Inside Danny Pellegrino’s Baby Registry for Two-Dad Families
Danny Pellegrino built the baby registry he couldn’t find—one that speaks to two-dad families like his.
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Danny Pellegrino, host of the Everything Iconic podcast, author, actor and pop culture enthusiast, is adding a new title to his repertoire—dad! He and his husband Matt are expecting their first baby via surrogacy this year.
When Danny first started researching baby products, he quickly realized most of the content out there was designed with straight couples in mind. “A lot of the branding on baby products is centered on ‘moms,’ whether it be in the naming of products or the packaging, so it can be confusing when it’s a dad (or two) shopping,” Pellegrino shared. He found himself wishing for baby gear advice that spoke to his own experience as a gay dad.
His biggest tip? “I think it’s important to reach out to other gay dads in your community to find what works for them. Every family is different, but it’s nice to connect with other gay couples who understand the branding issue with baby products marketed exclusively to women, as well as understanding which products you may not need as a gay dad.” Having that network of friends, he says, helped calm his nerves and made building a registry feel a lot less overwhelming.
So, Pellegrino curated his Babylist baby registry with that perspective front and center. He and Matt visited the Babylist Showroom in Beverly Hills to try out all the gear in person. Their registry is filled with practical items, like the Nuna PIPA, Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0 stroller and Halo BassiNest, and picks that hold special meaning, like his favorite book from childhood, Good Night, Little Bear, and And Tango Makes Three, a book in which baby will see their family represented.
Whether you’re a fellow gay dad, part of a two-dad household or just looking for a fresh take on baby gear, Danny’s registry is both thoughtful and relatable. And true to Danny’s style, it’s not just a list—it’s a running commentary. Every pick comes with his candid take, filled with practical tips, pop culture nods and a lot of love.
“The dadada Soho 3-in-1 Convertible Crib was perfect for us because it’s well-crafted and simple. We wanted to mix wood colors in the nursery so everything didn’t look too matchy. I was shocked at how easily it was put together (especially compared to the dresser, which requires multiple people, hours, and a degree in puzzle building).”
“We liked the dadada Soho crib so much, we decided to get their Soho dresser too. It's spacious without being too big for our room. Just be sure to set aside a (very) long afternoon to put it together! Once it is though, it's sturdy and gorgeous!”
“These OXO drawer dividers are a MUST for anyone who is type A like me. They make organizing the drawers so easy and you can adjust the length depending on how you want to separate the dresser items. I put them in all the drawers and I'm so excited about how organized it is (for now, I'm sure it will look a mess after a few middle-of-the-night feedings, but at least the dividers will help!).”
babyletto Crib Sheet in GOTS Certified Organic Muslin Cotton - Terracotta Rainbow
From $34.00“We loved the little subtle rainbow design on these crib sheets from babyletto. Plus, they're so soft! Maybe babyletto needs to start making sheets for adult beds????”
Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0 and Bassinet Bundle - Sky/Windowpane Canopy With Penny Leather
From $709.00“We looked at so many different strollers and I’m sure we’ll use others for other things, but the Mockingbird came highly recommended and after putting it together, I know why. It’s sturdy, gorgeous and comes with a bassinet. The price was also great compared to some of the other high end ones we saw, and I really think it looks great!”
“We tried the BabyBjorn bouncer in the Babylist showroom and can see why it’s a favorite. I just wish they sold adult size ones like they have in the showroom! They also offer lots of great colors and the material is so soft.”
“I like all the Itzy Ritzy products, but these blocks are especially adorable. They go with our woodland-y theme and make me smile every time I see them. For toys, I really try to find things that work as decor as much as they do for functionality.”
babyletto Quilt in 3-Layer GOTS Certified Organic Muslin Cotton - California
From $79.99“The babyletto bedding came recommended to us, and we also loved this quilt from them. Super soft and gorgeous design. I think it will work great for a play mat, quick diaper change when we're not near the changing table, or just a nice blanket to have when needed.”
