When I had my first son, he made his way home and took care of his shower and grooming there. The second time around, I wanted him to stay with me. However, while packing my hospital bag, I failed to pack (or remind my husband to) a change of clothes and any toiletries for my husband. He felt very grimy by the end of that particular weekend. So, if I ever do it again, I’d like to treat him with something nice like the Herban Lifestyle Man Facial Soap (among a few other things.) It’s organic and it’ll keep him feeling refreshed and smelling nice. $7 from Etsy seller HerbanLifestyle. Free shipping in the U.S. until December 31st!

Moms don’t usually worry about what to wear while giving birth (since we often don’t have a say in the matter and have to wear those lovely hospital gowns) but Dads can wear whatever they’d like in the labor and delivery room. These “I’m the Daddy” medical scrubs from DaddyScrubs are perfect. They’ll help make Dad feel more a part of the “action” in the delivery room, and commemorate his importance in this blessed event. These would make a great gift for an expectant dad as well. You can view DaddyScrubs at DaddyScrubs.com, where they sell for $39.95 per set. Also take a look at their “I’m the Daddy” t-shirts and mugs, great gifts for any Dad at any time.

This Compact Journey pack from Petunia Pickle Bottom is a great option for dads on the go. A slightly smaller version of the popular Scout bag, this piece of dad gear looks great and has all of the features of a full-sized bag, from stroller clips to bottle pockets, and an easy-clean lining. The look of this felt bag is so clean and classic that no one will ever know it is a diaper bag. You can purchase one for $147 at TuttiBella.com.

Here’s a unique diaper bag that either a mom or dad could carry without feeling out of place. Made by Allen Ave., this bag features a great orange air plane print on a rich brown background. Designed to stand upright on its own, this bag is easy to pack and unpack. It has lots of pockets to keep all those infant essentials organized, and a padded shoulder strap to ease the burden of all that stuff. Plus, since it doesn’t look like a traditional diaper bag, it will serve you well as an overnight bag once your little one is out of diapers. You can purchase one for $99.99 at Oompa.com.

Here is a truly unique product: the HeartString Baby’s Companion is designed as a breastfeeding aid, pendant, and teether, all in one. It is a touchable, tuggable, teethable product you can wear and baby can enjoy during breastfeeding, as a teether, or just as another way to bond with baby. When feeding or breastfeeding, it’s designed to keep baby’s interest where it belongs - at the breast. Likewise, Dad can wear it around his neck at feeding time to keep continuity between Mom feeding and Dad feeding, and also to keep baby interested. HeartString Baby’s Companion is non-toxic, containing no BPA, phthalates, PVC, lead or latex. It comes in a drawstring pouch, and is available in a number of colors. You can purchase one for $27.95 CAD (about $24 USD) at HeartStringCompanions.com. It would also make a great gift idea for a new parent.

Everyone seems to be creating new iPhone apps these days. Here’s one that has a real, necessary purpose: Baby Brain, by Maternia LLC. Created by parents of two babies ages 6 months and 22 months, Baby Brain allows parents to time and record breast or bottle feedings, diaper changes, and sleep habits with just a tap/touch on the iPhone/iPhone touch. It allows you to email reports to spouses, caregivers, or doctors, view daily/weekly/monthly stats, and see your baby’s natural patterns. Recently featured in Forbes magazine, Baby Brain can be purchased at iTunes app store for $4.99.

Though baby bath seats seem pretty practical and safe to me, my husband hates using them. He is the main bather of babies in this house and he thinks that it is difficult to wash the baby when he is inside our seat and it is a pain to get baby in and out of it. However, the Dreambaby Tee-Zed opens in the front (on the toy bar) making it much more simple to get baby in and out. I imagine that would make washing baby a bit easier as well. Open, wash, close and let baby play. On sale for $19.99 at HappyBabyStore.com, it’s an improvement on previous bath seat designs.

