This being our second time through the newborn phase, we feel a bit more experienced and ready to make smarter choices. We can repeat what worked well with Clara and tweak the things that didn’t, while also trying a few new ideas. Every child is different, so what helped with our first may not apply to baby #2, but since you’ve asked, here are five things we’ll use again and five new items or changes we’ll try. They pair up nicely, so we’ll present them side‑by‑side.
AGAIN – Angel Care Monitor: One of the newborn items that gave us real peace of mind with Clara was the Angel Care monitor. It’s essentially an audio monitor combined with a motion‑sensitive pad that slips under the crib mattress to detect breathing and sound an alarm if needed. We found it reassuring because it let us sleep without constantly checking whether the baby was breathing. For Clara we eventually added a second pad to reduce false alarms when she started rolling around, and we’ll reuse the same setup for the baby boy. We also replaced the cord cover kit as a safety precaution.
NEW – Video Monitor: With a second child and a household that often spreads across multiple floors, we decided to add a video monitor this time. An audio monitor was fine when there was only one sleeper nearby, but with two children on different levels, video helps answer that “which child is crying?” question instantly. We positioned the camera in the nursery so it peeks out from behind the curtain and keeps both the device and its cord discreet.
AGAIN – Crib Sleeping: We plan to use Clara’s crib again and start crib sleeping from day one. When Clara was born she slept in her nursery right away because our first house had limited space for a bedside bassinet, and that early transition straight into the crib worked well. It eliminated an extra step later on and kept sleep routines consistent, and since she was a great sleeper we don’t want to change a winning formula.
NEW – Sound Machine: We used a sound machine for Clara and will use one again, but since Clara still needs “the ocean” sound every night we bought a new, simple standalone sound machine for the baby. Previously we used an iPod dock looping a white noise track, but rather than buy another music device we chose an inexpensive unit that provides steady, soothing noise. It’s a practical solution for newborn days and keeps sleep cues consistent between rooms.
AGAIN – Ergo Carrier: Babywearing was our go‑to way to carry Clara in the early months. While Sherry had a sling she often associated it with nursing, so I used our ergonomic carrier most of the time. It held up well, we recently cleaned it, and it’s ready for use again with the new baby.
NEW – Double Stroller: Clara rarely uses a stroller now, but for family walks, hikes, and outings with both kids we decided to move up to a double jogging stroller. We chose a model built for longer walks and uneven paths so it will handle hikes as well as neighborhood strolls. For everyday outings we’ll still use the carrier while Clara walks or the single stroller if there’s a long distance to cover.
AGAIN – Cloth Diapers: The cloth diapers we bought for Clara have held up nicely, so we’ll reuse the same ones for now and may add a few more to the stash. As with Clara, we’ll wait until he fits into the one‑size diapers and then use a mix of cloth and disposable diapers. That blend worked well for travel or late nights when disposables were more convenient.
NEW – Honest Diapers: Before the baby grows into cloth diapers we’re trying a different disposable brand this time. We’ve heard good things from friends and like the idea of a subscription bundle that shows up automatically during those hectic newborn weeks. The designs are an added bonus, which makes diaper changes a little more fun.
AGAIN – Car Seat: We’re reusing Clara’s infant car seat. It’s in excellent condition, meets safety standards, hasn’t been in an accident, and is well within its usable timeframe. Handing the infant seat down gives us one less item to buy and keeps the familiar snap‑and‑go routine intact.
NEW – Vehicle Upgrade: We did decide to upgrade our vehicle rather than pass along a hand‑me‑down car. With a family of five and a dog whose crate takes up space, our previous sedan no longer met our needs. We traded it for a larger vehicle with a foldable third row for extra hauling capacity and family trips. The new vehicle gives us conveniences like a backup camera, Bluetooth, and heated seats, which make daily life and long drives easier.
Every family’s situation is unique, but we found that a second child often means you can reuse many basics and focus new purchases on the items that will make life easier with two kids. If you’ve had a second baby, what did you reuse and what did you change? Many parents tell us their baby “to buy” list was much shorter the second time around, and we’re appreciating that comfort as we prepare.
For readers looking for more baby and parenting topics we’ve written about: newborn essentials we liked, simplifying baby gear, cloth diapering, battling kid clutter, saving on baby gear, baby‑led weaning, a long breastfeeding journey, being a stay‑at‑home dad, baby toiletries, and children’s clothing.