I bounced with anticipation in the hallway outside of the surgery room as my wife was being prepped for surgery. We’d been in the hospital for two full days, and my baby was being as stubborn as me—starting breech, and then just deciding to stay put. So a C-section it would be.
I was completely exhausted, having slept on a hospital room couch this whole time. Obviously, nothing compared to a pregnant woman who was completely drained, but the anticipation of my child about to join the world had filled me with adrenaline, and I found myself amped up, listening to AC/DC in a hallway like I did when I was warming up for a wrestling match back in high school.
Someone dressed in scrubs busted through the doors to the surgery room and said, “Okay, Dad, it’s time to meet your baby.”
Side note: my wife and I had not found out the baby’s sex yet. We’d waited 41 years to become parents, and we figured, why not wait a bit longer?
I entered the room, completely in a daze, and found myself being ushered to a seat next to my beautiful mama-to-be. In a flash, I was staring at the most beautiful baby in the whole wide world, and I blurted out, “It’s a boy!” He was placed on my wife for that immediate skin-on-skin time, and suddenly, we were a family of three.
Next thing I know, I’m being ushered again to a side table where I cut the cord, completely bypassing my aversion to blood, replaced by unconditional love. My son was swaddled and handed to me by the nurse. I burst into tears in what I can only describe as the most incredible moment of my existence.
I didn’t know I was missing him until I held him, and suddenly I was Dada. We stared into each other’s eyes, and we instantly bonded. Words fail to completely encapsulate the moment, but know this: your life—everything you’ve done to lead you to this point—it was preparation to be that little babe’s perfect parent. You are inextricably woven together through the fabric of the universe. It’s awesome in every sense of the word.
I told myself to keep that part brief, but how can I possibly describe the birth of my child in the briefest of ways for a blog piece? I can’t. I watched my son being born, and it was my family’s special miracle moment.
Okay, so after the rush has worn off and you settle into the room, and eventually bringing your baby home. Maybe you’re like me, and you’re stressing and worried and planning and have anxiety because you’ve never even held a baby for more than five minutes or changed a diaper… Phew. What do babies need? How do I keep this precious little cherub alive now? Wait, what diapers do I get?
If this sounds like you, first, I’m here to tell you that You Got This! Here’s something I told my wife right away: Every Single Decision You Make As A Parent Is Right! There’s no one way to raise YOUR baby. You know them better than anyone else on Earth. That’s right, you. Not gam gam, or some random stranger at the pharmacy. You. You will get to know their wants and needs in ways that make you psychic.
Now, this all said, I had no flipping clue what to buy for a baby. I didn’t know what to put on my registry. I was lost. Luckily I have an amazing sister-in-law that helped a bunch. If you don’t, or just want another perspective—I’ve got you. I’m going to lay out some of the things that were so helpful for us, and then at the end, there’s going to be a link to my complete baby essentials guide. These are the things that we found helpful, what we actually used, what’s field-tested, and what’s not a complete pile of dino dung.
Now, I’m going to say this one more time—I got you. If you read this and you’re still stressed, contact me. Seriously, I’ve got you. We’re going to get through this.
I also want to add: do not feel obligated to buy new! Babies are hella expensive. Use this as a shopping list, and try to shop local thrift stores. We've got a couple of secondhand baby stores nearby, and we've picked up some pretty expensive stuff for cheap—and like new. Save money where you can.
1: Daily Essentials
Diaper Bag / Backpack
I’m 6’ tall and, on a good day, I’m 225 pounds. The backpack we first ordered felt like one of those athletic drawstring bags—no padding, didn’t fit right, not enough room—so we sent it back and switched to my current hiking backpack. Kind of a win-win, because I bought a new one, haha.
This is obviously what worked for our house, but the takeaway here is: don’t feel like you’re trapped with something that isn’t comfortable. You’re going to carry this thing everywhere—get something that feels good.
Inside the pack, we keep all kinds of gear for my son: toys, snack containers, burp cloths, and a diaper-changing kit bag (yes, a bag within a bag) that holds his wipes, powder, a little changing mat, etc.
