25 Must Haves For A Second Baby Checklist

Now that I’m expecting a second child, it’s time to get real about what I really need for baby number two.

Although I have most of the big-ticket items like a crib and stroller, somethings I need to replace or upgrade on.

Depending on your baby item preferences, some essentials you may need to stock up on before baby arrives!

Since I’m expecting my second bundle of joy soon, I’ve searched my own home for baby items I need replaced, upgraded and baby essentials I need.

Here’s 25 must haves for your second baby checklist!

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Second Baby Checklist Items:

Bottles and Nipples

Unless you plan to exclusively breastfeed without pumping, then you need bottles and nipples!

Through trial and error for my first son, I went through a couple different brands of bottles and nipples.

While I love the ease of Medela bottles that attach to the Medela breast pump, I don’t like the nipples.

My son just crushed them making feeding difficult.

I then switched to Nuk bottles and nipples, which worked quite nicely.

However, once my son’s teeth cut through, I found myself replacing nipples constantly.

He was like a mini t-rex who bit through all the Nuk nipples.

For my second baby checklist I need a new stock of bottles and nipples.

I had major difficulties with breastfeeding my firstborn, so I’m not counting on breastfeeding my second.

Therefore, I need a large stock of bottles and nipples.

I found the best bottles for baby during the first year are any bottles that help reduce fussiness, gas and colic!

While I’m partial to Playtex Ventaire Bottles, there are plenty of other bottles that provide anti-colic relief.

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Pacifiers

I don’t know about you, but after my first little t-rex I have NO pacifiers left.

They’ve all been tossed in the trash because he bit through all of them!

Because of this I have no choice but to buy a whole new stock of pacifiers.

When getting these for your baby checklist there are two things to remember:

Get different sizes
Get a pacifier holder/attachment (so they don’t get lost)

On top of these two reminders for buying pacifiers, you might want to also consider getting glow-in-the-dark pacifiers for nighttime!

Baby Soap

This is a necessity item you need for baby bath time!

While my toddler loves lots of bubbles, I still mix a bubble mix with an organic baby soap for my toddler’s hair and body.

Baby Lotion

With baby lotions, I’m rather picky. I have to have an organic baby lotion that’s lavender scented.

I don’t know why but I love it for it’s calming properties and the smell!

Bibs

Yes, I still have bibs laying around that I used for my son.

But they are really trashed from loads of laundry and food stains. Some of them have begun fraying too.

There are so many options when it comes to baby bibs. Personally, I love the terry cloth bibs so I can pop them in the washer when I’m done.

However, there’s also great options of silicone bibs and reusable plastic bibs.

Cloth Diapers

Since my toddler has outgrown all disposable diapers and pullups, we’re a cloth diapering family now!

I planned on cloth diapering with my second baby anyway so why not get a head start with my 2-year-old too.

If you plan on cloth diapering they’re many necessities you’ll need. One of the necessities is cloth diaper covers.

For this option I went with all-in-one pocket diapers from AlvaBaby.

These sets come with two microfiber inserts per diaper and they also come in adorable prints!

Cloth Diaper Inserts

Another accessory for cloth diapering, diaper inserts come in a variety of options. It’s all up to personal taste.

What I’m doing is not stuffing the pocket of the all-in-one diaper and instead laying a bamboo insert on top of the pocket.

This is beneficial if you want to get multiple uses out of one diaper cover or you don’t like microfiber inserts.

These are a necessity for your second baby checklist, but there’s tons of options to pick from including…

Cotton inserts
Microfiber inserts (They don’t go directly against baby’s skin)
Bamboo inserts
Hemp inserts
Disposable inserts

Cloth Wipes

If you’re cloth diapering you might as well add cloth wipes to you baby checklist to purchase as well!

I use cloth wipes because they are way easier with cloth diapering than disposable wipes.

I’m already doing laundry for cloth diapering, I might as well throw a few cloth wipes in the washer too.

Baby Clothes

While I wanted a girl for my second baby, I’m very happy with having another boy.

This means I don’t have to buy a whole new stock of clothing!

But if you’re having a baby of the opposite sex from your first, you’re going to need new baby clothes!

Baby Carrier

If you don’t already have a baby carrier, baby wearing is the way to go when it comes to a second child.

Your hands are already full chasing another child.

A baby carrier allows you to be hands free while keeping your little one close to you for snuggles, breastfeeding and bonding on the go!

Double Stroller

Now that you’re going to be a mama of two, traveling get’s a little more tricky.

If you plan on going anywhere that involves long walks like zoo’s and parks, then a double stroller is what you need!

The Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double Stroller is definitely on my baby checklist!

But you don’t have to buy a double stroller right away.

This will be one of the last items I check off my list because it is more of a luxury item then a necessity for me.

Stroller Glider Board

If you don’t want to splurge on a double stroller you can always purchase a glider board.

A stroller glider board is a stand platform with wheels that attaches to your existing stroller.

This is a great option for older children who no longer want to sit in a stroller!

Milk Storage Bags

If you’re breastfeeding and also pumping then you need to stock up on milk storage bags.

Although I didn’t breastfeed for very long, I was very thankful for milk storage bags because I was exclusively pumping because of latch issues.

I was able to freeze and store a small stash of breastmilk.

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Portable Breast Pump

One of the worst things about pumping is actually sitting through a pumping session.

I want to be free to move around, not attached to a breast pump that doesn’t allow me to care for my oldest.

Thankfully, there are many breast pumps that are portable!

I have the Medela Swing that runs off batteries to allow me movement throughout the house.

While I like the Medela Swing, it’s only a single pump and I would like to have a double instead.

You can find a variety of portable breast pump options HERE.

It is worth noting: Not all breast pumps are created equal. The one down fall to a battery or rechargeable portable pump is you may sacrifice suction power. The best way to choose a portable breast pump is by simply reading reviews!

Pumping Bra

If you’re wondering how you can completely be hands-free with a portable breast pump… You need to get a breast pump bra!

A breast pump bra is similar to a regular bra, but it allows easy access to attach any size flange to one or both nipples.

Formula

Whether you want to skip breastfeeding or had breastfeeding issues with your firstborn… You will need formula!

I intended to fully breastfeed with my first child, but I didn’t count on all the issues we would encounter with breastfeeding. I had to supplement with formula.

I would have loved to breastfeed, but things don’t always go as planned.

Now with my second baby on the way, formula is at the top of my baby checklist of things to buy!

I’m just counting on having possible low milk supply with my second child as well.

At this point it’s just better to be prepared.

Disposable Diapers

If cloth diapering is not for you, then your other option is disposable diapers.

For my first baby, I didn’t cloth diaper and instead used Luvs Disposable Diapers.

Disposable diapers are just like cloth diapers in the fact that you can stock ahead on everything you need before baby arrives!

My husband and I made it a habit each week to buy a box of Luvs in different sizes.

Because of this, we didn’t buy diapers for the first six months after my son was born!

Disposable Wipes

Disposable wipes go along with disposable diapers! You can easily add a box of disposable wipes to your shopping cart each week you go shopping for groceries to stock up.

Burp Rags

Take a look at your burp rags from your first baby… Are they going to hold up through hundreds of laundry cycles and spit ups for your second baby?

If the burp rags look like they won’t hold up to their job, it’s time to transition them to dust rags and purchase some new ones!

Backpack Diaper Bag

You hands are going to be extra full now with a new baby and an older child.

You don’t have a free hand for a diaper bag or the patience to fix a diaper bag that keeps falling off your shoulder.

A more convenient option with lots of storage space is a backpack diaper bag.

Car Seat

Depending on the age of your first child, you may need a new car seat. It all depends on your car seat’s expiration date.

Typically, a car seat expires every five or six years. But always check the expiration date that’s usually located on a tag.

However, some expiration dates are stamped into the plastic. This makes it difficult to find!

Sound Machine

I think for a second baby checklist, this is a perfect addition! No it’s not a necessity item, but here’s my thinking behind having one for baby number two…

I have a 2-year-old toddler who loves to scream and exercise his vocal cords.

I’m thinking a white noise sound machine will help keep my newborn to sleep when my toddler’s playing and delightfully screaming in another room.

Diaper Rash Cream

Yep! You need to start thinking about how to treat a dreaded diaper rash again.

I personally love Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm and MotherLove Diaper Balm.

Of course, another all natural treatment for diaper rash that works wonders is organic hard-pressed coconut oil.

Teething Toys

Yes, you could reuse the same teething toys or rings, but you need to sanitize them.

I am reusing some teething rings from my first child, but I also bought a few more because you can really never have enough!

This time around a bought a teething mitt and a teething training toothbrush.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your second baby checklist is completely different from your first. Your an experienced mom now!

You know what baby products you like and need for your second child.

If you’re like me… You want to check off all the necessity items (like diapers) and replace items that have been destroyed by your firstborn.

Plus, purchase items that provide you with comfort and convenience (like a backpack diaper bag) for yourself and your children!

So what are you waiting for?! Start prepping for you exciting new addition by getting things you need for baby number two!