2nd Child Checklist
For those of you mothers out there with more than one child, what do I need to acquire before baby #2 arrives?
I’d like to purchase as little as possible since I feel like so much of Emma’s things are gender neutral and still in great condition.В But I know there are some things I’ll just need…or probably really want.
Here’s my short list of things I’ve thought about but I’d love it if you other mothers would leave me a comment listing the things you found useful to purchase for #2′s arrival.В Thanks!
- More diapers and wipes
- A bed of some sort (Emma’s crib is convertible to a toddler bed, and then eventually a full size bed but I’m thinking it will be more cost efficient to just use her crib for the baby and buy her a twin.В What do you think?)
- Possibly a double stroller (I’m thinking a sit and stand since Emma pretty much hates confinement…any thoughts?)
Told you it was a short list 
Surely I am forgetting some important things!В (And yes, we already have a 2nd car seat.)
I’ll hopefully find out the gender of our baby in a week and a half.В If it’s a girl, I hopefully won’t need any clothes (thought depending on the size of the baby, the season of the clothes may be slightly off).
July 15, 2010
4 Comments
4 Responses
Heather Parsons - July 15, 2010
I hated carrying around stuff for two kids, so we took George shopping and let him pick out his own little backpack and he was then in charge of carrying his cup, a toy and a travel pack of wipes for himself.
and another great idea is to have a basket of stuff for Emma to have while you’re nursing. I had a couple of special nursing time only toys and pre-portioned snacks in mine. And find a baby carrier that is comfortable for YOU (everyone is different). It makes life so much easier to be able to hold and soothe baby while you still have hands free for Emma. And a video monitor- cuz they’re AWESOME!
sarah - July 15, 2010
Excellent suggestions I wouldn’t have thought of. Thanks!!
Jesi McGhee - July 16, 2010
I agree on the crib for the baby and a twin for Emma, but invest in some mattress protection as there will be accidents during potty training. Lauren ruined her mattress bc we didn’t invest enough in protection, but she had to tough it out til we got past the accidents to get her a new bed. The pouch for the baby is an awesome thing as well, but definitely try out a few different styles as the baby gets bigger diferent styles become more comfortable. Lauren was 5 when Lia was born, so it was easier to explain what was going on. Since she was older it wasn’t a jealous thing so much as a curious thing in the way of her interest in Lia nursing. But Lauren was also my special helper and would get me a burp cloth or the remote if I couldn’t reach it during nursing time. That can also be time for Emma to learn how to touch the new baby, and for the new baby to find comfort in his/her big sister. I didn’t have to worry about Lauren needing things when we go somewhere as she is so much older. But I think the back pack idea is totally awesome! Double stroller=good idea…and if she needs to walk next to it, tether her to it so she doesn’t get away. I made lauren hold onto my pocket or shirt if I didn’t have a free hand so that I could feel where she was/is in the grocery store or parking lot. This also works well at buffet style restaurants when you are fixing her plate.
Krysten - July 16, 2010
For sure the sit and stand stroller. I have the tandem graco one and the side by side jeep one. When traveling I use the side by side (it doesn’t weigh so much when checking it at the gate). We travel so much that we have to have this. I would make sure you have a light weight car seat. Mine is a little heavy and carrying Carson while holding Mason’s hand is a little complicated. The bed situation for us is a little different. Mason stays in his bed until we go and get him and I didn’t want that to change with a new baby coming. So we purchased an additional crib so Mason could stay in his a little longer… at least until Carson was sleeping good. You’ll probably want to get a booster seat for Emma when eating at home. Mason has one and then Carson is in the high chair. We purchased an additional baby monitor and we got the Summer video one and love it. It’s kind of pricey at $259 but I don’t know what I did without it now. It helps you and gives you a little more sleep (instead of getting up and checking on him you can see him).
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