Preparing for your second baby can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to! While adding another little to your family is exciting, there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Today we’re chatting about what you can do to make the transition easier!
Bringing in a new little person into your family is stressful. Bringing in a second little one into your family can be even more stressful.
When my second was born, we were looking at 2 under 2 and wondering how on earth we’d manage. I’m here to share some of my BEST tips for how to prepare for a second baby!
How to Prepare for a Second Baby
Take stock of what you have
Hopefully you have some essentials saved from your first. Take out the baby equipment (and clothes if you have them!) and take note of what you need. Take it out, clean it up, decide if you need to replace it. If you’re missing pieces, check the manufacturer and see if you can order replacements.
Can’t miss equipment:
I’m not big on “stuff” but if you’re don’t have a carrier for the baby, get one now. Seriously, game changer with 2 kids. You’ll need your hands free!
Meals for kiddo.
Everyone knows that making freezer meals as an expectant mom is smart, but remember, you’ll have to feed an additional little person as well now!
Stock up and make snacks, breakfasts, and lunches you cna take out of the freezer and feed the big kid. This was a HUGE help for us. This way once Alex went back to work I didn’t have to rely on cereal and boxed mac and cheese to feed Ryan.
Some easy, healthy freezer snack ideas:
- Freeze up pancakes! Try these spinach pancakes, healthy apple pancakes, or my fluffy buttermilk pancakes.
- We loved freezing veggie muffins for the boys when Ella was born. Try these easy carrot muffins, sweet potato muffins, spinach muffins, and healthy apple muffins.
- Try out healthy cookies. I love these oatmeal zucchini breakfast cookies or these healthy chocolate cookies.
- A big batch of hidden veggie pasta sauce is perfect for freezing and having on hand.
- Mini homemade Pizza bagels freeze easy and are a kid favorite!
A gift for the big brother.
When Owen came, we bought Ryan a Strider Bike and helmet. I also got him a coloring book to bring and give to him at the hospital. When Ella was born the boys got LEGO Kits to keep them occupied.
It’s nothing big, but a present “from the baby” will help them accept the new baby a little easier.
Hype it up!
This was hard with Ryan since he wasn’t even 2, but much easier when Ella came along and I was worried about Owen. Hype up being a big sibling!
When I was pregnant, I talked non stop about how important being a big brother is, what a big and exciting opportunity. I told them all the things they could help me with.
To this day, if you ask Ryan what his #1 job is, he’ll tell you, “Keep Owen safe.”
Soak in every last moment as a family of 3.
It can feel hard to welcome a little into your home when you’re already a little, cozy family of 3. I knew in my heart of hearts adding siblings was what we SHOULD do as a family.
But knowing that your baby won’t get 100% attention (especially if they are still a baby!) can be hard. I worried non stop about how Ryan (and then owen) would take the transition.
Take the extra cuddles. Go on a few dates. Enjoy one on one time as much as you can! Life will never be just you guys again. (In the absolutely BEST way ever.
Accept the help!!!
This was harder when I was pregnant with Ella and when she came because, pandemic, but friend, take my advice. If people are offering you help, ACCEPT IT.
Let grandma take the big kid out for a fun lunch while you and the baby cuddle. Let someone bring you lunch or do your astonishingly large pile of clothes.
It genuinely takes a freaking village, but you need to let the village move in.
Some closing thoughts on preparing for a second baby.
Here’s the thing – yes, adding a second (or third or millionth) child is a big adjustment, for every one. But it doens’t have to be the giant stressfest some people make it out to be.
While 2 under 2 was hard AF I think on that year so pleasantly and nostalgically. Now my boys are quite literally the best of friends and nothing makes me happier.
My #1 tip for preparing for a second baby is go into it with a good mindset. It will be hard, but not impossible. Remember to enjoy it!
Moms of 2 or more – how did you prepare before your newest addition came? Anyone have some great individual meals for the freezers? Let me know in the comments!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
You’ve got this Mama! I’m sure you are rocking this Mom of 2 thing. Great tips.
Morgan says
Thanks so much, Julie!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Great tips! 🙂 What a great stroller too!
Morgan says
Thanks, Heather! It’s such a cool stroller, as well!!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
This is such a great post with so many great tips! You should do a comparison posts in a few months time to see which tips you stuck to! 😉 xo
Morgan says
Such a great idea, Kristy! Thanks for the idea 😉
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I’m doing a lot of the same things. Your post on preparing your blog from a couple weeks ago helped light a fire under me for that one. We have most everything left from our first and since we are having another girl, there isn’t a ton we need to buy. We want to take our daughter down to Build-a-Bear for her big sister present as she really wants to go make a friend for the bear she already has but some new coloring things for when she visits at the hospital would be a great idea.
I’ve been making “freezer lunches” for my husband as well as full on freezer meals. He typically takes leftovers for his lunch so I want to make sure he is taken care of if a freezer meal for dinner wasn’t big enough for leftovers. I’m also making sure the things I usually make for him like muffins and cookies are in the freezer as well as back-up Oreos, etc. I’ll be adding c-section recovery to the regular “life after a new baby is born” stuff so I’m trying to be as prepared as possible. (visiting from the Waiting On Wednesday link-up)
Morgan says
Oh, I’m so glad that that post helped out out!! The coloring things were definitely a hit with my dude – it was a great way to keep in him the hospital room and entertained/mildly quiet, especially since we ended up having 2 hospital trips. I think making lunches is a great idea! Anything that can relieve stress is vital!
Amberjane says
Great tips and best wishes with baby two -thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday Morgan
Morgan says
Thanks so much, Amberjane!!
Michelle says
So many moms out there expecting baby #2, 3 and 4 will appreciate this post. Pinning to share with others.
Julie says
Awh, you sounds like you are all over this!
My kids all coped ok with the next one popping along. I think really impressing the “big brother” or “big sister” thing is great, makes them feel like they have a role in the new family dynamic.
Also, I’d suggest making sure you let your older child hold the baby whenever he wants to, even if it is a pain to have to stop what you are doing to supervise. My kids loved having their baby brothers on their laps even though it was only for a few seconds (and dozens of times a day!)
Morgan says
Thanks for the tip, Julie! My son’s 22 months and kid of bananas, so I have to say we haven’t really let him HOLD his brother yet. But I do try to let him him, kiss, touch him anytime he wants – anytime I don’t get gets very frustrated, so I definitely think that such a great tip!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
Congratulations!! They are both exceedingly gorgeous. What a lovely little family you have.
Isn’t it crazy how labor can be so different for all of us? I’m sure that it was agonizing to hold on the push, especially for so long. But check you out, you are such a trooper. Those boys are so lucky to have you as their mom.
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
I love that Pram! It looks like it can do so many things for you, when my kids were little we were lucky that the thing had wheels. LOL Not really, but they certainly didn’t do all of these fantastic things. It leaves your hands free to do the important thing, take care of the little ones!
These are really great tips, my kids were born 8 years apart, and I had still been carrying all of the baby stuff around with me from home to home, you never know when it will be needed again. And I’m with you, I was really sentimental and didn’t want to part with any of it for quite some time!
Corina says
I ate this post up! I’m expecting Baby #2 due in September. Great idea about freezing snacks/meals for the toddler… I hadn’t thought about that but it would come very much in handy! Now I’m headed over to your “Prepare Your Blog” post 😉