My "Must-Have" Bits and Bobs for Baby Number 2

Those who read my blog posts regularly might know that I’m pregnant, not that I bang on about it – much!  So it might surprise you that most of the time I forget.  That is unless I’m writing my posts, going to yoga or being reminded by another bout of morning sickness (who knew it could make an unpleasant comeback!).

It turns out that going through pregnancy with a toddler in tow is a completely different experience.  Rather than sitting at work “fannying around with some press releases”, rubbing my bump and daydreaming of cute chubby cheeks, I am now spending my days trying to tear my testing toddler away from her millionth episode of Peppa Pig, feed her anything that isn’t brioche and stopping her from sticking her tiny fingers in the plug sockets.  You can therefore see why I have been feeling a little unprepared for the arrival of baby number two.

Months before Coco’s arrival I made list upon list of all the essentials and non-essentials I may need, anything from a cooconababy to a slumber buddy (neither of which helped her sleep btw).  This time I’ve been thinking a few muslins and a new mattress for Coco’s moses basket should do.  That is until now.  Whilst any reputable baby site will include the “must-have” list for first time mums and dads, what are the extra bits parents might need second time round?

My list is by no means conclusive and this is based on my own thoughts on what I’m imagining I might need/find helpful, but for what it’s worth here is my list of the top five “must-have” bits and bobs to prepare for bubba number two….

THE DREADED DOUBLE BUGGY

Just the thought of a double buggy makes me come out in a cold sweat.  The fact that I still regularly bang my bugaboo into lamp posts, curbs, chairs etc means I don’t hold out much hope of being to manuovere some double sized monster.  But as Coco will be just over two when her little brother or sister arrives, for me a double buggy will be an essential.  There are obviously tonnes of brand names and designs out there to choose from, but my current favourite is the Baby Jogger City Mini Double.  As well as all the usual high-tech features that can be expected from prams these days, this buggy boasts that it will fit through most standard doorways. Amazing!

Prices vary.  John Lewis, £449.99 

For those who have older children, a buggy board may also be a good bet.

LET’S NOT FORGET NUMBER ONE

Whilst my expanding belly certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by Coco, the fact there is actually a baby growing in there is a lot to get her little mind around – mine too for that matter!  So to help her prepare in any way for the new baby’s arrival, my mum has kindly bought these books for her.

There's A House Inside My Mummy, Amazon, £4.49

Waiting For Baby, Amazon, £3.39

A GOOD OLD SPRING CLEAN

Now I’m sure most of you have stored your baby bits in a far better state than me.  But if like me, the buggy is a health hazard, and the car seat and the bouncy chair haven’t seen the light of day for a few months, chances are they’re probably going to need more than a sponge and some soapy water.  Step forward Peachy Clean Buggy.  Specialists in deep cleaning, they take apart your baby items, service them and give them the hardcore clean they really need to banish all those nasty hidden germs.  They can even provide a loan buggy whilst yours is being serviced.  All you need to do is courier your items to their Cheshire store, but don’t leave it too late.  They recommend sending your items off approximately six weeks before your due date.

For a price list and further info please visit the Peachy Clean Buggy site…www.peachycleanbuggy.co.uk

A SLING TO PUT YOUR BABY IN

I’m sure a lot of you probably used a sling or a carrier for your first baby. We had a BabyBjorn carrier, which we used when Coco was a little older, but I never clocked onto how handy a wrap around sling could be with a newborn.  This light bulb moment didn’t take place until very recently when I witnessed a new second time mum carry her teeny tiny baby in a sling whilst helping her toddler tackle the climbing equipment at Tumble Tots.  I starred at this mum in awe and amazement as it dawned on me how vital a piece of kit a sling could be in helping us keep to our lives as “normal” as possible in those early days.  Again, there are a whole bundle of brands and styles of slings and carriers to choose from, but from my limited research, the most well known brands appear to be Caboo, BabyBjorn and Ergobaby.  Other brands talked about online include Wilkinet, Hugabub and the Kari-Me.

To be honest I’m hesitant to recommend a sling or carrier without trying one myself, but it’s something I’d be happy to do once number two makes an appearance and I can test a few out.

OUT WITH THE OLD… IN WITH A NEW CHANGING BAG

Now a new bag might be more for mummy than baby one or two, but after all my hard work I figure a nice new nappy bag is not too much to ask.  Especially as my current changing bag is similar to the magic curtain bag in Mary Poppins, only instead of holding house plants and floor lamps, it is filled with a bottomless supply of industrial waste. Again, I haven’t had much time to peruse stores for my new purchase (see a new theme here) but I did spot one a couple I liked recently.

BabyBeau Ellie Leather Changing Bag in Brown, £199

Storksak Caroline Leather Changing Bag in Grey, £259

For all you second time mums who have been there, done that and worn the t-shirt, please do get in touch and tell me what I’ve missed.  It’d be much appreciated!

To any brands who would like me to review their products for Style Me Sunday once baby two arrives in October, please don’t hesitate to contact me on gemma@stylemesunday.com

To all my fellow second-time Mums-to-be, I hope this helps! 

Gemma x