Preparing For Baby Number 2

Congratulations mama on the soon to be new addition to your family!

Aside from all of the other thoughts and emotions that may be running through your head during this time. You may be wondering what all do I need to buy new for second, third, fourth, fifth baby?

We still have a few months before our new bundle of joy will arrive. Although, I have already been busy trying to get all things organized and figure out what I need to buy/do before he/she arrives.

Thankfully, being the second one, there is not a lot that we have to buy. As we can reuse a lot of the baby gear from our first kiddo. We kept most all of Oaklynn's clothes and baby gear such as swing, bouncer, stroller, carrier, monitor, etc. Plus the infant car seat has not expired.Our bank account has definitely thanked us for keeping these larger items.

Although, there are of course a few things that I will need to buy, along with a few items that are just nice to have new.

I have separated this list into two portions, reusable items and newly bought items. As well as into different sections such as gear and activity, nursing, feeding, diapering, bath, etc.

So lets go ahead and get started mama! I hope this list helps you get things sorted out for what you will need to buy new for baby!

Reusable Items

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Strollers and Car Seats

Travel System

Whether you have it stuffed in your garage or in the downstairs closet, you will want to pull your travel system back out and get it washed up.

If you currently do not have a travel system, I recommend getting one. The travel system makes things so much easier when wanting to push your newborn in a stroller. Just click the car seat onto the stroller and you are set to go. It is just as easy to remove the car seat from the stroller and strap into your vehicle.

To me, travel systems are the way to go. As they come with the stroller, car seat, and car seat base. This makes it cheaper than buying each piece separately. You will also know for sure that your car seat will be compatible with your stroller.

I am a huge fan of jogging strollers, so this is my definite go to travel system! Although, this system consists of a jogging stroller as well, and is a little cheaper!

Stroller/Car Seat

If you do not have a travel system. Get out that stroller and car seat and get it washed up.

Although, one thing you will want to be certain of is that your car seat has not expired. Car seats typically expire after six years from the date of manufacture. There will be a sticker located on your car seat with the serial number as well as the manufacture and expiration date.

You may also want to consider purchasing a double stroller.

Car/Car Seat Accessories

Most of these items are still out and already in my vehicle, as I use them for my toddler. One of my all time favorite items that I could not live without is the car mirror. I cannot tell you how many times I looked in my rear view mirror to check on my infant, now toddler.

I will actually be purchasing an additional car mirror, as I am not ready to give up the one that I use to look at my toddler in the back seat. She is still rear facing, so it is still used on a daily basis.

I will also be purchasing an additional seat protector as well. You probably already know how messy kids are. Milk thrown down the car door, cracker crumbs everywhere. Although, these seat protectors will protect your seats from stains and the wear and tear of your upholstery that your car seat may cause.

Window shades are also a must for me. I LOVE these ones are they are so affordable and come in a pack of 4. They are also proven to block 99.79% of UVA and 99.95% of UVB.

And you of course will want to get out that car seat cover as well.

Gear and Activity

Baby Carrier

Get that baby carrier out and easily accessible. If you don't have one, I highly recommend getting one! This is one of my absolute favorite baby items. Doing dishes, working in the garden, cooking supper, going for a small walk, makes things so much easier when you use a baby carrier.

This carrier is a great one! If you aren't familiar with carriers, make sure to read my post all about the benefits of them. It also contains other baby carrier recommendations as well as safe wearing practices.

Pack-N-Play

This was a definite must for us when traveling. So if shoved in the back of the storage room, pull it to the front!

Bouncer/Rocker/Swing

All things that you most likely already have from a previous child/children. Just get them out, cleaned up, and washed.

Activity Gym/Walker

More items that you probably already have that will just need cleaned up.

Nursery Furniture

Bassinet

Baby will most likely be sleeping right alongside your bed for a couple months. This bassinet was our go to bed side sleeper. I love that it has a stationary setting as well as a rocking setting.

Crib/Crib Mattress/Dresser/Changing Table/Glider

The reusing or purchasing of these items will depend on the age of your other children. If any of them are still currently sleeping in the crib, you will have to purchase an additional crib, crib mattress, and bedding.

Nursery Bedding and Essentials

Sound Machine

This sound machine was our absolute life saver. We used it until Oaklynn was about 15 months and then we switched to just putting a fan in her room.

