Baby registries make shopping for new parents easy. Finding great gifts for second babies is not as straightforward. It is often tough to know what to give to a family when they welcome their second, third, or fourth child to their home. Many parents don’t register the second time around, though baby “sprinkles” (mini showers) are gaining in popularity.

 

 

As we packed up our baby gear, The Engineer and I reflected back on the best gifts we received as our daughters were born.

 

Great Gift for Second Baby

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Mamajamas: I got these as a sprinkle gift from two close friends, and I absolutely love them. I will give them to any new mom, as they are great to wear in the hospital and at home. Nursing the baby is quite easy, and they are very comfortable and forgiving.

Nursing Supplies: If the mother is breastfeeding, stocking up on nursing supplies is always appreciated. Lanolin Cream, Nursing Pads, and Mastitis Relief, all together in a basket, was a welcome gift from a co-worker.

Pharmacy Supplies: There are some supplies that parents might want to buy new for each child. Pharmacy Finds for Baby gives a comprehensive list of these items, all of which can be found at a local Target or other pharmacy.

 

Grocery or Meal Planning Subscription: There is never enough food in the fourth trimester, or if you’ve been up all night with a crying baby. Many online meal planning subscriptions cut out the trip to the grocery store for the sleep deprived parents, as they offer quality ingredients and recipes delivered to your door. Recently, many grocery store chains (Harris Teeter, Kroger, Wegmans, and Walmart in our end of the country) offer an online shopping option. For a reasonable cost, you can download an App, select all your groceries, make notes to the shopper, and they call you when the groceries ready. I have been so spoiled by this service that I don’t think I’ll ever give it up. My preschooler informed me yesterday that she’s “forgotten what the inside of the store looks like.” Fine by me!

Kiwi Crate: If the family has preschool or elementary age children, a craft subscription is an excellent way to occupy an older sibling while the parents tend to a newborn. It also allows for a 1:1 time activity while the baby naps.

Mother’s Helper: Sometimes, you just need a helpful person in the house! If there will be long stretches of time when big siblings are at home, having someone else to entertain them is critical. Or, this helper could just hold the baby while the parents shower or complete chores. After our third was born, we had a middle schooler in an adjacent neighborhood come play with the older children so that I could clean while the baby napped. Nextdoor.com is a great way to find someone local.

Books for Parents: To pass the time while feeding the baby, I frequently opted to scroll through social media, which was fine for the first few feedings each day. When you add it all up, I was spending way too much time doing this, and it started to mess with my head. I think every friend I’ve ever had lost all their baby weight before they left the hospital (though that is a post for another day…). Reading turned out to be a much better pass time for me and my sanity, and these are some of my favorite books for this season:

 

 

Happy gifting!