From dealing with limited space and taking care of toddlers to saving money on baby stuff, here’s 12 super easy steps that helped me get ready for my second pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So here I am pregnant again and I realized that the second time around can be just as exciting as the first pregnancy but much more economical. Due to the times that we are living in with COVID-19 & quarantine, and also realizing I don’t need much, I have decided to skip on the whole baby shower event and figure it out on my own. With a little cleaning here & there and some bargaining, I have managed to get everything ready for the arrival of this new member in the family. Lets jump to it with the basics…
1. Sterilize baby bottles
If you live in an area with clean water then it’s no longer necessary to sterilize baby products. Washing every bottle (even new) with soap and water is enough to kill bacteria and germs. In my case, I am reusing some of the twin’s old baby bottles and parts from my electric breast pump that are in great condition. Since it’s been in storage for two years, I wanted to make sure that it was free of anything that could cause harm so I washed them as usual and then I submerged them in the boiling water for 10 minutes.
2.Wash all baby clothes:
Just as you did with your first child, you should wash every newborn’s clothes to remove any leftover factory chemicals or germs. Some people recommend using scentless baby detergent but I’ve never had an issue using the regular Tide detergent that I use for the entire family. I collect all the baby’s clothes, remove tags, separate by color and wash them in the delicate cycle.
3. Fold don’t hang
I find it best to fold baby clothes rather than hang them in order to keep everything in order longer. I also recommend only displaying two month worth of sizes rather than every outfit you have to avoid confusion. Once one size doesn’t fit then you can easily take it out and replace it with the next two sizes. Another organization tip is to fold their clothes by style so that it is visually easier to pick out when needed. I like to place all onesies in one drawer or corner and shirts and pants on the other.
4. Use and Re-use:
Not everything for your baby has to be brand new. Kids grow out of clothes so fast that the majority of their stuff remains brand new. I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of friends and family members who had girls in the previous year and gave me their used baby clothes. Don’t feel less fortunate or a bad parent to receive hand-me-downs because what you are really doing is being SMART. This allowed me to save money for more essential items like pampers and from how new they are, no one will ever know whether I bought them at the store or if someone gave it to me.
Clothes is not the only thing you can save money on. I saved so much money reusing accessories that I had saved from when the twins were babies. I will be reusing our double stroller that turns into a single baby stroller, our infant car seat that is brand new and not expired and one of the twin’s baby carrier. A simple wash and dry in the delicate cycle will bring these bad boys back to life and save you tons. Remember to check the laundry tag on all your products before possibly ruining them.
The internet can also help you save. I use the web to find used baby products for sale by other parents. I needed a bassinet and a swing and I found both items online at 70% off the store bought price. Both items are about $130USD each in the store and I bought them for around $40USD each. My favorite go-to sites are Facebook Marketplace or the app Offer Up. Both allow me to search for items in my area that I can easily pick up or have shipped to me. On these sites, all I have to do is contact the seller via messages, propose a price, meet them in a public area (very important) and complete the sale. It’s the best way to save money and it also helps other parents in need of a little extra cash. I’ve also use these sites to resell my own stuff so its a win-win situation.
5. Only buy what you need
After completing all of the previous steps, make a list of what you have left to purchase. I say after because once you have organized, brought out the old and cleaned everything, you’ll have a clear image of what’s left to get and avoid spending money on unnecessary items.
Essential items:
- Pampers
- Bibs
- Formula (if applicable)
- Blankets
- Baby towel
- Baby soap & lotion
- Socks
- Security kit
- Breast pump (If you live in the states than check your insurance, most will cover a new one)
6. Deep clean
It’s important to have a clean and safe home for the arrival of a newborn. I recommend doing a deep cleaning with toxic-free products that do not leave any strong odor behind. Disinfect the entire house, block off the baby’s area from any pets, and organize everything in its place.
7. Baby proof your home
- Store all of the older kid’s toys that are choking hazards for a baby
- Cover all outlets
- Cover or remove furniture with sharp corners
- Store all cables whether they are electronic or curtain cables.
- Secure all cabinets & drawers
- Close the kitchen and stairs with a baby gate
- Store all dangerous and/or glass objects
8. Nursery
This is definitely a no brainer but after X amount of kids the energy to do so might not be the same. You might not have the space or room like you did with the first but it can still be equally special. My toddlers like to touch everythingggg so I left all these preparations till the last weeks of my pregnancy. We will be sharing the room with all the kids ( I know, yikes!) until our lease is up so I had to reorganize some bedroom furniture and make a cute little corner exclusively for baby girl.
I highly recommend having a diaper caddy for storing nightly essentials like pampers, wipes, bibs, extra pacifiers & a change of baby clothes.
9. Keep big brother/sister updated
With the arrival of a new baby, It’s important that your older kids feel equally loved and not forgotten. Let them help with the preparations and read them animated books that will help them understand visually the changes that are about to happen at home. I also don’t think its a bad idea to get them an “older sibling” gift so that they don’t feel like everything coming into the house if for the baby.
10. Labor day
Don’t wait until you begin to have contractions to figure out who is going to take care of the kids while you’re at the hospital. Talk to your babysitter, parents, neighbor, or family member and set a solid plan for at least the first week. Also don’t forget to prepare your kid’s sleepover bags beforehand with clothes, entertainment, and their favorite snacks.
11. Home chores
Avoid having fights with your partner and getting frustrated from the lack of sleep and the amount of chores around the house and set a realistic cleaning plan. Talk to your partner about who is going to be in charge of what in the house while you guys deal with a newborn.
12. Don’t forget the hospital bag
Lastly, get that bag ready to go!!! During my first pregnancy, I had a lot of things that I didn’t need so this time around I have brought it down to only the necessary:
- Mom: 2-3 change of clothes, pajamas, socks, slippers, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair brush, disposable panties, postpartum girdle, coconut water and snacks.
- Dad : 2-3 change of clothes, pajamas, socks, slippers, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, camera, portable electronics and snacks.
- Baby: Two changes of clothes (sizes newborn & 0-3 months), hat, socks,bibs, blanket and car seat.
I’ll be delivering at the same hospital I delivered the twins so I know they will have all the rest (pampers, wipes & etc) available at our disposal. Hope this list gets you organized, saves you some mulla, and most importantly, I hope you have a flawless labor and a beautiful happy & healthy baby. Xox