This being our second ride through the baby years, we feel a bit wiser and more selective about what to reuse and what to upgrade. Every child is different, so some things that worked with our first may not apply to baby number two. Still, we can lean on experience: keep what made life easier with Clara and swap in a few new solutions where it makes sense. Below we list five items we plan to use again and five we’re doing differently this time. Note: None of the links in this post are affiliate links.
Again — Angel Care Monitor
The Angel Care monitor was one of our top newborn comforts with Clara. It’s primarily a sound monitor paired with a motion-sensitive pad that slides under the crib mattress to detect breathing and alert you if movement stops. It won’t be for everyone, but it greatly reduced our new-parent anxiety because we didn’t have to get out of bed just to watch the baby breathe. We added a second pad for more reliable coverage once Clara became wigglier, and we’ll reuse that setup for our son. We also got the cord cover kit that addresses a recent recall, so the monitor is ready and safer to use.
New — Video Monitor
We didn’t use a video monitor with Clara, but now that naps will often happen on a different floor and we could have two children sleeping at once (which can make audio-only monitors confusing), we added video to the mix. We chose a camera that fits discreetly in the nursery — tucked behind a curtain with an outlet nearby — so it’s useful without being obtrusive. For parents juggling multiple sleepers, a video monitor can quickly answer the “which child is crying?” question and provide extra peace of mind.
Again — Crib Sleeping from the Start
We’ll reuse Clara’s crib and our approach of starting crib sleeping right away. In our first home we didn’t have room for a bedside bassinet and Clara slept in her nursery from the beginning. That early crib routine avoided a later transition from bassinet to crib, and it worked well for our family — Clara was a consistently good sleeper, so we don’t want to change much about that setup for baby number two. This time the nursery is just across the wall, so crib sleeping is still practical and familiar.
New — Standalone Sound Machine
We used a constant ocean noise for Clara for a long time, but we couldn’t borrow her sound machine since she still prefers “the ocean” each night. Instead of buying another music player or docking an old device, we opted for a simple, inexpensive standalone sound machine. It reproduces white noise consistently and is an easy, low-cost way to help newborns settle and sleep. If we decide later we want music streaming or playlists, we can add a player then, but for now the sound machine does the job.
Again — Ergobaby Carrier
Babywearing was our go-to way to keep Clara close during the early months. Sherry used a sling, but I wore her most often in our Ergobaby carrier, which was comfortable and durable. We recently washed it and it’s ready for another round. For hands-free carrying on errands, hikes, and around the house, a trusted carrier is a second-child essential.
New — Double Jogging Stroller
Clara usually walks or rides in a shopping cart for everyday outings, so we debated getting a double stroller. We decided on a double jogging stroller that handles long family walks and rougher paths. It’s sturdier than a lightweight tandem stroller and accommodates more active outings. We don’t expect to jog with both kids frequently, but it’s useful to have the capacity. For short trips we’ll keep relying on the carrier with Clara walking beside us most of the time.
Again — Cloth Diapers
Our BumGenius cloth diapers held up very well for Clara, so we’ll use the dozen we already own and might add a few more if needed. We didn’t switch to cloth immediately — it took a few months for Clara to fit into the one-size system — and we never used cloth exclusively; disposables were helpful for long outings or some overnights. That mixed approach worked for us before, so we plan to repeat it.
New — Disposable Diaper Subscription
Before the baby grows into the cloth diapers, we’ll try a disposable brand via a subscription service for convenience during those bleary newborn weeks. A scheduled delivery reduces one more thing to remember and keeps the diaper supply consistent when life is busiest. We chose a brand with a variety of cute prints, which is a small perk but fun.
Again — Infant Car Seat
We’ll reuse Clara’s infant car seat. It’s a Chicco KeyFit 30 in good condition, meets current safety standards, hasn’t been in an accident, and hasn’t expired yet. Using a trusted, well-maintained seat again feels practical and economical, and I’m secretly looking forward to the convenience of the snap-and-go routine once more.
New — Larger Family Vehicle
We did upgrade our car. Our Nissan Altima served us well, but with a family of five and a dog crate that occupies a whole seat, road trips and hauling baby gear became a real challenge. We traded in for a 2014 Toyota Highlander with a collapsible third row. It gives us more space for people and gear, plus useful features we didn’t have before like a backup camera, Bluetooth, and heated seats. The extra room makes family outings and DIY projects much easier.
Every family’s needs are different, so I’m curious what other parents reused versus upgraded for baby number two. Did your to-buy list shrink the second time around? For us, having many basics covered already has been a huge relief and lets us focus on the new parts of parenting a growing family.
Related topics we cover elsewhere: newborn essentials we liked, keeping baby gear simple, cloth diapering, battling kid clutter, saving money on baby gear, baby-led weaning, extended breastfeeding, being a stay-at-home parent, baby toiletries, and kids’ clothing.