what did you/do you plan to buy for second baby?

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kc

My husband and I have an 18 month old right now, and are currently entertaining the idea of having a baby #2 in the near future, although we aren't 100% sure when due to our sons special needs that we want to first make sure we have addressed fully. Anyways, we were shopping off my friends registry for her shower, and we were wondering what all we would need if we were to have another child soon. We already know we need the crib, highchair, extra carseat, etc...but was there anything from your first baby that you wished you had but didn't?
We know we want one of those cradle swings that go both ways, as our first one didn't have one, and we'd want a double stroller. We have nearly all the basics, a plain play gym, bouncer, jumperoo...we went fairly minimal though.
We have our own ideas on what we'd change or get, but just for fun looking for ideas from others on what they did, plan to do differently.

I never had a glider, although I thought maybe I wish I would have, did you guys use yours or did it sit empty?
Are side by side strollers or the tandem ones easier? Side by side seem so wide, but front to back look hard to maneuver:) Having the older one walk isn't an option for us, as he he never developed the walking reflux. (dr.s say he WILL walk, but probably not til about 3-5 yrs old... but instead of just knowing how, he will have to be taught, like teaching someone to relearn kind of)

We have a 3 BR house, 2 BR upstairs, 1 Down. Do we go downstairs and have each baby with their own room (s/he'd be in our room the first 4 months probably) or have them share a room when baby slept through the night? I feel weird being on a different level!

Answer
I'm expecting baby 2 at the beginning of July. Baby 1 will be 15 months old. Here is what I am asking for:
- more cloth diapers (not for everyone, but I CD with BumGenius diapers)
- an Ergo baby carrier (I have another one- Kelty Kids-, but really want an Ergo. Think I can do two carriers - one back and one front- if I had one) (http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ )
- a hiking backpack carrier for Baby 1 - probably from MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop)
- a second crib (convertible) and dresser
- extra caddy attachments for my stroller
- some sort of sled that I can pull both babies in next winter

I'm also going to find out the sex with this baby. Baby 1 is a girl, so if baby 2 is a boy I may need a few clothes (though not many).

As for your question about strollers, I have the Phil and Ted's Sport stroller (http://philandteds.com/products/push/sport ) with the extra seat attachment (tandem). LOVE this stroller (it is so easy to maneuver), and I have heard nothing but good things about the second seat. I've attached the second seat to try it out and it seems just as easy as with only one seat attached.

One of my favorite things from Baby 1 was my diaper bag. I had a normal diaper bag at first, but hated it. Then I bought the Skip Hop Backpack diaper bag (http://www.skiphop.com/product/21010.html ) ...I can't imagine using another. It clips to your stroller if you don't want to carry it, which I think will be convenient with 2 babes.

Another thing I had for baby 1 and LOVE is my Pea Pod (http://www.kidco.com/main.taf?p=4,5 ). It's great for when you're outdoors (eg park, beach). I might get a second one for baby 2, or put them both in the same pod.

For sleep, if both babies sleep fairly well through the night I don't see why they can't share a room. That's my plan...if I have to turn my office into a bedroom, so be it, but I really don't want to! : )

As for the glider, I didn't have one, but I've considered getting one. I found that I sat with baby 1 in a comfy chair near the window a lot, but didn't need to rock. Might be nice to have one, especially the ones with the foot rest/ottoman.

Everyone has different needs/likes though. (You can probably tell we spend a lot of time outdoors, so we need things for that.) You probably have the best idea of what you want and need based on your experience with your first child!

Any advice on taking a 7 month old camping?

Flower84

Hi, we're due to go to the french alps region camping this July for 2 weeks. Our baby will be just over 7 months old then and will be the first time we've taken him camping. My partner is really keen to ge one of the really big tents with a few bedrooms and the inside with the carpet and awning etc.. and all the extras like kitchen style camping units and we'd be on a pitch with a hook up. So it would be pretty spacious camping. I think we would maybe be better getting a static caravan or chalet this year and waiting to do the tent thing next summer when he's well over a year and a half. I'm worried it may be hard to keep baby cool in a tent if the weather is quite hot.
Does anyone have any advice or has anyone had experience of taking a young baby camping like this?
Thanks guys!

