Were there things you found useful with your second?

We have most things from DD eg cot, pram, bouncer etc but did you find there were things that you would have liked or had that made things easier when you had number 2 (or subsequent) kids?
I'd really like to get a sling this time around. Any suggestions welcome :)

I don't have 2 yet but I have already been told by lots of people that a sling or carrier was great with two so you can carry the baby and still chase the older one around! lol

Yes the close baby carrier is the BEST (and only) thing I have bought this time round. Everything else is recycled from DS1.

Only other thing I would suggest is an extra pair of hands... And if you find one of them let know ;) xo

I think the one thing I didn't have last time that I want for #2 is a rocking chair, but a fancy one, and also a breastfeeding pillow to save my back from the agony of last time. And obviously a double pram...

Playpen - never had one first time round, found it really useful with the second - although that could be because DH was away for several months.

The playpen or gates so your eldest has their own space, that way they can run jump and play with whatever toys the feel like. A double pram was a godsend although now coles has trolleys with the bassinet and a seat as well so I don't need it so often. You may find a sling/carrier a but hard to use having two so clsoe together as you can't really run or bend to well in them.

The carrier definately, it was great for when trying to get two kids in and out of the shops for quick trips. The pram can be a bit of pain sometimes ;) The playpen sounds like a great idea also, i never had one but i can see now that it would have been really useful to know bubs was safe from innocent/well meaning little brothers or sisters who want to smother them in hugs and kisses :p

I would say playpen to. Cause when bub is small you can put them in there and know they aren't being touched or picked up. I use to put my bubs in there and then tell the other kids they weren't to touch them while they were in there. I had a swing to which was handy so I could cook or eat and bub was entertained.

Definately the carrier - and the playpen are both awesome suggestions!!

I can't think of anything else ;).

A carrier is a must and a good sense of humor (you know for those days when all you do is tend to kids and you don't get out of you pjs)

When I had DD3 I got a cleaner for a month after giving birth. This gave me more time to spend with my kids at a time when I needed too.

Only being 4 weeks in I can't say how great it's been to have a Hug a Bub sling. I only got it a short while ago and I use it every single day. It frees up your hands and Bub is just so comfy in there. Check out my ticker pic and you'll see DS3 in the sling.

HTH
Spring

I would say double pram. I love my sling for shorter trips but as far as I can tell there really is no other way to be able to go for long walks, or even extended shopping trips without one. Especially as your first child will still be very young.

I think that almost everything else (except a few new items of clothing) were from DS1.

The things i had for DD2 that i didnt have for DD1 were, a rocking chair-for night feedings so i didnt have to take bub to the lounge or into my room, a swing- so i could have bub busy while i did dinner and dealt with DD1, and a bath chair so that once bub was a bit older i could have them in the bath together and not have to worry about DD1 swamping DD2 with waterwaves, and thats it! I did get a new cot and bassinet as they were borrowed from my cousin for DD1 and i will need a double pram for when bub3 arrives as DD2 will likely still be less then 2 years.

a bouncer rocker thing never had one for jack but love the one i was given for luke so much easier when out at friends to grab it out it folds flat than stuff round with a pram,

Another vote for slings. I have a few and they are still in rotation.
A lightweight stroller - I had a heavy pram which I loved, but when you feel like you're swamped something light at the shops is a godsend.

i was going to say a swing, this time I am going to get a craddle swing, because I remember there were times when I had DS and DD needed my attention and I was busy trying to rock him to sleep (he was a shocking sleeper), so this time that is going to be my investment. Also a capsule for the car, because it was so much easier getting 2 kids in and out of the car with the baby already strapped into his car seat- that is something else I will be investing in again this time.

For me it was definitely a sling so I could keep Miss Velcro close at hand and still have two arms free to wrangle Miss Adventure lol :)
If we have any more kids, the next investment will be a swing or something similar to pop the littlies in to keep them occupied while I'm busy with other things, DD2 likes her walker but I feel it's a bit hard on her spine etc when she's tired and not wanting to hold herself up for 'long' (ie anything more than a minute or two lol) periods... it's great for keeping her in one spot though now that she's crawling, I'll be cooking dinner or whatever and she wants to be nearby but I just can't hold her, kwim?

oh yeah a lightweight stroller I have a big 4 wheel one and a 3 wheel we used for jack as a baby, then when he got older we got a ligthweight stroller well with Luke the 4 and 3 wheeler arent being used I just grab the stroller