You already have a house full of gear from baby #1, so what do you actually need for baby #2? After three kids, these are my second baby must-haves: what to buy new, what to reuse, and what you can skip.
Start by checking the items you already have for recalls, since they happen often. Most gear that is still in good shape can be cleaned and reused. But as a mom of three, there are a handful of things I think are worth getting when you are expecting a second (or third, or fourth…) baby. Want to see what made the cut the third time around? Check out my favorite baby items with baby #3.
My Top Second Baby Must-Haves
- Best carrier for juggling two kids: Ergobaby soft-structured carrier, works from newborn through toddler, so it earns its keep.
- Best for nursing with a toddler around: Haakaa milk catcher with lid, the lid saves your milk from tiny hands.
- Best bottle: Comotomo silicone bottle, silicone can be reused for every baby.
- Best for nursing on the go: Milk Snob cover, doubles as a car seat cover.
- Best budget mattress upgrade: Naturepedic organic mattress cover, a waterproof barrier if you keep your old crib mattress.
Reuse, Replace, or Buy New? A Quick Guide
| Item | Reuse or Buy New? | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Crib or bassinet | Reuse | Fine if it meets current safety standards and has no recalls. |
| Infant car seat | Reuse if it qualifies | Only if it has not expired and has never been in a crash. |
| Crib mattress | Usually reuse | Replace if it sags, has dents, or was not waterproof. |
| Bottles | Reuse glass and silicone | Replace nipples. Replace plastic bottles that are scratched or cloudy. |
| Pacifiers | Buy new | The material breaks down over time and can become a choking hazard. |
| Breast pump | Reuse or get a new one | Replace valves, membranes, and tubing. Insurance may cover a new pump. |
| Stroller | Depends on age gap | A double stroller if kids are close in age. Otherwise add a ride-on board. |
| Sound machine and monitor | Buy a second | Your older child probably still uses theirs. |
| Baby carrier | Reuse | Check buckles and straps for wear. |
| Clothes and swaddles | Mostly reuse | Add a few new pieces so it is not all hand-me-downs. |
What to Buy New for Baby #2
Diapers & Wipes
You will need plenty of these for each baby! See my list of the best disposable diapers. Tip: Prime members get an extra discount on diapers through Subscribe & Save.
Diaper Cream, Baby Shampoo, and Other Toiletries
You’ll continue to need more of these essentials!
Changing Pad Liners
Many of the ones you used before are likely stained or in the trash!
Pacifiers
If your babies use pacifiers, get new ones for each child. Over time, the material breaks down. I saw this firsthand when one of our old infant pacifiers ripped and a piece fell off. This poses a choking hazard for your baby!
Bottle Nipples (and Maybe Bottles)
It’s recommended that plastic bottles are not reused for multiple children. However, if there is no damage to the bottle, many people reuse the bottle and just get new nipples. If you use glass or silicone, you can definitely use those again, just get new nipples because of the previously mentioned choking hazard.
A Second Sound Machine
If your older child still prefers white noise to sleep, you will want to buy a second sound machine. This portable sound machine is my current favorite. It charges and runs all night on a battery.
Bibs
I needed new bibs after my first baby because the ones I had were low-quality and had stains. These silicone-pocket bibs are my new favorite! They are easy to clean and have a silicone pocket to catch dropped food.
Infant Toothbrush
You won’t be reusing this!
Worth Getting Now If You Skipped It With Baby #1
Baby Carrier
If you didn’t have one with your first, you’ll definitely need it now. With more than one kid, you will be multi-tasking more than ever before. A baby carrier is awesome because it allows you to hold your baby while having both arms free. You could get an infant carrier for the early days, or a soft-structured carrier to use with your baby or toddler. For more options, see my baby carrier guide.
A Safe Place to Set Baby Down (while supervised)
You won’t be able to hold your baby nearly as much this time around. If you didn’t get some of these the first time around, now is the time to make sure you have a safe place to contain (& entertain) the baby while you interact with your older child (or shower, cook, use the bathroom, take a break, etc.). A bouncer, playard, or play mat is great for supervised awake time. For sleep, always use a crib, bassinet, or playard with a firm, flat surface. The CPSC warns that infant loungers, nests, and pods are not safe for sleep.
Don’t Forget Your Older Child
Eating Utensils and Tableware
Your first child is likely old enough for solids now. Add some items for baby #1 to this registry! And, before you know it, baby #2 will be sitting in a high chair eating solids. See more ideas in my toddler tableware roundup.
Travel Gear
If you travel often, you’ll need a second set of some travel gear (depending on the age of your older child/children).
Second Baby Essentials for Mom
Postpartum Care Items
If your registry is for your personal use, or just a few close friends, you may want to add some postpartum care items to help you take care of YOU post-baby.
What You Need Based on Age Gap
Infant Car Seat (Reuse or Replace?)
If your car seat has not been involved in an accident and it has not reached the expiration date, go ahead and reuse this one! Move your older child on up to a convertible car seat if they aren’t in one already. However, if enough time has passed and the car seat has expired, you’ll need to purchase another.
A Larger Diaper Bag
If you are still using a diaper bag for your first child, you may need more room with the additional need for diapers and bottles. New stylish diaper bags are always being released, so chances are there is a new one out that you like better than the one you got with your first baby.
Do You Need a Double Stroller?
So many fantastic double strollers are out there, so the best one for you depends on your layout preference (side-by-side, tandem, modular, etc.), how you will use it (walking the sidewalks, jogging, walking the mall, etc.), and your budget. For help choosing, see my stroller buying guide. If your kids are more than about three years apart, a single stroller with a ride-on board may be all you need.
