Q: Can you make a baby registry for a second baby? Even if the second baby is the same gender as the first?
I pondered this question for some time. Because here’s the deal, I now know things I didn’t know before. I know that the baby carrier I registered for and received was horribly uncomfortable. The rocking chair I bought online at Target also didn’t feel anything like the one in the store. And I’ve discovered new products that I wish I’d had the first time.
If I were having a girl, I wouldn’t have any qualms about making a registry and putting it out there. But because it’s a boy, I assume that other people assume that we have everything we need, and they’ll all judge me for asking for help with some of the large items we need.
However, when I asked this question on Instagram, the vast majority of people did make registries for a second baby, or knew of someone who did – 88%. Only 12% hadn’t heard of having a registry for a second baby. My informal research was validated by Baby Center, who had a poll on the topic of baby showers. They asked:
Is it okay to have a shower for a second baby? Some people think it’s bad form to have a shower after a first baby. Others say that every baby deserves to be celebrated. Is it okay to throw baby showers for second (and subsequent) babies?
The results: 73% voted “Yes,” 9% voted “No,” and 16% weren’t sure, out of over 260,000 votes.
Babylist, a website, app, and browser plugin that allows you to create registries with products from any website, votes firmly in favor: “It’s 100% okay to register for your second (or subsequent) baby, especially if you ask for baby items you didn’t get the first time around. Many people will want to get you gifts, and each baby deserves to be celebrated regardless of birth order. ”
Q: What do people register for?
When I asked on Instagram what items those of you who voted “Yes” registered for, you mentioned:
- Diapers and wipes
- A double stroller
- Crib sheets
- Washcloths and towels
- New burp cloths and bibs if the first round are all stained and nasty
- New pacifiers
- Diaper rash cream
- A new car seat – especially if the old one is past it’s expiration date, or is still being used by the older child
- More baby dishes and eating utensils – especially if your first child is still using them
In my experience, having two kids means there’s things we need now that we didn’t need the first time – like a double stroller, for example. Edison will be three when his brother arrives, but he’s not up for a full day of walking at the zoo. Also, he’s still sleeping in the crib converted to toddler bed, so we’re going to need a new bed and bedding for him.
Then there’s things I now know that I want. I saw my pastors’ wife’s new baby wearing a Woobie, and I stopped her to ask what it was and where it was from. Her baby looked so cozy, and with the zipper, it looked so much easier than swaddling! I’ve never been a good swaddler, so I had to add this and some other Velcro swaddles to my list.
Lastly, there’s the category of things we need more of – things like baby spoons and forks, bibs, and basics like diapers and wipes.
I created my registry on BabyList; feel free to check out all the things on my list!
If you’ve decided to create a registry yourself, I highly recommend BabyList (Not sponsored, just love it!) They send out a welcome package with some fun things, like a sun hat, baby products, etc., which is what Edison is helping me open in the photos in this post.
I love that it shows the item’s price on multiple websites, so you can get the best deal. And now I don’t have to have a separate registry at Target, and Amazon, etc. It’s all in one place!
But the best thing about BabyList is that they have an option to add gifts of “Help and Favors” for your friends and family – like bringing a meal, babysitting, housecleaning, etc. Those are the things that I’m going to need the MOST, so I love that I can add them to my registry!
If you’ve had more than one – what did you realize you needed after your first child? What would recommend adding to a registry?
