Make It A Double - What You Will Need When Expecting Your Second Child
Monday, March 26, 2018
So you’re having a second child (congratulations!). The nursery is painted, the nappies are ready and you’ve got a basic care plan in order. With two children, planning is important, and there are a raft of different products and processes you can use to help make your exciting new life a little bit simpler.
So you’re having a second child (congratulations!). The nursery is painted, the nappies are ready and you’ve got a basic care plan in order. With two children, planning is important, and there are a raft of different products and processes you can use to help make your exciting new life a little bit simpler.
A Juggling Act
Managing two small children is difficult, especially if the gap in ages is minimal. Tasks which may have seemed easier (or at least manageable) with one child, may suddenly seem unreasonably difficult or insurmountable.
When expecting your second child it’s a good idea to begin planning for the new baby’s arrival well in advance. As a simple planning exercise, it’s easy to make a list with four columns.
1. In the first column, identify potential situations where the management of two children may be difficult (car trips, public transport, grocery shopping).
2. In the second column, try to think of simple workarounds for these pain points, and list any items which might aid in this process (extra car seats, double prams, gates and barriers, extra arms...)
3. In the third column, write the names of objects which you already have that you can put to use in order to help you manage these situations (clothing, bedding, carrying devices).
4. In the fourth column, identify items you’re either missing, or will need to re-buy in order to cater for two children.
Well Seated
Safety will also become even more of a focus once there’s an extra little person around. Car trips will require extra time and planning, as well as well-made seating for each child. If your older child has grown out of their car seat, it might be time to upgrade them to a newer, larger seat. Before assuming your younger child can re-use the original car seat, make sure that they’re the right weight and size to be able to safely utilise it.
Dining at home may also require a little extra preparation. If both children are at different stages of development in might mean having to prepare separate meals. It may also mean having to purchase extra purpose-made seating. Items such as bibs and bottles may also need to be replenished - you may find that it’s most convenient to keep a clean supply of both well-stocked and easily at hand.
Double Duty
One of the benefits to having children in relatively quick succession is that it’s possible to reuse and re-appropriate many items without having to buy new again.
Unfortunately, a particularly useful piece of equipment may need to be substituted for a bigger, more convenient option - the pram. Single prams may be fantastically useful for one child, but with two, they just add a layer of awkwardness which makes getting around more hassle than is necessary.
Double prams give you the freedom to use your hands, while also providing both children with safe, comfortable transport. They’re also available in differing configurations, so it’s important to do your research a decide which fits in with your lifestyle and your children’s preferences.
Whether you’re looking for an extra seat, a life-changing stroller, or an ergonomic baby carrier, Baby Train have the product or service which can help take the hassle out of your planning. With 4 stores across Victoria (and easy online shopping at the tips of your fingers) Baby Train’s customer service experts are only a visit, a click or a call away.
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