Answer
7 months is actually a great time to take a little one camping... my son did his first camping trip at 5 months and it was perfect, we set up a pack and play outside under the trees near us and he loved looking at the redwoods moving in the breeze and watching the birds, squirrels and other animals. At that age, it's not like they're climbing out of the crib, so a pack and play is a great sleeping solution too, if your baby isn't a good sleeper you may want to set up the pack and play or whatever sleeping arrangement you plan in advance. While tent camping, we packed along our jog stroller and used the infant cocoon for a bed for our daughter when she was 4 months. http://store.philandteds.com/phil-and-teds-cocoon-sport-explorer-classic-twin-hammerhead.pro
Don't forget sunblock and wide brimmed hats - start putting them on baby early because then they'll be more apt to keep them on. Dressing in layers is always key. Our little ones went everywhere in a baby backpack with a canopy to shade them, similar to http://www.kelty.com/p-281-fc-30.aspx?category=kids and my DH and I would take turns carrying the little one and carrying a backpack with supplies/our stuff on day hikes. Go on a couple hikes around home so the baby is accustomed to the carrier. If you're breastfeeding, food shouldn't be a problem and even if you're not, a kitchen will make it easier to prepare formula.

Actually, next summer will be the trying one... your little one will be toddling everywhere and not have the vocabulary/discipline to know boundaries.

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Clothing items? Some or none at all?

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Lovin My L

Finishing touches on the baby registry. New parents what did you get or not get? I'm not putting a lot of clothes because I know people go crazy over baby clothes (including myself) but should I put socks, mittens, hats, sleep sacks, specific swaddle blankets or leave it to nothing? Your experience and advice?
Thanks!!

Answer
I found that not many people even used the registry and just got what they thought they should!
I got TONS of clothes (and accessories) and baby blankets and didn't put any clothes or blankets on the registry.
I think baby clothes are a big hit to buy.
If I were you though I would just put items on there because you will very likely still get some clothes but also because I find that with baby clothes people generally have different tastes.. I think you will find that you would rather pick em out yourself for the most part :).
Keep an eye out for baby clothes during season changes (like right now!) and you can get stuff SUPER cheap!
Anyways.. the best thing I got from my baby shower was a double stroller and car seats (for my twins).
Clothes were fun to open. Toys are nice to get. Diapers are convenient but you'd want people to buy larger sizes since babies grow fast (depending on how big baby is when they are born.. my daughter went through one box of newborn and one box of size 2 and has been in size 3 for awhile).

This is stuff I recommend having:
A few pacifiers, a bath for the sink, some baby body wash and shampoo, a baby book (the kind you write all about your baby in and record milestones/thoughts etc), a stroller, a car seat, a crib, a crib mattress, a crib sheet (I personally don't think bumpers are all that necessary), a baby carrier (the "backpack" type where you set the baby in it so you can carry the baby around with you), maybe a swing (the kind you push a button and it sways back and forth).. you only use it for about three months but it is very helpful!, maybe a bouncer (little chair type thing with a toy bar where when they move it bounces, some Tylenol to have on hand, a baby thermometer, a baby nail clipper, I really recommend a bumbo (after awhile laying down gets boring so it's nice to sit some too), an exersaucer, maybe a crib mobile, maybe a little floor gym where a toy bar goes over their head so they look up at the toys while they are laying on the floor, a bouncer where you "stand up" in it and jump.

Bumbo and exersaucer and the standing up jumper are things they use more around 3-4 months and the swing, floor gym, chair bouncer are things they use for about the first three months.

If you are breastfeeding a pump is great to have along with storage bags and nursing pads - you can get reusable, washable ones if you want which I didn't really know about til recently! I really strongly recommend this too: http://www.uddercovers.com/ (you can get them cheaper on ebay).

If you are bottle feeding you will need bottles and formula and if you need filtered water then make sure to have that figured out too. The tricky thing with bottles is that not all styles fit all babies so if you buy one kind your baby not be able to use it very well. So keep that in mind! My twins used the first type of bottle I offered them but my daughter has been pretty picky but she is mostly breastfed so it's not a big deal.

Well those are my suggestions for things for your registry!

Remember that whatever you don't get you can check for on craigslist, ebay, and garage sales (or ask friends/family who have had kids if you can borrow some of the stuff you don't use long or buy it or whatever). You can get baby stuff pretty cheap esp at garage sales and craigslist!

