admin details

Things like health insurance, life insurance, wills, employer benefits, and certificates are all things that are worth paying attention to. Discussing what you are going to do for each of these items with your partner might be a drag, but doing so can save a lot of hassle down the line. You don’t want to assume anything with insurance companies, it’s just not a good practice.

Figure out what your plan will look like once you add a baby onto it, then you can adjust other pieces of your financial pie accordingly. Planning and staying on top of things is draining, but by planning and discussing, it will make it easier. The hardest part is starting. Again, our pre-birth checklist has some good conversation starters to help ensure you’re on the same page with your partner.

26. What parent do you want to be?

Our advice for new dads is to have a conversation with yourself about this. Reflect on your own childhood. What do you want to do that you think your parents did a good job of? What things are you going to change? Being an awesome dad is something you have control over, so will you choose to take up that role? Take this seriously, but not so seriously you freak yourself out. Remember, if you’re the kind of guy that’s reading this blog post, it means you care. That’s a huge head start.

27. Hospital baby bag

Things like phone chargers, clothes for you, clothes for your baby, reading material, caffeine (hospital coffee sucks), snacks, camera, a list of names, and a comfortable pillow are all great things to bring to the hospital. Whatever you can do to make your trip to the hospital as smooth as possible.

28. Have checklists handy

Got checklists? We do! Take a gander at these — we’ve got one on prepping your nursery (with a big surprise in it about where your baby should be sleeping), a comprehensive pre-birth readiness checklist, and one essential gear for newborns and babies. We really like checklists.

You will too when you start trying to keep track of everything you need to do to prep just in your head. Do yourself a favor, son: Fathercraft Checklists.

29. Your baby is born! Now go home!

Congrats! Now get out of that hospital and go home to your baby-ready household. Remember, don’t sweat the rubber pads on everything at this point. Your baby won’t be on the move for quite some time.

We’re talking about making sure your house has smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and a safe sleeping environment for your baby. A safe sleeping environment for your infant should be in the room you sleep in (but NOT the same bed) for at least the first 6 months. Check out why from American Academy of Pediatrics.

30. Learn the cues, remember baby talk is manly (and sexy, too)

You can continue talking and singing to your baby to build that relationship with them, but you will notice that in a couple months’ time they start talking back. Their way of talking is obviously gonna be different than what you’re used to. It’s ok to be confused at first, we all are. Learning your baby’s cues is something that will come with spending time with your baby. You will have a PHD in your own baby’s language by the time they are babbling in English, just give it some time.

One more thing: bring on the baby talk voice! You might find this comes a whole lot more naturally than you expect (both of Fathercraft’s co-founders did). You might feel like it’s awkward at first. Fear not, you’ll be a baby talk pro in no time. Don’t be afraid to get goofy. Here’s a secret: your wife, husband, or partner will probably find it sexy as hell to see you gettin’ all goofy with your little one—it means you’re an awesome caregiver.

31. Be there

When babies are first born, they don’t do too much. That’s ok, though, because you can still do things to be present with your baby. Talking, singing, and reading are all things that will enrich the baby’s life, plus it can help strengthen your bond. Look, you’re going to have moments when you hop on your phone to check the score of the game or the latest Slack alert from work. Don’t beat yourself up about it. But remember what we said—even when the days (and nights) are dragging, years will slip by in a moment—so hang with your baby, toddler, little kid, big kid, teenager …

32. Learn to brag

By this point, you’re off to an awesome start, so I think you’re about ready to transition into the obnoxious social-media parent that brags about how awesome their child is. Or not. Maybe for you it’s your family’s text message thread, sending your partner a cute selfie of you and the baby while she or he is at work—you do you. And also, you be sure to set some ground rules with your partner about what’s in-bounds and off-limits.

33. Take everything with a grain of salt, remember there’s no perfect parenting, and have fun

We do a lot of research about babies, baby gear, baby food, sleep, so on and so forth. That doesn’t mean we have all the answers. The crazy part about being a dad/parent is there is no single right way to do it, because every baby is so unique. We hope these tips can give you at least some direction, but without a doubt, you will find things that work for you that aren’t on this list.

Whatever you do, remember to have some fun. Laugh it off. Take parenting seriously, but not yourself. And enjoy the journey.

What’s next?

Hi, we’re Fathercraft. We make stuff that makes parenting more awesome. Learn more by heading right over here.