Baby gear from a new dad's perspective

Do as the scouts do; be prepared
In my experience, as a bloke you will go from feeling like a powerful baby making machine when the pregnancy is confirmed to sheer terror as you realise how a baby actually comes into the world (though with little pain to you personally) and that you know NOTHING about what to do when you leave the hospital a few days later.

A copy of a good baby guide will help you get through the first tough, sleep-deprived, weeks. Ultimately, you can’t be too rigid about routines and these things as babies are little humans with their own eccentricities and quirks, but at least it will help with the basics.

Restrain your baby with a tight baby wrap
They love it! Babies like to be wrapped up all tight when little – but are also adept at escaping and waking as a result. A Velcro tabbed baby wrap takes all the drama out of getting them in and keeping it that way. They’re genius.

Bounce that baby
Today’s bouncers are high tech versions of what you had as a kid. No need to actually bounce your baby with your foot, just turn on the battery, listen to the music and watch your little one be enchanted by the toys and lights (ours had a little bird that twirled around much to our son’s delight). Anything that gives you enough time to have a shower undisturbed or even to sit for 10 minutes uninterrupted is gold.

Movie marathon
When your partner has an alien wanting to suckle from her boobs every few hours, she deserves whatever rest she can get. So the late-night shift should really go to dad. Make sure your technology is up to date and catch up on all those TV series you meant to watch but never had time – one after the other, after the other…

The wheels
Your pram will double as a spare bedroom for your baby. I don’t think it adds value to your house, but it is critical for getting those sleeping patterns on track. And make sure it has a good cup holder on the side! Finally something the Americans got right – you’ll be surprised how bloody useful they are.

But the most useful ‘things’ for a new dad aren’t what you need to buy, but what you need to plan.

TLC
Giving birth is a bit like being in a car crash, so mum needs lots of love and looking after. It’s OK for us blokes when our participation in baby care is optional (I bet you’ll tell mum ‘I’d feed the baby if I could’ – you know its true!) but mums don’t get a break. So look after her any way you can. A happy and rested mum = a happy dad; trust me.

Time
I took parental leave for the first six weeks after birth. It is time you will never regret as you watch your baby grow and bond to you both. There really isn't anything at your work that can't wait; you have no excuses and you wont regret it.