A Stroller Ride-On Board
If your older child is too big for a double stroller but still gets tired on walks, a ride-on board is a cheaper, lighter option. It attaches to the back of your single stroller so your toddler can hop on and off. The Lascal BuggyBoard Maxi fits most strollers and holds kids up to about 48 pounds. If you have an UPPAbaby Vista, the UPPAbaby PiggyBack is made to fit it.
A Second Video Monitor
With two kids, a monitor with a split screen lets you watch both rooms at once. For baby #3, I got a Nest security camera because we can reuse it as a home security camera once our kids outgrow a camera in their rooms. If you’d rather have a traditional monitor, these are the ones I’d look at:
Best Split-Screen
 eufy Baby Monitor E21 |
Most Cameras
 VAVA Split-Screen Monitor |
Best App
 Nanit Smart Baby Monitor |
|---|
eufy E21: shows two cameras side by side on the parent screen and works with or without Wi-Fi.
VAVA: supports up to four cameras, so it grows with your family, and it never connects to Wi-Fi.
Nanit: the best app experience if you want to check in from your phone anywhere (some features need a subscription).
Fun Things to Buy New (So It’s Not All Hand-Me-Downs)
Muslin Blankets
I love all the adorable patterns! It’s fun to get some new prints for the baby, so not everything is a hand-me-down!
Swaddles and Sleepsacks
New versions are released all the time to make your life easier! What worked with baby #1 may not with baby #2.
Clothes
A few new outfits in the right size and season are worth it, since hand-me-downs rarely line up with baby #2’s birthday.
Books
Whether you need to replace some chewed up classics, or read newly published books to your baby, new books are nice to have!
Toys & Teethers
It’s shocking how well a little person can destroy anything they get their hands (or mouth) on!
A Baby Book of Their Own
Second babies are known for getting fewer photos and a half-finished baby book. Giving baby #2 a new memory book of their own makes it easier to capture their firsts too. The Lucy Darling memory book is a favorite for its pretty design and simple prompts, so it’s easy to keep up with even when you’re outnumbered.
Breastfeeding and Pumping Must-Haves
A New Pump
You may or may not actually *need* a new pump, but if your insurance provides one, take advantage! There are many reasons a second pump would be beneficial. I loved keeping one pump at home and one at the office. Your insurance may cover a battery-operated pump (examples: Freestyle, Willow), which is really helpful when you have multiple kids. Your old pump may have lost some suction and a new one may do a better job. So many reasons to get a new one!
Silicone Milk Catcher (& Manual Pump)
The Haakaa silicone milk catcher is fantastic! You can use it as a manual pump, but I just suction it on one breast while feeding on the other and allow it to collect milk on its own. The basic Haakaa is great, but with an older child running around, I recommend getting the one with a stand and lid. I learned the hard way that I should have bought the one with a lid when my toddler ran by me knocking over a precious ounce of liquid gold before I got it into the fridge.
Nursing Cover
Most breastfeeding moms already have one of these. The Milk Snob cover doubles as a car seat cover. With two kids you will be nursing on-the-go a lot more, so this is a must-have for me!
Breast Pads
Lansinoh TheraPearl packs help relieve engorgement and plugged ducts. Soothing gel pads calm sore nipples. Silverette nursing cups are a more expensive way to relieve sore nipples, but they have the added benefit of being 100% natural, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial.
Breastmilk Storage Bags
A necessity if you want to have any breastmilk stored! Lansinoh storage bags are my favorite for storing in the freezer.
Maybe Consider: A New Crib Mattress
Many experts recommend you get a new crib mattress for each baby. The reasons to consider getting a new mattress include: fluids and bacteria inside the mattress, loss of firmness over time, and off-gassing from synthetic materials. We used the same crib mattress (organic, waterproof and still firm) for all three babies.
- If you did not have a waterproof crib mattress or waterproof mattress cover, you should consider a new mattress. Think of the bodily fluids from baby #1 that are likely inside the mattress… ewww!
- Check your mattress shape closely. Any sagging or indentations from previous use can be unsafe for a newborn.
I briefly discuss why I think it is important to get an organic crib mattress in my post on safe baby sleep spots. Do your research on this one. I was concerned enough about flame retardants and other chemicals in conventional mattresses that an organic crib mattress was worth the cost for us. If you don’t have an organic mattress it may be worth considering purchasing one. If that is out of your budget (they are expensive!), you could also consider getting an organic mattress cover to block some of the off-gassings.
Should You Make a Baby Registry for Baby #2?
Yes, even if you are not having a shower or sprinkle. A registry is an easy way to keep track of what you need, many stores send a free welcome box, and most offer a completion discount. The Amazon Baby Registry gives you up to 15% off whatever is left on your list. For ideas, see my sample Amazon baby registry and best gear for your baby registry.
Second Baby FAQ
What do you really need for a second baby?
Mostly consumables and a few duplicates: diapers, wipes, new pacifiers and bottle nipples, a second sound machine or monitor, and possibly a double stroller. Most big gear from baby #1 can be reused if it is in good shape and not recalled.
Can you reuse a car seat for a second baby?
Yes, as long as it has not passed the expiration date printed on the seat and has never been in a crash. Also check for recalls and make sure all the parts and labels are still there.
Do you need a new crib mattress for baby #2?
Not always. If your mattress is still firm and flat, has no sagging or dents, and was protected by a waterproof cover, it is usually fine to reuse.
Do you need a double stroller for a second baby?
It depends on the age gap. If your older child will still be riding in a stroller when the baby arrives (usually under about three years apart), a double stroller is worth it. Otherwise, a single stroller with a ride-on board often works.
Can you reuse bottles and pump parts?
Free Babysitting
Housecleaning
Meal Delivery
Wine
Sleep
My Non-Registry Dream Wish List
Glass and silicone bottles can be reused with new nipples. For pumps, replace the valves, membranes, and tubing, since those wear out and affect suction.
