Hi guys!
I feel like I have already been in nesting mode. With this pregnancy already halfway gone (time flies when you already have a toddler) I have been pulling out all the newborn and infant things that we stored away. I am really excited to reuse nearly everything, including clothes because we are having another girl (weee!) Kids are not cheap, but they don’t have to be as expensive as companies make them out to be. You don’t need everything!
If you are a first time mom, you may want to check out my list of baby items that you do not need, contrary to what advertising and marketers may lead you to believe. I wish I had known all of that before Willow, honestly!
But anyways, I thought it might be helpful to compile what I am reusing if you are an expecting mama (second, third, or even fourth time.) I’ll also share a small list of things I plan on buying new for safety or hygiene reasons. I hope it is helpful.
Items to Re-Use
Clothes – if you are as lucky as us and are having the same gender or already used gender neutral clothes before. I keep telling everyone: DO NOT BUY CLOTHES! We have soooo much.
Bibs – as long as they aren’t crusty or horribly stained, bibs should be reused.
Bottles – the actual bottle, not the nipples.
Swaddle blankets – two are Willow’s “bankies” so she’ll keep those, but we have a few others that can be used for baby girl.
Carriers – Both my ring sling and Ergobaby are in great condition.
Linens and such – burp cloths, sheets, blankets, bath towels, mattress protectors, etc. As long as they are still in good condition!
Bassinet, crib, + mattress – we transitioned Willow to a big girl bed to reuse the crib.
Books and toys – we kept a small selection of books and toys that Willow loved as a baby.
Infant car seat – ours is still safe to use – check expiration date.
Breast pump – you may have to buy some new parts to replace old, but the actual pump itself is good to go.
High chair – we grabbed a booster seat for Willow.
Pack and play – it still works and is clean.
Swing/bouncers/walkers/etc. – these products are used in a such a small window of time that it only makes sense to reuse what you have. No need to upgrade unless what you have is damaged or a safety risk.
Items to Buy New
Pacifiers – I grabbed baby girl her own Wubbanub (Willow loved hers). You may want to grab a few new ones to have on hand. But here’s a tip: If you register on Target, Amazon, Wal-Mart, etc. the Welcome bags/boxes that they give you usually include a pacifier or two. We scored 5 for free!
Bottle nipples – they are worn and should definitely be replaced for a new baby.
Diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream – all the diapering essentials.
Baby monitor – this will depend on the age of your first kid, but we will still be using a monitor for Willow’s room, so we’ll be grabbing a second camera for what we already use as a monitor. Keeping it simple.
Double stroller – not a necessity, but we take enough walks and use ours a ton that I think this will be beneficial for our family.
There are a few items that I am splurging on that I simply would like to have for our second daughter, like a SnuggleMe and a white noise machine (Willow still uses hers). Again, not necessities but for our family, it works.
I hope that this list is helpful to some of you. For me, it definitely helps to see things like this so I don’t forget. xx bianca
Totally agree – reuse as much as possible! One suggestion is to get a new pump for baby two if your insurance will cover it. I thought mine was in perfect shape, but they do slowly (and almost unnoticeably) lose suction over time. I’d been using my old one, but when I switched to the new one (same pump, just new) I started getting double the amount of milk! Just a thought, and good luck with the rest of the pregnancy!
That is actually a great idea. I didn’t realize you could apply for another one? I thought it was a one-time deal. I am going to give them a call and find out! Thank you!! xo