What did you buy for dc2 that was massively helpful?

[Tory79]

Dc2 is due in sept. I'm just trying to compose a list of things to buy, and was wondering what magic items people had bought for subsequent dc that turned out to be incredibly useful when managing 2, or that you came across free the arrival of first dc and wish you'd heard about before etc etc

Eg I'm thinking of getting one of these as ds only ever slept on me for the first 3 months or so and this seems to have great reviews....

plug for bedside lamps and Sound Touch app on iPhone for DS1 for emergency distraction as required

sorry - Dimmer plug

sling not only for transportation but for things like at toddler groups or parks when you are running after your toddler and dont have anywhere to put baby.

with buggy why not a phil and teds or similar then you have option of a double if you need it but as a single it will last well?

a friend got a box of new bits for dc1 to have when she was fweding dc2 - like little puzzles, stickers, books etc which I thought was a brilliant idea.

Sling (google tour local sling library and try various options until you find one that works for you, fwiw I'm small and a stretchy wrap followed by a Connecta worked for me) and as much help in the 5.00-7.00pm slot as you can get. Having my mil make tea and watch TV with dd1 while I did the cluster feeding with dd2 made a huge difference.

I have a newborn and a 2.3 year old. Co sleeper crib working OK so far, close caboo sling very useful and bugaboo donkey is awesome.

DD is 4 weeks and we have almost an exact 3 year gap.

Sling - my moby sling is my best friend these days, love it.

We didn't get a double buggy but I wish we had, DS loves it so in finding we are using the buggy for him and sling for baby but a mountain buggy duet is definitely in my wish list - doesn't fit in our boot though.

A swinging chair was really useful. We borrowed ours from a friend. It isn't an essential, bit is was useful to have somewhere else to put the baby that he liked being in.

A spare set of changing mat, wipes, nappies etc for the bathroom. I already had two sets, one for downstairs and one for upstairs, but having a set permanently in the bathroom was useful.

I think a bath support chair type thing would also have been handy for when bathing both Dc together.

just under 2 year age gap here - double buggy is a definate must. sling is very uncomfortable in hot weather where i am (although maybe thats not such a problem in uk ;)) and in general found it very difficult to help dc1 around the playground etc with dc2 strapped onto me

slings. lots of slings.

Starting with a stretchy wrap, then a Manduca and a few woven wrap (s).

Baby Bjoern bouncer. Bought it second hand and it has been a godsend.
Decent sling. After trying the ergo and manduca we went for the connecta and love it.
A tumble dryer! Couldn't imagine not having one any more!

Oh and borrowed a co-sleeper cot from a friend. Couldn't have lived without it for the first months.

Lots of baby gates and cupboard door locks. It was easy to supervise DS1 and he was crawling up and down stairs from about 10 months. So much harder keeping an eye on two DC 100% of the time so we have utilised a lot more baby proofing equipment second time round.

Depending on your buggy budget you could consider a Micralite Twofold with carrycot. Its nifty.

A swing has saved my sanity.

Haven't got to grips with sling as it's a bit awkward chasing after DD (2) and cooking etc with him in it.

Will check out recommendations on here as I have Ergo which doesn't face out, which I think he'd now prefer at 4 months.

Ewan dream sheep

Sling,buggy board and a set of reins for out and about gave us all the options we needed without forking out for a double buggy.
Baby rocking chair which DD didn't have, but was handy for keeping DS out of the way of rampaging toddler
Tv hard drive (like sky plus box) so I can actually watch what I want when I get a sit down.
Changing station in every room (box of wipes, nappies, Muslims etc)

Good thread btw, wish I'd read this pre DS!

I used a sling a lot with DC1 and much less with DC2 funnily enough!

I had a baby swing for DC2 which has been absolutely essential - in fact she is napping in it right now at almost 5 months. It has also meant we didn't get into the habit of feeding to sleep/holding for naps which I did with DC1 but which is much less convenient with DC2.

finding You might find a back carry in your Ergo is easier for things like cooking, or else that a different sling would work better. It's worth googling your local sling library, as they will be able to show you the various options.

Personally, I wouldn't do facing out as it really pulls on your back and makes you more unbalanced, which is the opposite of what you want when you're trying to get on with stuff.

One of those musical swing seats. It allowed DC2 to see what was going on but not get trodden on by her big brother.

And I borrowed a sit up bath seat. Was a great gadget.

I really like the look of that micralite twofold! Wonder if I can convince dh.... We still have the travel system we bought for ds which we ought to reuse really, it's just going to feel so heavy after using a MacLaren for the last 18m!

Fair point googleyeyes...and he's heavy so might not be feasible!

With swings/seats/baby equipment I'd also say buy big hardy stuff that toddler can clamber on without fear it will brake, so they are not banned from all the shiny new baby things.

• a sling. I've used a Baby Bjorn without problems for both of mine
• a double. 2.5yr gap here but was still using it for the nursery run when DD was 4.1 as I just needed to get there & it was just over a mile
• a set of nappies, wipes, muslin & change of babygro downstairs
• a second bouncy chair & play mat for upstairs (borrowed off a friend & absolute godsend)
• bath support &, later, swivel seat
• putting some snacks & cartons of drink in a drawer in the kitchen that DC1 could reach. Likewise, putting some pants, socks, leggings & t-shirts in a drawer she could reach
• a realisation that DC2 is very different to DC1 and therefore may not like the things she did (eg swing)
• baby bits for DC1'S doll so, when I was doing things with DC2, she could do the same with her doll
• chocolate!

Marking place really useful thread!