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What do I actually need for baby #2?

KikiCohenKikiCohen member
in Two Under 2
Hi, ladies!  DS will be 2 (give or take a week or so) when baby #2 gets here.  We're trying to figure out what are the "must haves" for baby #2.  

My thoughts:
A family member gave us a toddler bed, and when are planning on having DS sleep in it (or his crib if he's not ready) and have the baby sleep in the PNP for at least the first few months.  Would a bassinet be worth it?  We didn't have one for DS and I feel like the PNP serves the same purpose.

I honestly don't think we'd get a ton of use out of a double stroller.  I'm leaning more towards a decent baby carrier.  DS hated the Bjorn so I consigned it.  I'm thinking about the Ergo.  Is a double stroller essential?  We live in a rural area, so we don't really "walk" to most places.  

I definitely want to splurge on the dual video monitor.  

Do I need to buy new nipples or bottles or can I just reuse them?  We are planning to FF.  The bottles and nipples I used with DS are actually in excellent shape, but I wasn't sure what the "rule" was on reusing.


Any insight is appreciated :)
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Re: What do I actually need for baby #2?

  • ashiscuteashiscute member
    My LOs are 19.5 mos apart so here it was was essential to me.  I used a double stroller for walks around the neighborhood but found our particular double stroller too cumbersome when out and about.  When DS was born I wore him in the moby every day and most places (zoo, grocery store, etc).  When he was 5 months or so we switched to the beco gemini.  I actually sold my double stroller and have a sit and stand that I use now.  I find it very helpful for when out and about for times when I need DD and DS contained at the same time.  (They are 3.5 and 2 now).  

    I didn't use a bassinet with DS since he wouldn't lay flat for sleep.  He slept in his swing until he was ready for his crib.  We bought a second crib but my DD was a bit younger than your DS.  

    I EBF so I'm not really sure about bottles but the few we had we just sterilized and re-used.  We hardly used bottles though.  

    I found it helpful to have one changing station upstairs and one downstairs fully stocked at all times and another in the car.  
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  • MommyAttyMommyAtty member
    You can totally reuse bottles and nipples. Just make sure they aren't discolored or damaged. Just boil them for 5 minutes to sterilize them. And I love my Ergo. I thought I loved my Ergo with 1 kid, but that was just the early days of our relationship. Now I understand the true love one can have for a baby carrier. (But it's not great for a newborn. I used a mei tai for that stage.). I got a double stroller and regret it. DD at 21 mos when the new baby was born just wasn't into strolling. I end up wearing the baby, pushing an empty stroller while DH holds her hand or carries her.
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  • vettymamavettymama member
    My boys are 17 months apart. We bought new burp clothes, receiving blankets, crib sheets, second crib, second changing table, and a couple new outfits (we were team green so they can be used again). Also a ring sling and mei tai. I had an ergo but wanted to add to my ssc collection. We ebf so I wasn't going to bother with sanitizing bottles or nipples before I had to. We just use the bottles and nipples feom the pump.

    I do have a double stroller now because I go shopping and hiking a lot with the boys.
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  • KikiCohenKikiCohen member
    @MommyAtty When did you switch from the Mei Tai to the Ergo?  We'll be going on vacation when baby #2 is about 2.5 months so I will definitely need a carrier for then.


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  • MommyAttyMommyAtty member
    @KikiCohen‌ at around 3 mos with our little chunker of a son and about 5 mos for our skinnier daughter. Really, around the point where they had good head control is when the Ergo worked best for us. I just could never figure out how to ensure their airway stayed in the right position in the Ergo until they could hold their heads up. I could strap them tighter in the mei tai. (And btw, I made our mei tai by the no sew pattern Hobo Mama has on her website. You can google it. You just cut it out of fleece. A $12 carrier that we loved? Sign me up for that!)
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  • KikiCohenKikiCohen member
    @MommyAtty Thanks for the response!  I think I'll focus on a Mei Tai type carrier then for vacation.  DS' neck muscles were underdeveloped (he was a preemie) so it was definitely a long time before he could control his head.  I'm not very crafty, so I think I'll look at purchasing the Infantino brand carrier at Target.  Thanks again!
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  • MommyAttyMommyAtty member
    KikiCohen said:
    @MommyAtty Thanks for the response!  I think I'll focus on a Mei Tai type carrier then for vacation.  DS' neck muscles were underdeveloped (he was a preemie) so it was definitely a long time before he could control his head.  I'm not very crafty, so I think I'll look at purchasing the Infantino brand carrier at Target.  Thanks again!

    Seriously, I'm not crafty either. But drawing a template onto fleece and then cutting it out? That I can actually do! I didn't use a commercial one, but they are probably just as good and may last you longer than the homemade one. We stopped using ours because after the kiddos got heavy, I had a hard time getting the carrier tied tightly enough. You may have better luck with the infantino.
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  • vettymamavettymama member
    @KikiCohen‌ I have the infantino and love it. I've used it with my 2 year old DS and DS2 since he was 4 months.
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  • KikiCohenKikiCohen member
    Thanks @vettymama!  I think I registered for it with DS, but then never actually purchased it.  Definitely looks worthwhile.
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  • tamarar5tamarar5 member
    I just picked up a double stroller and that is by far my favorite. I **love** it. I flat out don't give my 20 month a choice about getting in, and it has made going out so ten thousand times easier.

    We also will have two cribs, we just haven't gotten it yet.

    Besides the stroller, my Tula carrier was assn absolute must. I can carry both kids (one at a time, of course) because it's big enough and adjustable. And with a toddler trying to be "helpful," the baby isn't really safe in the swing, bounce seat, out really anywhere because he's trying to play.
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  • WanderingAWanderingA member
    Hey Stranger, glad to see you here and know you will be in the 2U2 club with me!

    I am a crazy baby wearing lady and we love our Ergo and woven wraps.  With the Ergo you either need to use an insert or a rolled up towel under their bum for the first few months so that they are properly positioned.  I've never used a mei tai but a lot of people really love them and they're usually inexpensive and highly adjustable. 
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  • KikiCohenKikiCohen member
    :-h @WanderingA! 
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  • michelle7482michelle7482 member
    Mine are 18 mo apart. I use my double stroller all the time for walks around the neighborhood, malls, zoos ect. I replaced all nipples and pacifiers but reused bottles. I basically reused everything else: swing, bouncer, high chair, rock n play and pack n play. Good luck!

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