Gift Ideas for Second Child/greatest New Baby Products

The freezer meals idea is WONDERFUL. Let's Dish is great, as is Mix It Up Meals in White Bear Lake. Otherwise I'd say anything sized for 2 children versus 1.

A different suggestion from me perhaps, but I'd go with a baby carrier. Not the infant seat kind, but something to keep baby close and snuggled while playing with the older child and doing household tasks. I love baby-wearing, and wore my son a lot when he was little. I nanny for two older kids, and my DS goes to work with me, and it helped so much to be able to keep him close and happy while still getting everything done that needed to be done. First I'd suggest checking out a couple of sites (www.attachedtobaby.com, www.theslingstation.com or www.thebabywearer.com). The babywearer has forums where you could ask questions and get answers - the women there are great help! For ease of use for a newborn I'd suggest a pouch sling, a ring sling, or a mei tai. All three of those carriers could also be used with a toddler. I couldn't live without my baby carriers.

I found the best two products I used often is the bouncy chair and then the Jumperoo (like a johnny jump up with music and stages of growth). The Jumperoo is from 2004 but I know they have something like it at Babies R Us. Maybe she has that already. I used the bouncy for the first 4 months or so and the Jumperoo I used 4/5 months and she's still using it at 8 months. I recommended the Ellaroo Mei Tai hip or the wrap if she wants to wear her baby for a long time and to wear the baby comfortably.

You might check out www.coolmompicks.com. It's a fun web site that lists all sorts of unique finds for babies and toddlers. You can access the archives by clicking on "Find It" in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.

Hi,

When I had my second and third child I loved things that made that first month easier. I'd suggest a freezer full of meals from either Let's Dish or My Girlfriend's Kitchen. I also loved coupons for babysitting, games for my older children and a gift certificate for a massage.

Giving a mother new baby items is fun and when it's her first child it can really help economically but, don't forget about Mom. The baby will never remember a new little gift but Mom will remember and talk about that freezer full of meals for the rest of her life.

T.

I am in that position right now. I am expecting my second and don't really know what I need. I def want a Bumbo. I wanted one with my first but they were really new, hard to find and seamed expensive at the time. This time I don't care!!
Other things that I am thinking of are memento type things. I don't want the second child to feel less loved because they have less photos, and other memento type things. Maybe a hand/foot print kit. Photo albums, growth chart, baby book, that sort of thing. And I don't know any new mom that would turn down diapers!

I am the mother of a 3 1/3 year old girl and expecting another girl in August. Althought we already have a bunch of "girl stuff" it would be nice for the new baby to not have to have EVERYTHING be used. A few new outfits, blankets, toys, bottles, nuks, and DIAPERS!!!!!!! You can never go wrong with diapers. Maybe a case of size 2. Gift certificates to baby stores or restaurants, or free babysitting...
Hope this helps.
J.

Hi, K.! Speaking of the Bumbo, something that's newer (and, I think, better and more stylish) is the BeBe Pod Plus. It's the same idea- helps the baby sit up, but it has a tray, two placemats and a sassy toy attachment. My 4-month-old loves hers!
Also, something that my friends did at my shower was that they gave me a library of baby books. A great idea for my curious new daughter AND my 6-year-old son (also Nicholas) who loves to read to her! If your friend's older child can "read" (hold a book and make up a story), it's a wonderful gift idea and great way to help big brother feel involved. And of course, gifts for a tired two-time mom are always appreciated- think massages, salon certificates and "gift certificates" for babysitting or meals when the new baby comes along. Good luck!

Diapers, Diapers, Diapers!!! (Unless she uses cloth). Just have a "diaper shower".

If she doesn't have one, a Kolcraft (or other brand) carseat carrier was my favorite item when I went from 1 to 2. http://www.dreamtimebaby.com/uncarseatcar.html

I think there are some new models out there by different people, too.

You might also consider a baby backpack - those can work for older kids and younger kids. Or the new stroller attachments that let older kids sit/stand on the back of a stroller. Here's one example, but there are others out there:
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

But I agree about the food - a freezer full of food is very nice.

diapers and wipes are always helpful.

I have a group of friends - we all live around the world - and whenever one of us has a baby, we all chip in and buy gift certificates for Schwans. That way, the mom can order some food, have it delivered and most of it is totally easy to to make (pop in the oven, microwave etc.) which really helps with 2 little ones.

We are having #2 in November (my son is 2.5 now) and I think a Bumbo seat is a good idea. I definitely want one of those for this baby. They are very new, introduced last fall maybe? I saw a wagon listed earlier, that is a good idea, we use ours a lot now, so I assume with 2 it will be more once the baby can sit up. Or a double stroller of course, you can find them in great shape at garage sales or in the paper for less than $100.

hello,
i would suggest a wagon. i have to little ones and wagons are great. she wouldn't be able to use it right now but when the baby is about 7or 8 months old it would be great for taking the kids to the park, going to the zoo or any other outing.