What would you do differently?

rainbow

I'm going to be a first time mom and I'm doing a search about all the things that are really necessary in my baby's nursery room. If you have to do it again in what you would spend money or not at all? Besides my questions I appreciate other comments/suggestions that you can add. Thank you.
Newborn:
1. travel system stroller vs Snugrider Snap n Go or else?
2. Crib and Nice bed vs Convertible Crib?
3. Bassinet, Infant Rest or Moses Basket. How many of you put the baby to sleep with you?
4. Baby slings, carriers or else
5. Someone mention that they put a small radio, monitor and a tv. Do you think is something necessary?
6. Diaper Genie or similar vs just a regular trash can?

Answer
I would never buy a quilt set for the crib. They just don't use quilts when they're little.

I would get LARGE receiving blankets. They're great for swaddling. If you learn how to swaddle correctly (see the Happiest Baby on the block, or the associated video) you won't need a swaddling gimmick which just costs money. By about 2 months old, we stopped swaddling our little guy's feet and by about 4 months, he was out of the swaddle all together (Over time I weaned him from it).

We got just a regular crib. I figured if we have another baby, that baby will need the crib and we'll get a bed for our first born.

I didn't get a travel system. We bought a good stroller with big inflatable tires because it can go ANYWHERE (It's a BOB Revolution stroller). I was told to NOT keep your baby in the carseat when not in the car because it can affect their spine (which can ultimately affect their digestion and movement) so a travel system is pointless. We got a convertible carseat by Britax. He can stay rear facing in this seat from birth to whatever age. We're keeping him RFing until at least 2 yo.

I got a used bassinet from a garage sale for $10. It had a vibration mode which was great. It was a great purchase since I lived out on the couch for the first 3 months (that way I could watch tv while I breastfed in the middle of the night - each session was about 45 minutes long). I did bring my baby to sleep with me during the days, when my husband was at work but not when he was home since he's a very deep sleeper.

I LOVE my baby slings and wraps and backpack carrier. I made a moby-like wrap, I bought a maya wrap and I bought a Phil and Teds Metro backpack carrier used. The moby was fantastic for very early on. The maya wrap was great to use when going shopping. You can also seat them in it facing forward, which is nice once they get older. I started using the backpack when my son was 3 months and still use it now (15months). We can interact much more than if he were in a forward facing stroller, which makes both of us happier. Also, now that he's walking - he doesn't want to be in the stroller as much but he'll gladly stay in the carrier so I can get more done.

I would have been more paranoid has I had a video monitor. A friend of mine lost her son (same age as my son) from SIDS at 4.5 months. I got really crazy with checking on my son after that - it would have been way worse if I had a monitor where I could have watched him ALL the time. I do have a cd player in his room and I ALWAYS play music for him before he goes to sleep. He asks for the music now and has just started picking what cd he wants to listen to before bed. Music + crib + sleep sack = sleep time... which brings me to:

Sleep sacks. I have been putting him in them since I stopped swaddling him and so once he sees the sleep sack, he knows he gets story time, milk time and then it's down for bed. I love the sacks because then you don't have to have a blanket in the crib at all, which for us is great because my son throws it of himself right away but then would get cold (especially in the winter).

I don't have a diaper genie - just a garbage with a lid. I also mostly cloth diaper although we use disposables at night. It's a little stinky but I didn't see the point in getting one.The lid blocks the stink enough.

I suggest getting a lot of picture board books - with just one picture per page. My son loves those books and we started looking at them really early on. He started to recognize pictures of dogs and cats and babies at a very early stage and would smile. Now that he's 15 months, he 'reads' to himself a lot. He still looks at the very simple board books as well as more detailed one too (he still doesn't get to have paper paged books when 'reading' to himself yet because they would be all torn up lol). A good collection of board books and/or a library card I say, is a must.

Are you going to breastfeed? I highly recommend Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding, Revised Edition book. Also, find out where lactation consultants are located just in case you need to use one. I highly suggest at least getting a handheld pump so you can have a little time to go out and someone else can parent/babysit. I also suggest getting bamboo breastpads.... if you aren't planning on breastfeeding, just ignore ;)

I would not spend money on a wipes warmer, a bottle warmer (especially if you're breastfeeding), a fancy bassinet, an expensive pack 'n play, a fancy swing, a vibrating bouncy chair. Both the swing and the bouncy chairs are hit and miss for babies - my son didn't like either.

I would be a highchair that changed heights, a travel chair (if you visit a lot), and a baby bouncer - it'll give you some place to put junior when they're more mobile and you have to pee. I hate our exersaucer though - they're loud (thank goodness it was given to us! I would have been so upset had I spent a fortune on it lol).

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