Some of it didn’t exist when my first was born three-and-a-half years ago. Some of it I just totally missed. Some of my needs have changed (e.g., chasing a preschooler around while caring for a newborn). Oh, and I think I’m a little smarter now, too?
Here are a few things I’m loving this time around:
A shirt-carrier wrap thingy (made of YOGA PANT MATERIAL).
This is so stretchy and snuggly and explain to me why everything’s not made of yoga pants? I love throwing this on over a nursing tank to leave the house without having to remember and lug around a separate carrier, and baby is snug as a bug (read: thinks he’s still in the womb). I have another wrap and a soft structured carrier, but I’m finding this the easiest and sweetest for the early days.
What I love: Nesting Days carrier
A (fancy) backpack diaper bag + organizer insert.
Because with two kids, I need two (make that ten) hands. Ain’t no time for a tote. Also, I went fancier this time around, because maybe leather and gold will distract from my 14th layer of dry shampoo? But for the sake of organization, versatility and my darling husband, I also got a cheapo insert with lots of awesome pockets so I can keep things in order and move them to another bag (like a hiking backpack) if needed. Yes.
What I love: Fawn Design backpack, insert from Amazon
A sit/stand stroller (that I can snap the car seat into).
With a decent age gap between my munchkins, I went back and forth on the double stroller thing. My big one was kind of over strollers but not over complaining of tired legs and asking to be carried…enter the sit/stand. The infant car set snaps right in (PRAISE HANDS) now and coverts later. Big Kid thinks she’s the bee’s knees hopping on, hopping off, standing up, sitting down and basically pushing the baby. A win for everyone.
What I love: Chicco Bravo For 2 stroller
Giant, stretchy swaddle blankets.
Calm down, Aden & Anais, you’re still great for lots of stuff. And Halo swaddle sleep sacks are still our go-tos for nighttime. But for everything else, where oh where were the big, soft stretchy blankets when I did this a few years ago? They swaddle tighter, are more forgiving of a sloppy wrap and even look friggen adorable when you give up and just tie the bottom in a knot. Don’t ask me how many I’ve ordered by the light of my phone while feeding a baby at 3 a.m.
What I love: Lou Lou & Company blankets
Postpartum support duds (only slightly sexier than they sound).
My last time at the rodeo, I think I set a record for the most consecutive days wearing the same pair of ginormous ratty sweatpants. This time, I went for high ‘n’ tight — compression leggings and tanks specifically designed for postpartum/nursing. They make such a difference in that my-insides-are-misplaced-and-jiggly feeling (and the smoothing effect isn’t bad either).
What I love: leggings from Amazon (honestly love these more than several more expensive pairs I tried), Blanqi postpartum support + nursing tanks
Super low-tech breast pump.
I’ve got my super-charged double-electric Spectra tubed up and ready to rock my return to work, but for my less-intense pumping needs, I’m digging my cheap silicone suction pump. It’s no-tech but totally adjustable and pops right in the fridge and the dishwasher. So much easier than a big electric to reach for and get pumping for a couple ounces.
What I love: Haakaa pump
Did you discover any new stuff to help your second (or first, or more) go more smoothly? Share in the comments!
