By Lindsay

When someone has their second baby, friends & family may assume they already have most of what they need. While I agree that the term “sprinkle” is more appropriate than “shower” when it comes to gifting second time mothers, there are certain things I would sprinkle them with that I would not have thought of without experiencing having two littles.

An assortment of diapers.

I know you’re probably thinking diapers are a necessity regardless if it’s a mother’s first or second baby, & of course that’s true. However, I have found that different brands of diapers perform differently. Gifting a new mother small packages of several brands to try can help her find what brand works best for her baby. For example, my babies regularly had blow outs in pampers, but Huggies contained waste that would have been an explosion in a pampers.

Disposable breast pads.

Even if someone plans to use reusable pads, having a box of disposable on hand is a big help in case you run out, or if you’re out & about, it’s much easier to toss a disposable than stow a reusable that you’ll have to remember to retrieve & wash.

Also, you must wash breast pads in a garment bag or you’ll clog your washer, so consider gifting a garment bag along with reusable pads, & a box of disposable for when the new mom is over clogging her washer with breast pads she forgot to dig out of the hamper & put in the garment bag!

A way to make vehicle entry & exit simple.

This step hitch makes it easier to help a toddler into a high vehicle when pregnant or when baby wearing.

A way to buy yourself time to buckle in a baby while containing a busy toddler is to load your toddler in the trunk & tell him to play while he waits for your help to get into his seat, or to climb into his car seat himself. Having a step facilities that well.

Keep in mind that these products are not one size fits all! Look up the size of the hitch receiver for the make & model of the vehicle before purchasing, or else it may not fit.

Personalization bonus – this particular step hitch I linked in the article came with a D shackle (the hot pink D ring you see in the photo). The step hitch comes with a black one which looks cool, but if you wanted to personalize with mama’s favorite color, you can order a separate D shackle or D ring in virtually any color.

Toys that you only need one hand to help with & that entertain quietly.

Big sibs need extra love during this time of transition. If you have a toddler who still needs you a lot, having ways to engage while caring for a new baby go a long way.

For example, this Melissa & Doug magnetic wand counting toy is an excellent way to engage a toddler while nursing since you only need one free hand to help. Bonus, it’s educational & screen free!

Indoor energy outlets.

A sofa slide is an excellent energy outlet for a busy toddler while mama is nursing or changing their new baby sibling. Having this outlet in the same room where baby care usually happens is super helpful; mama can keep an eye on her busy toddler & cheer on the big sib(s) while caring for the baby.

This particular model was very simple to assemble, so simple that my toddler was able to help me.

Engaging busy toys

Toys like play dough or legos are great for keeping toddlers busy & engaged while mama is caring for the baby or trying to do dishes.

Sensory bins are usually good entertainment but are very messy, creating a lot to clean up.