Getting Prepared For Baby #2!

When you’re preparing to bring your second baby home, everything is a little different for when you were getting ready for your first. You already know what works and what doesnt in terms of products and baby items you’ll need and use, and so you’re less of a marketers dream than you were the first time around (when chances are, you felt like you needed ALL ‘the stuff’!) You might still already have quite a bit that you can reuse from your first baby, making the preparation side a little easier in that sense. However, because you already have another little one at home, you might not have the same time or energy as you did the first time around. Many second time mums report that they leave preparations until much later than they did with their first! Even though it’s not your first rodeo, it’s still really exciting and getting organised and ready for a new baby is always a lovely time, so here’s how you can go about it if you’re struggling getting started.

Go through the baby items you already have

First things first, check what you already have and that you can reuse from last time. If you have baby items put away in self storage or up in the loft, get them out and go through each item. Things like clothes can easily be washed and reused, if you’re having the same gender then that makes thing even easier but if you’re not, pick out all of the gender neutral bits (or pieces you’d be happy for your next baby to wear). Things like cots can be reassembled, baby swing chairs, toys and more can all be reused. Just be aware of the safety of some items. Things like cot or moses basket mattresses for example should be replaced and bought new, as they can grow mould spores when they’re stored which can contribute to cot death. Car seats can be reused although it’s advised they’re replaced after five years of purchase as the plastic can degrade making them less safe. But by using what you have, you can certainly save a lot of money and it’s more sustainable too.

Make a list of what you need

Once you know what you have, you can then make a list of what you still need. If you write up an extensive list, you can get a few things each week of the pregnancy meaning you spread the cost. And as you’re less likely to give in to the gimmicks this time around, you already know what works and what you do and dont need making things easier

Prep baby’s bedroom

Finally, getting the baby’s bedroom sorted is worth doing even at this early stage. While it’s recommended for babies to sleep in their parents room for at least six months, having a space where you can put their clothes and organise their things is really useful, even if they’re not using the cot in there yet. Since you already have another child you might have to figure out sleeping arrangements and if they’ll be sharing a room, do a rejig. Having a changing table set up with drawers filled with nappies and wipes, a wardrobe with their clothes all hung up and organised and a space on the floor for them to play is always worthwhile, even if they’re not sleeping in the room yet.