What's On My Second Baby Registry [14 Sanity-Saving Must Haves for Mom!] (2024)

14 Things you need on your Second Baby Registry

Remember before your first baby was born, when every little onesie was washed and neatly folded? When brand new cribs were set up with soft sheets, baby swings carefully assembled, new carseats awkwardly positioned?
You felt completely ready. And perhaps sometimes a little overwhelmed with all of the baby toys, clothes and products that were suddenly overtaking your life. It was probably hard to imagine a time when you might need ANY new baby things!
Now that you’re expecting number two, however, you might be reassessing your readiness. But is it okay to make a second baby registry? Is it something you need to do?

In This Post

Do You Need a Second Baby Registry?

What's On My Second Baby Registry [14 Sanity-Saving Must Haves for Mom!] (1)

The fact is, there are a many reasons that you will most likely need some (or a lot!) of new baby products for your second child.
You might:

Have missed out on a baby shower for your first baby due to social distancing.
Have a baby of the opposite gender
Have a large age gap between babies so gear needs to be replaced
Have life changes or choices that necessitate new baby products (for example, you stayed home with baby #1 but are now working and plan to pump for your new baby).
Have sold or given away baby gear from your first child
Have family and friends anxious to spoil your new baby
Just want new things! (and that’s okay!!)

If you need (or want!) new baby gear for your second baby and are trying to decide if you should start a registry, then read on. We’ll talk about second registry etiquette, dos and don’ts, and give you some great ideas of things you definitely need to include.

Is It Rude to Have a Baby Shower for Your Second Baby?

Some people in older generations might think that gifts and/or showers for a second baby are a faux paus. Fortunately, these days most people recognize that every baby is worth celebrating!
A second baby registry is an absolute must if someone is throwing you a baby shower or sprinkle. Even if you aren’t having a formal baby shower, a second baby registry is a great resource to give people who will likely reach out and ask you what you need for baby.
A registry will give your friends and family specific list of items you are hoping for and allow them to bless your family with or without a baby shower.

What Should You Put On Your Second Baby Registry?

When deciding what to add to your second baby registry, here are some helpful questions to ask yourself.

Are there any items baby #1 is still using? If you have a bigger age gap, you likely won’t need duplicates baby items. However, if you have babies 9-24 months apart then there may be some overlap that will necessitate buying two of something (like crib or convertible carseat).
What worked/didn’t work for sleeping with your first baby? Think back to the newborn days…if you loved your past sleeping arrangements then you are golden! If there was something that didn’t work for you and your baby, think of alternatives. Bassinet vs. pack n play? Mini-crib vs. full size crib?
Do you plan to breastfeed/exclusively pump/bottle feed? Especially if you are feeding baby #2 differently, you might need new or different equipment. Also, pumping technology changes pretty quickly! Check out new options like these hands-free breast pumps and consider adding them to your second baby registry.
Are you considering cloth diapering instead of disposables? Or vice versa? Cloth diapering has gotten SO much easier over the past few years. There are many products that make it easy to switch from disposables, you might want to consider it! Or, if you cloth diapered for baby #1 but want to go disposable for this baby, you’ll want to add a few different products to your second baby registry. Check out our guide on what you need to cloth diaper.
Are there any safety issues with products from my first baby? Check expiration dates on items like carseats. It’s also a good idea to look on company websites for items like your crib, crib mattress, bottle warmer, baby monitor etc. to see if there are any safety recalls.
Has normal wear and tear on baby gear made anything unusable for baby #2? Some baby products just don’t make it past baby #1! If the cushioning is no longer squishy, if things are stained, if the diaper bag doesn’t have a strap anymore… put a new one on your second registry!
Is there anything I simply want for my second baby? Nothing teaches quite like experience. If after baby #1, you recognize that a certain baby product would have made your life easier (here’s my list right here!), then add it to your second baby registry! If it has been awhile since your last baby, ask your friends and family members what their favorite new product is.Things change so quickly and there are always new products being added into the babysphere!

What You Need for Your Second Baby

I know, I know, you’ve been there done that!

But if time has passed or just in case you are a little fuzzy, here is a list of baby items that you will need for baby #2.

All of them would make a great addition to your second baby registry.

Diapers/wipes: Cloth or disposable, these are a necessity!
Bigger diaper bag / backpack: Since you’ll have more than one child, a larger (or easier to carry) diaper bag is a smart second registry item. You’ll love our list of
Bottles/nipples/pacifiers: The shelf life of bottle nipples and pacifiers is around three months. It is smart to buy new nipples and pacifiers as well as a variety of bottles so you can find out which one your second baby prefers.
Infant car seat/convertible car seat: If the carseat from baby #1 has expired OR if your convertible car seat is still being used, you’ll definitely want to register for a new carseat.
Double stroller (age dependent) or a ride-a-long attachment for an older child: Unless your older child is 5+, you will want a stroller that will fit both of your kids, trust me! You can choose a double stroller OR get a ride-along-attachment that lets your big kid stand.
High chair (age dependent): If baby #1 will still be using a high chair when baby #2 is 6+ months old, it is a good idea to register for either a high chair booster seat for the older child or a second high chair.
Playpen/travel crib: If this didn’t make it on your first registry, you probably can understand what a lifesaver a travel crib can be! They also work well to keep your new sleeping baby close by but safe from well-meaning older siblings.
Bouncer/Baby Swing: Life gets much more complicated when you have two little ones in the mix. Even if you didn’t use a bouncer or swing with your first baby, they come in quite handy when you are trying to calm down an infant while taking care of a toddler.
Baby carrier: A baby carrier like a Moby or Boba will make taking care of two kids infinitely easier! Whether you use it while grocery shopping or making dinner, my baby carriers got a ton of use when there were older siblings in the mix.
Cushy closer: This simple, but handy product will help keep the noise down when baby is sleeping. When you attach it to your doorknob, it ensures that the door will close quietly… something you’ll appreciate!
Hands-free wearable breast pump: This is one of those new tech products that are worth registering for! Being able to pump hands-free (and possibly cord free!) is a life changer. Pumping is time consuming and this will free up your hands to get things done and/or get some quality time with your new baby’s big bro or sis.Read our comparison guide of the three top models to find the right one for you.

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May Need (If close in age)

If your babies are close in age, here are some items that you might want to add to your second baby registry.

Second crib: As appealing as it sounds to move your older child to a new bed so you only have one crib, the stress of transitioning is often too much for toddler (and parents!). Purchasing a second crib is a wonderful option that will let baby #1 transition when they are ready (and hopefully mean less sleep disruption for everyone).
Baby monitor: Unless your kids will be sharing a room, don’t forget to add another baby monitor to your second registry.
Sound machine: Another gadget you’ll need in every child’s room, a sound machine may not be 100% guaranteed to keep your new baby snoozing but it will definitely help!I have this one (and I love it!).

The Final Word on Starting Your Second Baby Registry

Every baby is worth celebrating! Chances are good that your family and friends will want to spoil your new baby, and creating a second baby registry will help them to purchase gifts that you need and will actually use.
Hopefully we’ve helped you strategically think through the baby products that you have and thoughtfully decide what you’ll need for your second baby.