Get that sound machine back out, if put away. Or if you do not have one, I highly recommend getting one. The Hatch sound machine is our absolute favorite! It has several different sounds and can be used as a nightlight also. Brightness and color of nightlight can be adjusted as well.

The Hatch night light can also be programmed to your phone, so turn volume up/down and brightness up/down all from your phone. And once your child gets older, it also has a time-to-rise setting!

Feeding

High Chair

Roll the high chair back on out.

Bottle Warmer/Sterilizer

Get out those bottle warmers and sterilizers.

Alright y'all. I actually do not have this product yet. Although, I am planning on purchasing for this baby. It is a bottle warmer and sterilizer combo. This warmer is safe, smart, has an accurate timer and temperature control, and it has a two way heating function as well (steam or hot water). And better yet it is compact and the less items that I have to have crowding my counter, the happier I am!

Cleaning and Organization

Get that bottle drying rack back out on the counter. I love this one as it easy to clean, contains a tray that catches the water, holds any size and shape items, and comes with the twig drying accessories as well.

Bowls/Utensils

These may still be hanging out in your cupboards, if not get them out and ran through the dishwasher.

Home Food Prep

If you have previously made baby food, you will already have a baby food maker.

Although, if you haven't and are planning on it this time around, you will want to get a baby food maker. I did not make Oaklynn's baby food, although I am definitely planning on making this baby's food.

I have had my eye on this baby food maker for quite some time. It is a processor, blender, grinder, and steamer all in one. It also allows you to reheat and defrost, as well as sterilizes and self cleans.

Nursing

Nursing Pillow/Privacy Cover

If you are a nursing mom, get out that nursing pillow and privacy cover.

Nursing Bras/Apparel

Y'all I can honestly say I still wear my nursing bras half of the time. So comfy. So no need for me to dig them back out.

Hands Free Pumping Bra

If you pumped at all with your previous child you probably already have one of these, because you know it is a life saver. If you don't have one, I am telling you, you WANT one! Instead of holding the shields up to your breasts, use this hands free pumping bra.

Bath

Bathtub

Don't forget to get out the baby bathtub.

Diapering

Changing Pad/Changing Pad Covers

Find that changing pad and those changing pad covers. You may be able to reuse the covers. Although, if you had several explosion or pee incidents happen on them, you may want to consider new.

Diaper Pail

This is if you use one. I personally do not. Instead I use the Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Bags. They are the perfect size to fit in the diaper bag. When at a friends house and don't want to stink up the trash can, use these. They are very handy for car trips as well!

Wipes Warmer

I personally never used one, as every one that I talked to told me it wasn't worth it to purchase. Although, if you do, pull it back on out.

Diaper Organization

I personally do not have to get this back out, as I still use it for Oaklynn. Although, I may possibly purchase an additional one for new baby. If you don't have a diaper caddy, I recommend getting one. I LOVE ours! You can keep all of the diapering essentials in one place. Such as the wipes, diapers, diaper cream, Munchkin Diaper Bags, extra outfit, as well as an old towel for those all to common explosions.

I also use these caddys to keep all of my breastfeeding essentials, postpartum essentials, and Oaklynn's medicine all in one place.

Read up on New Mom Survival Baskets here.

Health and Safety

Baby Monitor

Get that monitor back out. Or if you are currently using it for your other child, you may consider purchasing an additional one.

If you are not looking to spend a fortune, this is a GREAT option!

Safety Gates/Child Proofing

You may already have this stuff out if your first child is still at that age.

Humidifier

You may not use humidifiers, but we absolutely cannot live without ours! This may already be out as well, or this may be on the list of purchasing an additional one. So you do not have to snatch it from your child's or your room.

We love this one as it works as a diffuser and night light as well.

Clothing

Tops/Bottoms/Socks/Pajamas/Onesies

If baby is same sex, start going through those clothes and getting the newborn and 0-3 month washed up.

If purchasing new don't forget about the tops, bottoms, socks, pajamas, onesies, mittens, hats.

Toys

Start working on sterilizing those toys.

