What things did you do/not do first time

[Twinkletwinklelil]

What things did you do or not do the first time you had your baby vs the second?

im due in ~3 months with my 2nd and I would love to learn any lessons!
for me, I bought a Moses basket and it never got used, bought a sling way too late and never had a baby swing or sleep pod - all things I think I’ll do differently this time round.

I had a Moses basket for my first and second that was barely used. Didn’t bother for the third and won’t bother this time (fourth) either.

Other things I’ve never used with three babies include dribble bibs, cotton wool and scratch mittens.

With my first I spent the first couple of weeks obsessively writing down how long she would feed and sleep for, and logging every wet or dirty nappy. I’m sure I was told to do this but I’m not sure why - no one ever asked to see it and It caused me an unnecessary amount of stress trying to remember what time she’d started feeding or fallen asleep. I didn’t bother with baby 2 or 3 and they’re none the worse for it!

My hospital bag also never looks anything like the lists I often see online of things you ‘should’ pack. I’ve never felt the need for fluffy socks, shower flip flops or some of the other things that always seem to be recommended. But every mum and baby is different!

My little one never slept in her moses basket either - initially I could only get her to sleep in her pram then, at 7 weeks, she just went into her big cot (in our room).

Also wasted money on an expensive breast pump which I used once.

Two things I will absolutely use again - a baby sling (used from 6 weeks) and love to dream sleepsuits

A pp mentioned dribble bibs. My DS didn’t use them for the first 9 months so I gave them away to friends who were about to have a baby. I thought they were useless. Well I regretted that, by 11 months he was just dribbling sooo much. I bought a lot of the neckerchief bibs again from vinted. He’s used them from 11-15months, if he didn’t have one on he would soak his top within 30 minutes.

We didn’t really use the baby bouncer but that could be baby specific. He didn’t like it, only wanted to be held, playmat or sling.

Gosh yes bubs!! My toddler hates them so much now too lol

the other one was dummy’s - never used for intended purpose but I may this time!!

We used our moses basket all the time!
Didn't use the scratch mitts, just bought onesies that had them built in

Didn't and have never used bibs. Ds hated them.

Didn't use a cot mobile, they filled me with SIDS fear.

The best thing I put in my hospital bag was a ridiculous amount of snacks 😀

Pregnant with my second and will absolutely use the love to dream sleep suits and zipadee zips. Will not even bother with trying to breastfeed, will just go formula from the off. We will use the Next2me crib again, and we will do ‘day’ and ‘night’ clothes again - like sleepsuits at night and tops and trousers during the day. I felt it might help our first know the difference between night and day, not sure if it did but I enjoyed dressing him in cute clothes and it’s made him really good at getting dressed in the morning - we always get dressed first then go down for milk.

last time we made up the days formula in the fridge and used a bottle warmer which was a pain to get the temperature right - this time we will use a prep machine.

we will probably just use water wipes this time and not bother with warm water and cotton wool for nappy changes in the middle of the night.

I also doubt we’ll have time to record all their formula/nappy changes/sleep in an app this time either, and I’m sure it’ll be fine!

Oh also - changing station downstairs as well as upstairs!! Will do that again.

I won’t put as much pressure on myself to meet up with people or go to groups - I’m just going to try to enjoy every minute as it’ll be our last baby and do what I want. Box sets, walks, shopping, baby cinema etc and hopefully won’t spend as much time worrying and feeling depressed.