Congrats! You’re expecting Baby #2! Whether your kids have a large or small age gap, there are likely some things in your home that you’ve given away or sold from Baby #1, or you’re looking around your house wondering what you should get rid of to make space for a whole new human entering your home.
There are 5 years between my kids, and I didn’t keep everything from my first- we had a big move from Manitoba to Alberta when my first was 1 year old and logistically we couldn’t bring and store everything when we weren’t anywhere near ready for a second baby. I would love to share with you the things I did keep that I was extra grateful for while preparing to welcome Baby #2.
For us, we had moved several provinces away from our major support system and honestly became largely forgotten by a lot of people who gifted us essentials for Baby #1, so we did not count on or expect much to be bought off a baby registry, and this is absolutely the way it goes for many parents for subsequent babies.
*Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase any products through links in this post. However, I only promote products that I truly love and stand behind. Read my full disclaimer HERE*
NOTE: be sure to check for any recalls on your products and and damage or wear that may make the product unsafe for your new baby. Here are some resources that can help you:
Today’s Parent has up to date Recalls on their website (Canada)
Government of Canada Recalls List
Safe Kids Worldwide Product Recalls List
Here are the products I am grateful to have kept:
1. Rocking Chair
When it came down to it, my second wasn’t as solid of a newborn sleeper as my first was. I have spent many hours with my second in the rocking chair just hoping he wouldn’t be so loud to wake up his older brother.
Here’s the rocking chair we have!
2. Crib
The crib I have was originally gifted to my sister fr her first born, she used it for both of her kids and I’ve used it for both of my kids. With the exception of some bite marks, it’s stayed in incredible shape and has never appeared on the recall lists in the links above.
Here’s a crib as close as I could find to the one we have!
3. *Some* of Baby #1’s Clothes
Now, when I say my first had an excess in baby clothing, you’re probably underestimating the sheer amount that there was. After my first outgrew his baby clothes, I did actually keep majority of them until I was pregnant with my second. I did have some clear thinking though and made the decision to sell and donate about half of the 0-12M clothes, bought baby 2 his own coming home outfit and accepted the brand new clothes family sent for him.
Who could resist these Little Brother and Little Sister shirts?
4. Stroller
We were gifted a nice stroller with real wheels that you could clip the bucket seat into it. While the original bucket seat expired between baby 1 and 2, a new bucket seat was purchased in its place. This stroller has sturdy wheels, great storage, I just love it!
5. Outwear
No one ever thinks to gift a new baby outerwear. While some of the seasons have been slightly off between my first and second (fall baby versus winter baby), having shoes, boots, sweaters and jackets that I didn’t have to go out and buy has been the absolute best.
Here’s a fleece suit we loved for winter walks!
6. High chair
With your second baby, it seems like they go from being a newborn to all of a sudden being ready for solids (that’s how it felt for me at least), and not having to worry about where baby 2 was going to sit safely during meals was a huge relief for me.
Here’s the high chair we have!
So whether you are pregnant with #2 or in between pregnancies trying to decide what to keep, I hope this list helps!
What did YOU feel grateful that you kept for your second, third, etc baby or that you were happy that you could keep to pass on? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
