This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Playtex BabyTM. #ForBetterBeginnings #MomsFirst
While I know that every baby is different, I haven’t had any anxiety about baby products or caring for a baby this time around. After your first baby, I think you just feel a little more prepared in terms of what products you will need and what the whole process is like firsthand. I remember standing in the aisles of the baby section while pregnant with our first baby and being completely overwhelmed. With our second, I didn’t even go to the store to create a registry; I already knew the basics of what we would need. Now that our little man is here, I wanted to share my Top Tips & Tricks for Baby #2 for the first few weeks.
Double Stroller and Light Stroller
Be sure you have a double stroller and a light stroller. A double stroller is a huge necessity if you plan on going out with both kids at the same time. I have already used our double stroller and it has just been a few weeks. Plus, Brooke LOVES it! She thinks its the coolest thing ever. However, they are big. There is no such thing as a “light” double stroller, so be sure that you have a light, easy single one as well.
Learn to Wrap
Because, if you have a light, single stroller, then you can wrap your little babe in a wrap and push your older one in the stroller. I highly suggest learning how to use a wrap or carrier and getting good at it. At my first outing with both kids, I decided to wrap up Kev Kev and let Brooke hold my hand. I’ll just say it was comical. I didn’t wrap him tight enough so I was having to hold him in place, and Brooke was getting into everything! Its a good thing I have a sense of humor or it would have been very stressful. After this, I went home and started practicing more so that we could use this method.
No Shoes
Don’t waste money on newborn shoes and if you get them as gifts, consider returning them. You really don’t need them! I read this in a blog post before my daughter was born, but couldn’t resist the adorable tiny shoes. Well, she barely wore them even one time. You just really don’t put shoes on your little baby that much. I even find that the little socks are constantly falling off. Most of the time, my babies are barefoot or in socks. I suggest this until they start crawling or take an interest in walking.
Stick To The Schedule
This is HUGE!! This is probably my biggest tip. Get on a schedule and stick to it. Luckily, Brooke is on a very set schedule so that makes it easier. We found that a schedule always helped us with her, so we have been using the same method with him. We also did the same routine for bedtime and bath time each night and that was very successful for Brooke, so we have been doing it with him as well. I cannot stress having a schedule and sticking to it enough.
Diversify Your Bottles
I heard this advice with Brooke, but didn’t take it before she was born. We had one type of bottle and it just really didn’t work for her. After that, I went to the store and we kept trying until we found some that she liked. This time around, with Kev Kev, we are trying Playtex BabyTM VentAire® bottles for less colic and reflux. The VentAire offers complete tummy comfort for your baby resulting in a happy feeding. It has a unique bottom vent designed to keep air at back of bottle and out of your baby’s tummy. It is also angled to promote a semi-upright feeding position to help prevent ear infections. This was a huge benefit for us, because Brooke had such bad ear infections and had to get tubes. I am hoping that this will help our little guy.
The bottle also comes with a Most Like Mom® NaturaLatch® Nipple that has a wide shape and raised texture which help baby latch on naturally. I purchased ours from Walmart and you can “Save $3.00 NOW on any ONE (1) Playtex VentAire or Nurser 3-pack bottles.” with the on-package coupon. Both of these bottles were 2017 BabyCenter Moms’ Picks Award Finalists as well. Moms’ Picks awards go to the best gear in the 25 categories that matter most to BabyCenter moms and dads. They award the products that stand out from the rest, from strollers to diapers to bottles, as voted on by thousands of picky parents.
By no means do I have this two babies thing down. Some days, I am constantly changing diapers, nursing, and chasing a toddler around with no spare time to even shower. I hope these tips help you and I would love to hear your tips and tricks for baby #2 in comments!