Second Time Mom Essentials

I’m a mom of two, I should be a pro at this stuff right? Wrong. I’ve learned so much in the last three months with Elliott, I wanted to share a few Second Time Mom Essentials. 

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I thought 9 months of pregnancy would give me enough time to prepare for Elliott, sadly I was wrong. I think in the midst of week #3, I called my mom crying because nothing was working.

Elliott is proving to be a very different rodeo than Oliver. These are a few of my suggestions for second time moms.

Play

We make tummy time a priority in our home so a fun and colorful play mat is a must. This Skip Hop Play Mat is my favorite and totally dreamy!

This Exersaucer was also a huge hit in our home. Once both boys started getting mobile, this was a nice trick to keep them entertained.

Sleep

The first year of sleep is the hardest. I’ve considered Elliott a little high maintenance, especially for traveling, when it comes to sleep!

Swaddles

Swaddling was essential for both of my boys in the first few months. When they were newborn, we loved to use Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddles. They are 100% worth the price and they’ve lasted forever!

Sound Machine

I firmly believe in using whatever works for you and your baby. I’ve had a dozen of friends use the Marpac Dohm Sound Machine and they’ve been using it for years. But, I’ve had two babies in the summer so using an easy $20 box fan was good enough for us!

DockATot Deluxe

Everyone has their opinions on co-sleeping, we do not co-sleep but this lounger was perfect for snuggles. The DockATot Deluxe+ is the perfect size for newborn to 8 months old. Unfortunately, Elliott was rolling around 4 months so we had to transfer him to an empty crib.

We had a huge sleep regression with Elliott at 3 months old. He was up every 3 hours and I was going crazy. I was willing to pay anything for a good night sleep. The first night with the DockATot was amazing. Elliott slept 8 hours. Make the investment to save your sanity!

Baby Swing

The 4moms RockaRoo was crucial for us. I remember traveling to see family for a few weeks and I was so heartbroken that this wouldn’t fit in our car. The 5 speed settings were perfect, you can choose which speed works for baby. This was amazing for nap times!

Feeding

I used Como Tomo bottles with Oliver, but Elliott did not adjust to those very well. I had issues producing breast milk for both of the boys so it was very difficult to find a bottle/nipple like the ones we were using in the hospital.

The Dr. Browns Bottles were a last resort with Elliott. A year later and I will say that I’m sick of cleaning the parts but it’s worth it for colic-free baby!

When we started introducing solids, it was important for us to find organic and Non-GMO products. Amazon Prime to the rescue, we love ordering these Happy Baby Stage 2 Food Pouches! They are perfect for on the go and Elliott loves the variety of flavors!

Bath Time

Giving your newborn a bath can fill you with anxiety, but adding in a toddler AND a newborn can be a little chaotic. My essential item for double bath duty would be the Angelcare Bath Support. This was perfect for Elliott to rest in while Oliver ran toys down his belly. *Cue the heart eyes!

If you’re looking for a mini tub, the Aquascale Bath Tub is perfect! I loved knowing the temperature of the water, along with measuring babies weight.

Gear for On the Go

I absolutely 100% feel that you need to invest in reliable baby gear. I’m always trying to find good deals, but this essential was one I wouldn’t budge on.

Double Stroller

Baby Jogger is our favorite brand and I love the City Select. I knew I wanted tandem, and this stroller folds great for the car and you can walk through doorways without any hassle.

Diaper Bag

A trendy and reliable diaper bag is a must. I’m a little weird about backpack diaper bags. Backpacks in general give me anxiety. Weird, I know. Until I found the Freshly Picked Convertible Backpack. It is heavenly! The leather is so smooth and you can easily wipe off crusted applesauce or boogers.

Baby Carrier

I can’t tell you how many times my Solly wrap saved me in the first few weeks of having Elliott. I love the fabric and having him so close to snuggle while I cook dinner was essential.

Another favorite once the boys get older (and heavier) is a Tula Carrier. Probably my favorite item for traveling, you can check out my post about traveling to the beach with a baby, but this carrier stands the test of time! I love having my hands free, and it lets Elliott sleep during our grocery store runs!

Find your village Mama.

Lastly, wine & a village.

Mine consists of friends close by that are just a meet-up at Chic-Fil-A away. But my virtual mama village is just as important and we can laugh, cry and go through all the ups and downs of parenting with no judgement.

Being a mom is hard, so instead of comparing your childs’ abilities against each other, why not compare their ability to climbing the highest countertop or award for longest temper tantrum.

Where are my second time moms? Tell me your favorite essentials and must-haves!

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