New parents are usually interested in keeping track of everything their newborn does - from how much and when she eats, to how many times a day she soils her diaper and what color it is, to nap and sleep times. It’s very important to note these behaviors, especially if you’re breastfeeding. That’s why I like Aunt LaLa’s Log by RosieBear, a company made up of two sisters who create must-haves for new moms. It’s a stylish way to record your baby’s behaviors and patterns during her first three months of life. Aunt LaLa’s Log is available in girl, boy, and generic design, in Standard format. Normally sellling for $29.95 for Standard format or $49.95 for Twins format, UpscaleBaby.com readers can purchase this innovative product at a 10% discount for a limited time only, by accessing http://www.rosiebear.com/index_files/FabulousFriends.htm and entering the code UPSCALE. (You can only receive the discount by accessing this specific page, not by going to the website and ordering through the normal process).

Here’s a great gift for a Dad celebrating his first Father’s Day this year: Proud Parent Pins - Dad Version. Made by Wry Baby, this is a set of 5 hilarious pins that new dads can definitely relate to: Sleep is For the Weak, New Dad, Poopy Happens, Hands On Dad, and World Class Baby Maker. This is a great baby shower or new baby gift as well. The set of 5 pins sells for just $9 at SassyMonsters.com

I’ve found the perfect Father’s Day gift for my husband. He will absolutely love these “Like Father, Like Son” matching tees by Little & Large. There are other designs available, including “Chip Off the Old Block,” “Me” and “Mini Me,” and “The President” and “The First Baby.” These would also be great gifts for first-time dads any time of the year. Available in a variety of sizes, from baby age 6 months to 6 years and dads with chest measurements from 40″ to 48″, you can view these shirts at Little-Large.com, where they sell for $37.

Many people are purchasing products that help them track their newborn’s feedings, naps, and diaper changes. While to me it sounds like more work (in part because it is one more object to keep track of), I do like the idea of a new product from Mobile Works Software that lets you do all of these things on your iPhone or iTouch. If you are already glued to your phone, why not put it to use? It seems worth a try to me, especially since it’s now on sale for $6.99. You can purchase it at the iTunes store, and read more at mobileworkssoftware.com. Unfortunately, if you’re a Blackberry user like me, you are out of luck!

Stylish dads who are looking for a diaper bag that will blend in with their attire may want to check out Baby Kaed’s Dali Mens Messenger Diaper Bag. This bag, made from leather and nylon, is not immediately identifiable as a diaper bag. That said, it manages to hold and organize everything that is necessary for going out in the world with a little one. It even has a laptop compartment. As a working mother, I think I’m just a tad offended that no one gears a business diaper bag toward women. This one is available for $197.95 at stellamaternity.com.

As a nursing mother, I’m afraid I’m always the one on duty when it comes to night time feedings, but I still had to smile when I saw these new parent pillowcases from Wry Baby. The set includes two reversible cases reading “on duty” on one side and “off duty” on the other. The pillow cases are 100% cotton and would make a great gift for any new parent with a good sense of humor. You can purchase the set for $34 at babyexquisite.com.  

What better gift to present to a new parent than a digital key chain? Though you should shop around for the one you like best, I spotted a simple, inexpensive Insignia 1.8” LCD Digital Photo Key Chain at BestBuy.com that claims to hold 40 pictures and has a rechargeable battery. Showing off a new blessing has never been easier than it is in our digital world. Just make sure the person you are giving it to has a computer or access to one, because it will make loading it up much easier. Offered in black, red, or indigo, at $19.99 you can’t lose. The manufacturers maintain that you can even see it in dim lighting. I’m thinking of adding digital key chains to my ongoing personal list of things I like to give at baby showers.

This diaper bag looks cool enough for the hippest dads. Made by DadGear, the Route 66 Messenger Bag is designed to look like a bike messenger bag, yet on the inside, it’s a highly organized diaper bag. The bag is “hands free” so that you can access everything inside the bag without having to put your child down. Inside the bag is a Quick Access Wipes Case, two large pockets, two tall zippered pockets, and a changing pad, and two bottle pockets are accessible from the outside or the inside of the bag. Dad will hopefully be proud to carry this stylish, masculine-looking diaper bag. You can purchase the Route 66 Messenger Bag at Kitsel.com for $79. It would make a great new dad (or, thinking ahead, Father’s Day) gift.