When it comes to registering for baby number two, there’s a lot we can already check off the list. Here’s a list of great products we will be reusing (and recommend!) from baby number one, as well as what we’d like to add for baby #2!

1. Boon Naked Collapsable Bathtub : We chose this tub because it works great for small space living, collapsing flat to hang on the bathroom door, and angles to support baby from newborn on up! We didn’t (and still won’t) have a sink deep enough for the even more convenient sink tubs, and found this to be a perfect alternative.

2. Avent Soothie Pacifier : Newborn Roman preferred these above all other pacifiers, and I loved watching his little mouth suck away through that hole in the middle.

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3. Baby Bjorn Miracle Carrier : We used this for newborn Roman. We chose it so that we could eventually face him out towards the world. He practically lived in it for those first few months until he eventually outgrew it. I loved it while it lasted (I wasn’t a huge fan of the popular Moby wrap alternative).

4. Ergo Baby Carrier: We upgraded to the Ergo after Roman outgrew the bjorn. It is SO much more comfortable and can be worn on the hip or back through the toddler years!

5. Miracle Blanket: Everyone kept telling me to try this, swearing it worked when all other swaddle blankets had failed. They were right! So quick and simple to wrap them in, and he was never able to break out!

6. Honest Company diapers: We opted to go with the Honest Co diaper bundle for Roman. I love getting the shipments every month, and the patterns are adorable and materials are safe and eco friendly!

7. Honest Company bath and body: We don’t get the “health and wellness” bundle, but we do use and love their washes and lotions and plan to continue.

8. Infant Stim-Mobile: We hung this over the changing table and it was a life saver. It’s Montessori style, so inexpensive and Roman just LOVED it.

9. Ikea Leka Baby Gym: I love this simple wooden activity gym. It’s easy to swap out different toys when they get bored of those three, it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and the spinning side features are actually still interesting to Roman at 15 months!

10. Dr. Brown’s Bottles: We tried a lot of bottles and overall these were our favorites. Even though I hope to breastfeed it’s always safe to have a few bottles handy for pumped milked and emergencies.

11. Lanisoh disposable nursing pads and breast milk storage bags: I went through a LOT of nursing pads, basically living in them 24/7 for the 10 months I breastfed, as far as I can tell, they are essential. (Now that I’ll have a washer/dryer maybe I’ll try the reusable kind!) Those storage bags were great for what leftover milk I was able to pump — definitely good to have around.

12. KicKee Pants Layette Gown: If there’s one thing I learned about newborns its that they are the softest things in the world and I didn’t want anything near that precious skin that wasn’t super soft as well. Bamboo fabrics are so soft and breathable, and Kickee Pants makes so many cute things, but I do love the layette style for easy access diaper changes!

13.  Aden + Anais Bamboo Swaddle Blankets : SO soft and light, they were perfect for my summer baby and they’re just so pretty I’m sure we’ll find ways to use them with baby number 2!

14. Skip Hop PlaySpot Floor Mat : I LOVE this play mat. Perfect for tummy time and learning to crawl. It’s super easy to keep clean and provides a nice thick layer of padding without any fabric smooshing into the baby’s face or slipping around under their arms and legs.

Great products we plan to reuse and hope that baby number two likes better than baby number one:

15. Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Carseat: With the highest safety ratings, this is a great car seat. Roman however, hated it. Car rides were miserable; here’s hoping baby number two is a bigger fan!

16. Boppy Nursing Pillow: Since Roman was not able to nurse, this never saw much use, but I have big hopes for baby number two!

17. Boppy Newborn Lounger: A travel friendly, mobile little lounger, if Roman had been okay with being anywhere besides my chest I’m sure he would have loved it.

18. 4Moms Mamaroo: We thought this would be a perfect small space alternative to the traditional bouncer and swing; Roman disagreed. He wasn’t the biggest fan of swings or bouncers either, so I’m really hoping baby number two gets our money’s worth out of it!

If I had to do it over (and now I kind of do!): 

1) I’m going to get a head support cushion to try to make the carseat more comfortable.

2) And this time around we’re going to see if the Rock n Play Sleeper and the 4) Baby Merlins Magic Sleepsuit are as magical as everyone claims!

3) I would get this Halo Bassinet Swivel Sleeper (which was not available at the time) instead of this Arms Reach Co Sleeper (which wasn’t the right height for our bed, poor research on my part.) When it came to bassinets, I was at a loss. We mostly co-slept but tried to keep him in a safe, flat, separate space when possible, so these types of bassinets that keep the baby right next to you are what I’d have to recommend from my experience.

5) This time around we also need winter newborn gear. I love the 7 A.M. Enfant Cocoon Car Seat Cover for really cold weather and the 7) Rain or Shine Kids Pouch as a combo carrier, carseat and stroller cover.

6) I would (and will) get this Mamaroo infant insert to make the Mamaroo a little cozier.

8) Since we’re going to have two little ones we plan to get the City Select Double Stroller with glider board and car seat adaptor. With Roman we just used the simple Maclaren Volo umbrella stroller, which was perfect for our small apartment in the city and traveled so easily.

9) The best part about registering for baby number two: We already have most of the essentials, so I get to fill the registry up with “fun stuff” like clothes and pretty blankets! I love this organic cotton Elephant Gown (again with the easy diaper access) and I’m pretty obsessed at the moment with adorable 10) winter booties and this 11) Ivie Baby Aztec Stripe Cuddle Blanket.

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I’m not sure if most people register for their second babies or not. We had a big beautiful baby shower for our first, but being that number two is coming only a year and a half later, we’re skipping on the “sprinkle.” I still went ahead and made a registry for inquiring, generous family members, especially since she’s arriving around the holidays, when people tend to be looking for gift suggestions anyway!

As far as what we learned the first time around, I hesitate to recommend getting too much ahead of time (especially when it comes to gear like swings, bassinets and loungers). I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times, but I’ll reiterate: if you’re able to borrow from friends or family you REALLY should, as tempting as it is to splurge on all new things, or to simply ask your friends and family to splurge for you… there will be many better uses for that money down the road. Check out Craigslist and local consignment stores and list serves for great deals of course. My best advice is to ask for gift cards and wait and see what your baby likes and really needs. Chances are people will give you lots of clothes and toys and BLANKETS (so many blankets) anyway, but hopefully they’ll be wise enough to throw in what you really want as well (gift cards). I thought I was so clever and minimalist with my first registry, I did so much research… and I ended up with a lot of stuff we didn’t need, and without some stuff we did. Fortunately, I asked for gift cards. (Unfortunately I was terrible with returning things, if you’re organized enough to make exchanges and returns, you should do so without guilt.) But hey, if some of the “stuff” didn’t work out with baby number one, it might just get a second life with baby number two!