A Growing Family Part 2 Supplies for Baby #2
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A Growing Family Part 2: Supplies for Baby #2

Having a second baby is a big step. There is still so much to do to get ready only this time you are doing it all while caring for another child! The benefit of the second time around is that you need far fewer supplies. I’ve gathered up the essentials that you will need to get started. Of course, there are always a few extra things that you may want or need as time goes on. This list will get you started though!

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Crib

Depending on the age of a firstborn, they may still be in a crib themselves. They might even have a convertible crib that they are still using. That means that once a new baby outgrows the bassinet or cradle, they will need a new crib to sleep in. Cribs come in so many different designs to fit all types of rooms. There are the types that have a changing table attached, and there are types that convert all the way to a double sized bed. These convertible cribs are the way to go! You never have to buy another bed for your child as it will grow with them.

or

Toddler Bed

Another choice is to get a toddler bed. The benefit of this route is that a toddler bed can be cheaper. This was the way that I decided to go. We will need to get another bed at some point as these don’t convert like the cribs, but it saved us money in the short term. The other bonus was that our firstborn could pick out his own bed. He was really excited to do this and made the transition out of the crib easier. My son picked out a Thomas the Tank Engine bed as he is really into trains. This bed will last him several years still.

Going Home Outfit

Every kid deserves a few nice, new things. In my opinion, that includes a going home outfit. I won’t deny how cute it can be to have pictures of siblings in the same clothes at the same age. That doesn’t change how I feel about the going home outfit. It’s one thing that can be special and new. This attitude also extends to holiday outfits.

New Clothes

This is a similar idea to the going home outfit. As a second child myself, I know that it is nice to have at least some new things for yourself. As babies, they won’t care about wearing mostly hand-me-downs. However, they may be born in different seasons which will mean that they NEED new clothes. That is the case for my boys. My first was born in February and didn’t need a lot of winter clothes. My second is due at the end of September and will need a lot more. This meant shopping for baby clothes. Not that I’m complaining, shopping for baby clothes is so much fun!

Camera or Receiver for Baby Monitor

There is no need to get a full new system these days or to remove it from a firstborn’s room. Instead, you can get a second camera or receiver to match the one you already have! Personally, I still like to have a monitor in my toddler’s room. He can take a long time to fall asleep and I like that I can check on him without going into his room. That’s why getting a second camera for the baby’s room is perfect. I can switch from one to the other and check on both kids if by some miracle they end up sleeping at the same time!

Mirror for Car

My son is still rear-facing in the car. I want to keep him that way as long as possible since it is proven to be so much safer. Having a mirror so I can see him in his seat is great. Now that I will have two rear-facing car seats, I’ll need a second mirror so that I can see both kids. It’s important that the mirror is soft all around and easy to install.

Diaper Can

We’ve been working on potty training for a while now. I wanted to have my first out of diapers before the baby made his big entrance. Honestly, I don’t see this happening. At least not at nighttime. That means that both kids will be in diapers and so a second diaper waste can will be needed. I like the simplicity of the Diaper Genie Can. It does a great job at containing the smell and holds a decent amount before needing to be emptied.

Double Stroller

My toddler doesn’t like to be strapped in much, so I got one of the sit to stand strollers that will allow for many different configurations depending on what he is in the mood for and how long we will be out. This Graco stroller has 27 different configurations and has the sit to stand options as well. It is also compatible with the SnugRide infant car seat which is what I already had.

Pacifiers

It’s not enough to sanitize old, used ones. I highly recommend replacing pacifiers. They aren’t too expensive. Every baby is different and you may need to try a few different types before finding one that they like. I love the WubbaNub ones that come with a variety of stuffed animals attached to start for a newborn. There is one made with almost any animal you can think of! They are so cute and perfect to comfort a newborn. We had some left that had never been opened that I will use for our new baby as well since my first ended up being more of a thumb sucker. Teethers, on the other hand, can be sanitized.

Fun Sibling Shirts

Who doesn’t love fun sibling shirts? This is the time we, as parents, get to have fun dressing our kids! Especially if both kids are the same sex, the possibilities are endless since you can get matching outfits. Or, you can stick to some big brother/sister, little brother/sister shirts. They make so many different styles from simple to funny!


Gift from Baby to Older Sibling

You don’t want them to feel forgotten in the excitement. Giving them a gift from their new sibling (a gift that is good to have in the hospital and something they will love) is a great way to make them feel included and start the sibling bonding process. My son is really into Toy Story right now which is why I picked out a Woody doll and a Buzz Lightyear toy for him.

Gift from Older Sibling to Baby

Another great way to get an older sibling involved is for them to give a little gift to their new baby brother or sister. This can be a lovey, a small stuffed animal, or a little blanket. Let them pick something and then they can give it to the baby in the hospital or when you come home.

Other Supplies:

There will likely be other supplies that you will find that you either want or need. This list will be sufficient for baby’s arrival.

Are there any other supplies that you have found you needed or wanted?

What was the one thing you felt you couldn’t live without for a second child?

Don’t forget to read the first part of this series – A Growing Family Part 1: Baby #2 To-Do List – and subscribe and follow Califf Creations to see each upcoming part!

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A Growing Family Part 2 Supplies for Baby #2

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Lucy At Home UK gentle parenting blogger