What do you need/not need for No. 2?
Clearly it wasn't that long ago that we did this, so I feel like we should be able to use most of our baby equipment again. But after reading posts like the double stroller one, I am thinking maybe there are still some big purchases ahead. Is another crib necessary?
(If it helps, there will be a 26 month age gap. We were Team Green with No. 1 and plan to be with No. 2, so on the clothes front I am going to have to wait.)
Thanks so much!
Re: Those with an approx. 2 year age gap bw kids
congrats!
if the car seat is less than 5 yrs old, that's fine; we got a double stroller (a Graco hand-me down, which was great b/c we could put the baby seat in it too). We moved DD to a queen-size bed so we did not buy another crib. I got some new nipples for bottles, new tubing for my pump and additional BM storage bags, stuff like that. Honestly, a 2nd baby is very cheap, it's when that baby goes to DC or gets older, that (s)he gets expensive!
Congrats!
A second baby monitor if the kids are in two different rooms.
Some clothes - I mean yeah, you can use some of the hand-me-down clothes, but some of it is so worn out and stained... you want a few new things for #2. Same with spit up cloths, washcloths, towels, changing pad covers, etc. Take stock.
We did not buy a second crib, the kids are 24 months apart and 21 months apart. So the older kids moved to beds before the next baby came.
New nipples for bottles.
Double stroller is really nice.
Another travel bed - we swear by the Peapods.
Dear slukd,
Like most of the posters, we didn't get much. We added to our cloth diaper stash (our oldest isn't nighttime trained yet). My girl friends chipped in on a phil&ted stroller for me (LOVELOVELOVE). When my oldest was 20 months, we moved several states away. We took that opportunity to transition her into the crib. By the time the baby had been born (and outgrew the cradle), it had been months since she had seen it (and in a different house), so we didn't have to deal with the "HEY THAT'S MY CRIB!" issue.
We were team green with both, too. I actually don't believe I have bought any new clothes for #2. We have been given some, but ....
Two for tea,
kewliegirl
We bought a new bedroom set for DD#1. I also bought DD#1 another crib from Ikea for $80 which I do not regret one bit because she is still in it and still sleeping well. Other than that, we got a double stroller (City Mini) and a video monitor.
As other posters mentioned, all the "consumables" like nipples, pacifiers, etc. got re-purchased (though I didn't buy nearly as much as I did the first time around...I now knew how few I actually needed).
As a PP said, things that get trashed, like bibs and wash cloths and burp cloths, also got replaced.
I didn't buy a double stroller. Instead I got a snap-n-go because DD was really good about walking next to me and holding onto to the handle, and I didn't want to lug around the Cortina I'd used with her for DS. I survived DS's baby- and toddlerhood without a double stroller pretty easily because of DD's temperament, but I bought a sit-n-stand off Craigslist in anticipation of #3 because I know DS won't be as obedient about sticking by my side as DD was. So...while a double would've been nice to have on occasion, it also had enough downsides (fitting through doors, being heavy and taking up a lot of trunk space, etc.) that I didn't invest. All the models I would've wanted were too pricey to justify (though if I'd known then that we would for sure have #3, I might've gone ahead).
I bought a Lillebaby carrier (sort of like an Ergo) and a Moby Wrap. I used each a fair amount - more than I had with DD, but I just can't get into babywearing (though I may be forced to with #3).
I actually bought more for DD in anticipation of DS's arrival than I did for him, I think. I finally got my act together and bought her a real booster seat, upgraded her sippies and utensils, moved her to a full-size bed, bought more toys/books/art supplies so that she could keep herself occupied during those hectic first weeks with a newborn, etc.