8 Tips for Bringing Home Your Second Baby

As a parent, preparing for a second birth is just as rewarding as the first. But it’ll differ this time around – no two babies are the same! Even if you already have most of the baby gear you need, there may be a few things you hadn’t thought of before. At Pottery Barn Kids, we’ll help get you organized with some practical tips to make the transition of bringing baby home stress-free.

Make Room for Baby

Everyone has a different take on where the new family addition will snooze the first few months. This, of course, depends entirely on family needs, convenience and comfort. Prepare your child’s sleeping quarters with baby furniture that fits the space. If your new child’s sibling isn’t quite ready to transition to a toddler bed and requires more time in a crib, you might choose to use a bassinet for several months. Then, when your toddler moves up, you can use their crib for the baby.

Revamp Accommodations

Give the new kid on the block’s room a makeover for fun. Go for decorated peel-and-stick wallpaper that ties everything together. Maybe you might need more shelving to show off those new baby photographs. Take a different approach to art and tack an attractive selection on the walls, along with playful wall decals. Unleash your inner creative for the new arrival – it might be just what you or your spouse needs if one of you gets in a nesting mood.

Nix Old Nursery Necessities

The stage the newborn’s sibling is at will determine if any extra furnishings and accessories are necessary in the nursery. Take stock of your current inventory. Assess whether the changing table, pad covers or table runners could use a fresh update. Don’t forget about storage solutions. Having supplies organized and readily at your disposal during diaper duty is efficiency in motion. Consider switching out an old hamper if you need to, with one that adds a fun touch to your child’s space. If you currently have a system that works well for your needs, you may just need to extend it so it has enough room for two kids’ things.

See What Works

Chances are, using your first baby’s supplies is a cost-effective benefit for your family. Hopefully, many of your supplies will only need some dusting off or recharging. But what if some of them aren’t working anymore? Go through every device and make note of what needs replacing or what just needs new batteries. This can include anything from crib mobiles and baby monitors to a cuddly plush animal that makes sounds.

Repurpose or Refresh Feeding Essentials

While it’s likely you’ll make extended use of your firstborn’s equipment (like a highchair or nursing support pillows), you’ll likely need to re-stock up on others. Check out the condition of all of your nursing essentials. You might not have any usable bottles now – they’re prone to showing signs of wear and tear over time. Fresh burp cloths are handy to have on hand, too. Because you’ll be in for a new round of teething, a few teethers are good to have on hand to help keep your baby comfortable.

Double Up When on the Go

When shopping in preparation for bringing home second baby, it’s a good time to think about strollers or carriers. You may need to add one or more of these to your selection of baby gear. Depending on your lifestyle, you could get by with just the use of a lightweight net stroller when making small trips with just one child in tow. However, if your tots are close in age and you relied solely on a stroller for transport around town before, adding a baby carrier will make your travels a lot easier. It’s also time to start thinking about a two-seater stroller.

Register for Must-Haves

What are some of the things you think you’ll need, on top of any existing baby items? If you’re planning to have a baby or diaper shower, give family and friends a heads up on your wish list. You’ll be surprised at how an extra diaper bag, toys or blankets make a difference. This is especially true if your baby’s gender is opposite that of your first and you prefer using traditional pink or blue colors.

Prep the Sibling

Feel free to this step if your infant’s little brother or sister is too young to have questions about this transition time. If not, it’s okay to take a moment to prepare your older one in advance. If they have questions about the new baby, show them some of their baby pictures to explain that a new little person like this will be in the house soon. Let them help you pack your hospital bag or have a say in what the baby’s name might be. When the baby arrives, let the older sibling help with some tasks if they’re interested. Pushing the stroller, making funny faces during a diaper change and talking to the baby are all easy and fun for your older child.

The excitement of having a baby is happening all over again! With these helpful tips, you’ll be ready for the new arrival in no time.