Pro tip: In the diaper pack, keep a spare top and bottom for yourself too. Trust me—I’ve had poo drip down my leg and barf all over me. Be a scout. Be prepared.
Here’s a breakdown of what we keep inside:
- 40L Pack Osprey Farpoint 40L: Check Price
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Diaper Bag Organizer (bag within the bag): Check Price
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Stainless Steel Snack Organizers: Check Price
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Burp Cloths (soft): Check Price
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Spinner Toy (keeps them busy, you need to eat): Check Price
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Bum Bum Cream: Check Price
- Bum Bum Powder: Check Price
- Travel/Portable Sound Machine: Check Price
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Sippy Cup: Check Price
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Pacifier/Binky: Check Price
- Travel/Stroller Fan: Check Price
- Teether Toy: Check Price
- Diapers: Check Price *We use coterie, but you do you and what you think is best*
Section 2: Outdoor and Adventure Gear
By the Gods, we have tested so many of these—front loaders, back loaders, shoulder toppers, wraps, packs, and more. I can and will give you my honest opinions, but these are just recommendations. What works for me may not work for you. Every body is different, so don’t be afraid to switch things up. As your baby grows, you’re going to need to adapt and transition to different carriers too.
Baby Carrier:
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Newborn to Toddler(ish): Beco Baby Carrier Check Price
This carrier crosses in the back for solid support. You can wear your little one on your back, front, hip, and facing in or out. Facing in works well for naps, and as they get older, they usually want to face outward to see the world. It’s comfortable and adapts as you go. -
Hiking: Osprey Poco Premium Check Price
Full disclosure: this one’s spendy — but it’s worth it. We thought about it for a while, and it came down to this: we hike a lot. I mean, a lot. This is gear that will last, and your child can grow into it. We got ours when the little dude was about six months old. He sits up top, all strapped in, and he’s happy. It has a storage compartment, a kickstand, and spots for water bottles. It’s premium, but we use it constantly, and it’s about as comfy as you can get. -
Everyday: MiniMeis G5 Check price
This is our latest addition, and it’s pretty neat. My baby boy rides atop his man-servant (me) on neighborhood walks or short strolls through the woods. It’s super easy to use — which is key for me — and it even folds down. He loves this one because he gets to sit up high and slap my bald head over and over. We actually found ours secondhand for like 45 bucks. Seriously, shop around. Baby stuff is $$$.
Section 3: Treat Dada
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Husqvarna Hatchet: Check Price
I really enjoy wood carving (when I have the time), especially hatchet-carving spatulas and spoons. This is the tool I use — it’s lightweight, high quality, and feels great in hand. It’s also perfect for making kindling while camping or handling whatever small tasks you throw at it. -
Stainless Steel Whisky Glass: Check Price
Stainless steel because a toddler is going to have to really work to break this. -
Microfiber Camping Towel: Check Price
If you enjoy backpacking and hiking like me, you'll really appreciate this towel. It folds small, and it dries fast. -
Garmin fenix 7X Pro Saphire Solar: Check Price
This one's a little spendy, but I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t genuinely love it. I spend a lot of time in remote places, and the built-in GPS and mapping features on this watch are a game-changer. One of my favorite uses? I’ll start a kayaking activity and switch the display to map view while on the water. I can literally see what’s around the bend in real time and adjust my route accordingly. Plus, the built-in flashlight is a lifesaver for those midnight bathroom breaks when you don’t want to flip on the overhead light. -
Pitbull Skull Shaver: Check Price
I shaved my head for years and tried everything—shower shaves, hot towels, razors galore. It was messy, time-consuming, and left my scalp raw. Then I gave this head shaver a shot, and I’m never going back. No nicks, no irritation, done in 2–3 minutes. Total game-changer. Big Upgrade. Highly recommend.
If you're like me... I'm sorry to your family. I buy everything I need and want the second I think about it. I'll add some more gift ideas over time.
*Personal Note*
No child should be anyone’s marketing gimmick. No child should be exploited by their parent. You’ll notice I haven’t shown my son’s face—his digital privacy is paramount. Kids deserve our protection. Keep them safe. Keep their images offline.