If you have a second baby on the way, you may wonder what you can reuse for baby #2 and what you will need to purchase again. While you can reuse most things, it’s essential to be prepared! Plus, your budget will thank you.
It can be hard to imagine your family in the future with a new baby. Things will be different, and the adjustment won’t come easily to everyone. Your motherhood will kick up a notch.
But don’t fret! I’m here to encourage you that the beauty of giving your child a sibling is truly something you will cherish forever. As a mom myself, currently pregnant with baby #4, I can tell you from experience that it is all worth it!
I hope this list of baby items will make your life a bit easier as you prepare for your second baby! You can know what to save, what to declutter, and what to budget for in the future. Congratulations, and remember to soak in every moment!
Let’s check it out…
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Tips Before You Start
The first tip is to create a second baby registry checklist. It will be an easy way to keep everything organized. But, most importantly, it will be an easy place to send people who want to bless you with more gifts, even if you aren’t having another baby shower.
That way, you can receive the items that are a necessity to you and not more junk that will just overwhelm you!
Here is my post all about setting up an Amazon Baby Registry. It definitely makes things easier the second time around having everything online in one central location. It’s free and you will also get a free welcome box!
My second tip is to always check thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay for baby items. You can find so many barely used things for an incredible deal. So, if you don’t receive as many items as gifts this time around, you can still keep things very affordable.
Related Post: How To Create The Best Amazon Baby Registry In The World
What You Can Reuse For Baby #2
There are so many things you can reuse for baby #2. I am sure I am missing something, but here is a list of things you probably have saved from your first baby.
Changing Pad – Just wipe it down and get it clean for your new baby. You can also get new changing pad covers or wash the ones you have.
Crib – This depends on the age of your first child, but if you don’t need a second crib and can move your first child into a pack-n-play with a mattress or toddler bed, definitely reuse your crib and mattress!
Bassinet – You may not need to move your toddler/second child out of their crib right away anyways if baby will be sleeping in a bedside bassinet. Definitely reuse this! If you co-sleep, it’s even easier to reuse your bed.
Crib Sheets – Wash and clean all your crib sheets and reuse those. Only replace them if you feel they are too frayed and unsafe. Our crib sheets are still holding up after three children!
Infant Car Seat – Yes, you will need a second car seat, but you should have your older child out of the infant seat and into a bigger convertible one. You can reuse the infant one, just check the expiration date on it.
Cloth Diapers – If you cloth diapered your first baby, then be sure to get those pulled out again, washed and sorted! The best part of cloth diapering, in my opinion, is that it saves money and you can reuse them for years and years!
Swaddles/Blankets/Diaper Bag – Of course, pull these out of storage and use them again.
Baby Clothes/Hangers – Depending on gender of your children, you have the potential to reuse all or some of your baby clothes. I keep all our baby clothes in vacuum seal bags in our attic organized by age and gender. It makes it easy to pull out exactly what I need.
Baby Carrier – Reuse the carrier that you ended up loving and sell whatever carrier you didn’t end up using as much. Now that this is your second baby, you know what works and what doesn’t for you!
Swing/Bouncer/Toys/High Chair – All these larger baby gear items you can reuse again! But, maybe you want to include some of these toys on your baby registry checklist.
Monitor/Sound Machine – Keep using these unless you need a second one for separate rooms of the house.
Stroller/Wagon – You should reuse these again, but you may want to upgrade to a double stroller or a wagon. Sell the stroller you currently have if you do. We personally love this wagon and it has been all we need for all of our children.
Related Post: Top 7 Must Have Baby Items For Two Under Two
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Related Post: 5 Empowering Slow-Living Motherhood Practices For The Whole Day
What You Can’t Reuse for Baby #2
Second Car Seat – While I listed that you can reuse the infant car seat, you will need a second car seat. You may have to purchase a convertible car seat for your first child and begin to transition them into it if you haven’t yet already.
Second Car Mirror – With another car seat purchase often comes another car seat mirror.
Wipes/Diapers – Get stocked up on wipes and diapers (if you aren’t using cloth diapers) because obviously those run out!
Baby Clothes – Depending on gender and seasonality, you may not be able to reuse some of your baby clothes. Prepare as best you can by getting the new clothes you need.
Bottle Brush – I find that my bottle brushes that I use to clean my kids water bottles get pretty nasty, especially if I haven’t used them for a bit. I like to get a new one and have it on hand for when I need it.
Breast Milk Storage Bags – If you use a disposable version, don’t forget to purchase more of these if you use them!
Pacifiers – I don’t personally use pacifiers with my children so this was not something I knew about. But, you shouldn’t reuse pacifiers with your second child because of germs and potential damage to them. If you want to save them as back up, sterilize them and examine them really well before baby arrives.
Bottles/Nipples – Just like pacifiers, I didn’t know this about bottles because I exclusively breastfeed. But, you should purchase new bottles (or just nipples if you have glass bottles, which I recommend) because of the germs and damage they may have. Thankfully, they are not expensive.
Breast Pump Parts – If your pump parts have been sitting for a long time it is best to replace the parts because of bacteria and possible damage. Look at the tubing, valves and membranes. Hopefully your breast shields are just fine.
Related Post: The 7 Best Baby Led Weaning Books You Need To Read Today
Other Things To Stock Up On
Remedies for Breastfeeding, Teething, Sickness, etc.
Which of these items listed was most helpful to you? Let me know in the comments below, and congrats on baby #2!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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