Best baby kit for designer dads

Today’s fathers may be more hands-on when it comes to looking after babies and toddlers, but that doesn’t mean that they feel comfortable sashaying through a restaurant clutching a pink, fluffy changing bag. Luckily, manufacturers have spotted this dad-sized hole in the market. They know that men demand different things from their baby products and are producing much more masculine-looking gadgets in response. From rugged strollers to baby changing backpacks, here’s a round-up of a few favourites:

Prams

There may be all sorts of prams and pushchairs out there, but make sure you get something dad likes too if you want him to do his fair share of the pushing. Men might prefer to be seen with something more rugged, like a three wheeled jogging-stroller – great for a smooth ride. The celeb favourite Bugaboo Bee has also been given a manly dark denim makeover recently, plus its adjustable handles means it’ll feel just as comfortable for dads as it is mums.

Changing bags

Forget girly pastel colours and styles that resemble handbags. These days, changing bags come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – you can even get sporty looking backpacks and duffles. Take the BabaBing Daytripper Paternity satchel, for example. As the name would suggest, it’s a product aimed directly at dads. There are no polka dots or garish colours here, just durable fabrics in black or grey, plus handy pockets for a wallet and mobile phone.

Slings

Baby-wearing is a great way to bond with your newborn while leaving your hands free to get on with some DIY. For older babies and toddlers, baby carriers can get you to places, such as the beach, that are simply out of bounds to the stroller. A great option for active dads is the Littlelife Voyager. Its straps adjust from extra small to extra large, and it has loads of padding on the shoulders and waist to make it comfy enough to wear all day.

Gadgets

Getting dad a gadget is a sure-fire way of getting him excited about the whole idea of fatherhood. Thankfully, when it comes to baby products there are plenty on the market, from high tech video baby monitors to the latest camera perfect for those new arrival shots .Featured on ITV’s This Morning earlier this year, the Yoomi, an ergonomically designed baby bottle and warmer in one, is perfect for dads who are out and about. They’ll never have to ask to use the microwave in a restaurant again.

Nursery furniture

Cots and cribs can be so hard to put up, it’s no wonder that some dads break out in a cold sweat when it comes to buying nursery furniture. But here’s something to get him excited: The Bloom range’s signature ‘no tools’ method means no more fiddling with screwdrivers. Most importantly, the furniture is achingly stylish and eco friendly, and designed to grow with your child. For example, the cot can sleep a child from newborn to four, so it’ll end up being good value for money – great for cost-conscious dads.