Having a child is one of life’s greatest joys and privileges. But most find it challenging! If you remember how hard it was last time, you will be motivated to prepare for baby number two this time around! You can be proud when you raise children because no one finds it easy. There are sleepless nights, lost time, and hormones all over the place. But in the end, it is worth it. You already know what to do. But here are some friendly reminders of how you can help yourself.
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Provide a Cozy Sleep Environment, Again!
Babies sleep. Well, they feed, poop and sleep! If you remember, they need a lot of sleep as they grow. And usually like to stay wide awake when you need to sleep! However, you can try to sync up your schedule with theirs, as they are demanding. One of the best tools you have is the baby’s bedroom. This includes checking out cribs for newborns and babies that are safe and comfy. A cozy and inviting space where they can sleep soundly will make a massive difference.
Prepare Your Older Baby
Your older child might be a toddler, school-age, or even a teenager when you have a second baby. Hopefully, a teenager will understand the importance of what is going on! If you have a toddler, it can be easier to prepare them for the arrival of a newborn into the home:
- Teach them ways they can help with the new baby, such as feeding and burping.
- Find quiet time activities they can do while you need to nurse the newborn.
- Show them how to lovingly hold and care for the newborn baby.
- Teach the toddler the importance of being an older sibling and what it means.
Toddlers will generally be pleased that they will have a new little brother or sister. But they may not understand that this means some changes for them. Nor will they understand how they need to be gentle. Teaching them about this early on helps prepare them and gets them excited.
Prepare for Baby Number Two as a Family
Staying close as a family is a powerful way to care for a newborn. Everyone has a role to play, not just mom! Daddy or Mom no 2 is there to assist when you need your rest. Remember, there are two of you in the relationship! But family time still matters. Today, the average American parent spends just 32 minutes reading and 43 minutes playing with their kids. We can all agree this isn’t enough. Just getting out to a local park in the sun can make a massive difference.
Visit different places
No one likes being stuck inside. And getting out is good for you and the baby. Family time at magical places like the zoo, theme parks, and national heritage sites make treasured memories. Exposing the baby to these places also helps them adjust better to sounds and lights, as their tiny brains take in all the information. Plus, it helps relieve any tension that can build up within the family. The stress of a newborn affects everyone as you all adjust to the challenge.
Prepare meals ahead of time
Just as you say goodbye to sleep after a newborn, time seems to slip away right along with it! It can feel like there just isn’t enough when you have a newborn and a family to manage. This is where preparation pays off! Meal planning is an excellent way to save time and money. Plan what you want to make and stick to the ingredients list when shopping. Then batch cook anything that can be made ahead of time, and don’t forget to freeze meals for use later on!
Schedule alone time
Even with a newborn, you still have responsibilities to the other kids. Of course, this is not easy. And it can feel like an enormous weight and pressure. So remember, you deserve some time to yourself. Never feel guilty about wanting a little space after all the time you spend running a family! Even if you can get a thirty-minute break, take a bath, play some music, and simply relax. Enjoy it because it won’t be long before everyone is home and the chaos starts again!
Financially Prepare for Baby Number Two
Children cost money! In fact, they cost quite a lot, and it’s only getting worse. You will probably remember this from your first child. However, you have an advantage this time because you have been here before. And that means you can prepare yourself financially beforehand:
- Consider leaving the move to a bigger home for now unless absolutely necessary.
- Reuse newborn must-haves you have left from the first child instead of buying new.
- List the things you found to be financially draining last time so you’re ready for them.
- Don’t forget about the cost of child care and factor it into your overall budget.
- Make priority lists so you know where the money should be going and reduce waste.
- Take the nine months you have to stock up gradually on baby essentials like diapers.
- Review your savings and check how much you can take out to accommodate any costs.
A newborn can be one of the biggest costs you have. So you will need all the funds that are available right now. Put off any big decisions and purchases until your financial situation is a little better. Don’t forget about child care for work. This can be a massive financial cost.
Get the Home Ready
You already have a child, so you know just what a challenge the home can be! As soon as your back is turned, they’re in the fridge or at the foot of the stairs! However, you already know all the tricks this time. Preparing the home for the arrival of a second baby is easier this time, but no less critical. There will be little things you need to attend to. And maybe some light cleaning is in order. And organizing the home? By now, you should be an organizational god!
Tackle smaller DIY projects
It seems like the list of things to get done at home never ends. Like a game of Whack A Mole, another thing pops up just as you get one job done. But the little DIY projects can make a big difference. Light bulbs you just haven’t gotten around to, carpets coming away from their edges, and baby-proofing for safety. Tackling these little jobs before the baby arrives makes it easier on yourself. There will be more things to do once the little one arrives, meaning even more work.
Deep clean the home
Of course, you clean your home. But how many of us clean properly? Don’t feel bad about it; it’s a rare person who enjoys doing chores. Even with a cleaning routine, there will be things you have missed. Really take a look around the bathroom, and you will see. It’s good to clean, but we don’t do it deeply. A deep clean every now and then ensures the home is as clean as possible. Dust high areas, vacuum behind the sofa, and scrub away in the bathroom!
Prepare for baby number two with the essentials
It’s normal to have a bit of mess in your house. Especially if you have children. This is mostly clutter and minor items like toys, games, and a stray bit of clothing. About 25% of us have a clutter problem, but this can be easily sorted. Clutter can be dangerous to babies, though, so ensure your home is as clutter-free as possible. This will help you stay organized. Organization is vital as you will need quick and easy access to essentials like clothes, feed, and diapers.
Get Yourself Ready
With all the preparation, excitement, and jobs to do, it can be easy to forget about yourself! What do you need to make this easier on you as an expectant mother? Mental and physical preparation is the key to getting through a second child. So consider these beforehand:
- Think about the joys of what you went through the first time around.
- Make a list of the things you found hard so you are ready for them this time.
- Be kind to yourself when it comes to taking time for yourself before the big day.
- Eat and drink healthy food and take any supplements you need.
It is a joy and a privilege to be a parent. Of course, there are bad days. But that’s life. It is also scary. But try to remember the good things about being pregnant the first time around. The bonding, the first laugh, and the joy of watching your little one fall fast asleep in your arms.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Support
Unless you are in an unfortunate position, you aren’t alone. There are friends, grandparents, and immediate family who would love nothing more than to watch the little ones for a while. Everyone loves a newborn, and you can use this to your advantage. Ask your mom and dad to take the baby for a while. You will need support to get through this challenging time. There are also support lines and charities for coping with the challenge of a newborn baby.
In conclusion Ensuring your newborn has a cozy sleeping environment is a key step as you prepare for the arrival of baby number two. This time around, you’ll also have a better grasp of the financial aspects, which should ease some of the pressure. If you find yourself needing a bit of extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or tap into the resources available in local or online support groups. You’re not alone in this journey, and there’s plenty of help out there for you and your growing family.
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Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, & Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!
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