“I know baby won't be walking for a little while, but after doing a lot of research on walkers, I came to like this Radio Flyer option. There are so many different elements on it that I think are great for playing even before our child can walk on his own. The classic design also makes me feel nostalgic, and the materials feel like high quality. The top reminds me of my childhood dentist's office (playing with toys in the lobby was the only fun part of getting my chompers cleaned when I was a kid).”
“The Sophie teether was one of the items my sister-in-law told me was a must. My nieces and nephews all loved her and I remember them always having this with them when I would go back home to Ohio to visit, so I know it's baby-approved.”
“I'm an author myself, so I became obsessed with building our little one’s library. Probably too obsessed, but that’s not the point. Of course I filled it with a bunch of the classic books I grew up on, things like Curious George and Goodnight Moon, many of my own that my mom had saved from when I was a kid, but I also looked for LGBTQ friendly stories like And Tango Makes Three. There aren’t a ton of options for gay dads when it comes to books (hopefully I’m able to change that, who wants to offer me a children’s book deal?), anyway, And Tango Makes Three is a must-have for the gay dads.”
“Speaking of books, Good Night, Little Bear was one of my faves, and since most of the early reading we'll be doing with baby is for the parents, I figured I would like to have something I loved that makes me feel nostalgic! I think it's also good to have lower priced items on the registry for people with varying budgets. Board books and Little Golden Books are great for friends and family who want to congratulate you without breaking the bank AND they're truly my favorite gift. For [a] bookshelf, I recommend a Montessori style with the book covers facing outward and not too tall so that baby can get used to seeing books and as they get older, can pick one out themselves.”
Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro - White/Black
From $219.99“Everyone told me I need the Baby Brezza. It was non-negotiable with my friends, so I added [it] to the registry!! I’m nothing if not easily influenced. Can’t wait to try the bottle washer and the formula maker!”
“Our nursery has a lot of woodland and forest animals throughout, so I thought bath time should be a different aesthetic…WHALES! I’m sure we could just use a cup, but how adorable is the little whale pitcher for bathing baby?? The other whale goes over the faucet in the bath so there aren’t any sharp edges.”
Fisher-Price Fisher Price Glow and Grow Kick & Play Gym - Blue
From $39.88“The Fisher Price Kick & Play Gym is another one of the items I came across on my research that everyone said was a must for tummy time. Fortunately, I’m already familiar with the purple monkey song it plays from a friend of mine who has a baby who’s obsessed, so I’m all ready to duet with this thing.”
Hanna Andersson Sesame Street 2-Way Zip Sleeper
From $37.00“I'm terrified my baby won’t like [the] Muppets, so I’m hoping by outfitting him in Sesame Street clothes, he’ll grow to have an affinity for them at a young age. I love all the Hanna Andersson jammies and try my best to exclusively stock up on ones with two-way zippers or any that I can’t screw up in the middle of the night! They have such cute designs!”
Magnetic Me As Truck Would Have It Modal Magnetic Footie
From $32.00“These magnetic onesies from Magnetic Me are adorable and (almost) impossible to screw up when running on zero hours of sleep!”
“I try my best to be organized, so the more bins, the better. This one from Wayfair is a good size and goes with our theme!”
“For car seats, we went with the Nuna PIPA rx. There are so many choices, but we liked how easy this was when we tested it at the Babylist showroom. I already installed ours and it couldn't have been simpler. It also attaches to our Mockingbird stroller with an [adapter], so if needed we can transfer pretty easily.”
Veer All-Terrain Cruiser Wagon - All-Terrain Cruiser Wagon
From $611.63“We love to take walks and go on picnics where I pretend I live in a Nancy Meyers movie, so this Veer cruiser came highly recommended for when baby gets a little bigger. Plus, plenty of room for snacks.”
Halo BassiNest Connected Swivel Sleeper 3.0 - Grey
From $449.95“We plan to have the baby in the bedroom during the newborn phase, and we like how this Halo bassinet has a lot of the features of the other more expensive smart bassinets without being outrageously expensive.”
“We’re waiting until baby is here to decide which diapers we like best, but in the meantime we're stocking up on wipes!”