Newly Purchased Items

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Nursery Bedding and Essentials

Crib Sheets/Blankets/Swaddle Blankets

I put crib bedding on the newly purchased list, as some items can tend to get worn down. My daughter has grown very well attached to some of her blankets, so you will obviously need to purchase new blankets for that new babe to get attached to. Who doesn't love freshly new sheets as well?

I am a huge fan of these swaddle wraps as well! SO handy!

Hangers

Before Oaklynn was born, I purchased some hangers. Although, after she was born I ended up purchasing additional ones several different times. So this time around I am going to make sure I have plenty ordered before baby arrives. Because you tend to get new outfits from friends and family, that will need those hangers!

Feeding

Bottles/Bottle Nipples

You can likely reuse your old bottles if they are less than three years old and in good condition. Check the condition of the bottle and thoroughly sterilize.

Although, you will want to buy replacement nipples for your bottles, as the silicone tends to wear and tear over time.

Replacement Breast Part Pumps

If you are planning to use your same breast pump, you will want to buy replacement parts, such as valves, breast shields, and tubes. You will want to replace most parts that have come into contact with breast milk and have possibly deteriorated over time.

If you are planning to reuse these parts, be sure to give them a good wash in hot soapy water or sterilize them.

When looking at breast part pumps, if the plastic is clear and still in good condition they should be fine to use. Although, if the plastic is cloudy and damaged you may want to consider purchasing new.

Burp Cloths/Bibs

I have a few silicone bibs laying around that I will definitely reuse. Although, for cloth bibs and burp cloths, I plan on buying new. I prefer to have fresh new items that are not overly stained. Although, this will depend on the condition of your burp cloths and bibs.

Bottle Cleaning Brush

You may have gotten rid of your previous bottle brush, so don't forget to buy a new one. Or if you ended up keeping it, and it is one with the sponge on the top, it is probably a good idea to replace it. As sponges tend to get full of bacteria.

Nursing

Milk Storage/Nursing Pads/Nipple Cream

If planning on breastfeeding, don't forget to purchase milk storage bags, nursing pads, and nipple cream.

I personally love the Kinde breast milk storage bags. They do not leak, and you are able to pump directly into them and feed from them as well. Later on, you can even use them for baby food pouches. The Kinde starter kit includes storage bags, nipples, and adapters that fit most major breast pump brands (allowing you to pump directly into the bag).

Replacement Pump Parts

This was also just stated above in the feeding section.

Haakaa

This is something I plan on buying new, as the silicone on my previous one is overly cloudy.

Nursing mamas, if you do not know what a Haakaa is or do not have one, you are missing out! I am telling you, this is my literal favorite nursing item ever! I am obsessed!

If you are still unsure about this thing called a Haakaa, you can read up on Why I LOVE the Haakaa!

Bath

Bath Time Essentials

Stock up on those bath time essentials, such as baby wash, wash cloths, etc.

Grooming Kit

If you don't have a grooming kit, or you have lost half of the items like me, consider purchasing a new one. Or if you unfamiliar with a grooming kit, most of them contain finger nail clippers, a baby gum brush, syringe, hair brushes, and much more.

Diapering

Diapers/Wipes

These are probably the first items that come to mind when it comes to a baby. Just make sure that you have plenty!

Changing Pad/Changing Cover

This of course depends on the condition of your previous one. Whether you will reuse or buy new.

Diaper Rash Cream

This is something that I always stay stocked up on as well.

Health and Safety

Pacifiers

If you are planning on using pacifiers, just buy new. As these tend to crack and contain bacteria if kept for extended periods of time.

Medicine

Be sure to have that medicine cabinet stocked. I would rather have a stocked cabinet, than be running to the store at all times of the night/day to get the needed items.

While we're talking medicine, be sure to read up on all of my medicine cabinet must haves, so you don't forget anything!

Clothing

Shirts/Pants/Onesies/Socks/Etc.

This will depend on the sex of the baby and what you already have! Although, it is always nice to have a couple new cute outfits for baby!

Laundry Detergent

Don't forget to get some baby laundry detergent on hand!

Toys

Rattles/Teethers

Of course, new baby, needs some of their own rattles and teethers.

 

There you have it mama! Hopefully this list helps you feel a little more prepared for baby #2, #3, #4, etc.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! 🙂

You can find all of my favorite motherhood/baby/toddler products here!

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