This being our second time through the baby phase, we feel a bit wiser and more prepared. We can keep the things that worked well with Clara and make small improvements where newborn items or routines need tweaking. Every child is different, so some things that worked before may not this time — we’re ready for surprises — but since you’ve been asking, here are five things we’ll use again and five things we’ll do differently. Because they pair up nicely, we’ll present them side-by-side. Note: None of the links in this post are affiliate links.
AGAIN – Angel Care Monitor: This was one of the newborn “lifesavers” we recommended after Clara was born because it gave us peace of mind — no getting out of bed to check that the baby was breathing. It’s not for everyone, but it reduced a lot of new-parent anxiety for us. The unit combines audio monitoring with a motion-sensitive pad that slides under the crib mattress to detect breathing and trigger an alarm if movement stops. We added a second pad later to reduce false alarms once Clara got wiggly (she’d roll off a single pad’s detection area), and it worked well. We’ll be reusing it for our baby boy, and we also obtained the free cord cover kit that addresses a recent recall issue.
NEW – Video Monitor: With Clara we didn’t use video, but since we’ll often be on a different floor during naps — and sometimes both kids will sleep at once, which can make audio monitors hard to interpret — we decided to add video. We chose the Levana Lila and placed it in a spot in the nursery where it peeks out from behind the curtain, keeping the camera and its cord nearly invisible while still providing a clear view (there’s an outlet right beneath it that’s also hidden by the curtain).
AGAIN – Crib Sleeping: We’re planning to use Clara’s crib again and to start crib sleeping from day one. With Clara we didn’t use a bedside bassinet because her nursery was just steps away, and crib sleeping from the start eliminated one transition later on. Our current home has more space, but the baby’s room is only about ten steps away, so we’ll repeat the approach that worked so well before. It spared us an extra move from bassinet to crib and helped establish a solid sleep routine.
NEW – Sound Machine: We used white noise with Clara and will use it again, but we couldn’t borrow hers since she still wants “the ocean” every night. For her nursery we had an old iPod dock on a loop playing a white-noise CD, but instead of splurging on another music player, we opted for a simple standalone sound machine. It’s affordable and does the job, and we can always add a music player later if we want that functionality.
AGAIN – Ergo Carrier: Babywearing was our go-to method of transport in those first months. Sherry used a sling, but since that often signaled nursing, I mainly wore Clara in our Ergo Carrier. It held up well, we recently washed it, and it’s ready for round two.
NEW – Double Stroller: Clara rarely uses a stroller now, so we debated whether we needed a double stroller at all. We do still take long family walks and hikes where she can’t keep up, plus she likes hopping into doubles with her cousins, so we decided to get one. Sherry’s mom generously gifted us a double jogging stroller — the double version of the single InStep Safari we had when Clara was one. We chose a jogging model because it handles uneven paths and long walks better; we don’t expect to run with both kids frequently, but it’s nice to have the option. For everyday outings we’ll likely stick to the Ergo with Clara walking, or use her single stroller when there’s a lot of ground to cover.
AGAIN – Cloth Diapers: The BumGenius cloth diapers we bought for Clara have held up well, so we’ll reuse the dozen we have and may add a few more if needed. Like with Clara, we won’t start cloth immediately — he’ll transition into the one-size diapers after a few months — and we won’t rely on cloth exclusively. Mixing in disposables for long trips away from home or occasional overnights worked well for us before, so we’ll follow the same approach.
NEW – Honest Diapers: Before our baby fits into cloth, we’ll try Honest Company diapers rather than the Seventh Generation ones we used with Clara. We’ve heard good things from friends and like the convenience of a subscription bundle that arrives without thinking — useful during bleary newborn days. And we admit the designs are a fun bonus.
AGAIN – Car Seat: Baby Barnacle will use Clara’s infant car seat. Her Chicco KeyFit 30 is in great shape, meets current safety standards, hasn’t been in an accident, is a neutral color, and its manufacture date means it shouldn’t expire before the baby outgrows it. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m looking forward to the convenience of a snap-and-go setup again.
NEW – Car: He won’t be riding in a hand-me-down car — we upgraded. Our family of five (including Burger, whose crate takes up a full seat) made it clear that our Nissan Altima wouldn’t cut it for road trips or hauling gear. We traded it in for a 2014 Toyota Highlander after research and test drives; the Highlander offers the cargo space, a collapsible third row, and features we wanted like a backup camera, Bluetooth, and heated seats. It was a bit of a splurge, but after years of buying used cars and getting a lot of life from them, the upgrade fit our budget and needs. Clara’s already enjoying the little book caddy I set up for her.
Every family has different needs, so I’d love to hear what you reused or changed when you had a second child. Did your to-buy list shrink like ours did? It’s reassuring to have many of the basics already covered.