what a second time mom needs...

souce

now that my due date is coming i'm unpacking all the little dresses and toys of when zoeti was born. my parents keep asking me if i need something or what they can buy as a present for the new baby and i'm .... in difficulty! the truth is that i've plenty of neutral dresses (i didn't know that zoeti would be a girl so i bought just yellow, white, green and light blue dresses), our stroller is brand new, car seat is ready, my cousin lend me the swinging chair, i bought tons of books when zoeti was born to read before nap time and i still have a box full of toys for newborns. so... what can be useful for a second time mom?!

i've checked on internet and so far that's the most clever ideas i've found:

# a board for stroller: zoeti doesn't use the stroller that much but i can't think about carring her around in my arms! a board can be a great solution and it's easy to keep both of your children under control!

# i already have a mei tai and i was thinking about buying something more suitable for a newborn such as a long sling... i've just read the ester weber's book portare i piccoli (carry the little ones) and this time i want to commit more: the contact between mother and child has so many advantages!



 # diapers: yes guys... can seems a strange gift but a newborn needs a lots of diapers and they always end up when you least expect it! if you want a fancy presentation, you can buy a diaper cake
( a friend of mine makes them with soap or cream inside... always a success!)



# a photo album (digital or paper): i've heard that usually second child doesn't have so many pictures as the first born. i love taking pictures and i have my camera with me almost every moment so i don't think this will be a problem but having a project or a place to put the very first pictures of the newborn is always a great idea i think!

# hygiene products: i'm not a big fan of cream and oil for babies but a bio soap with a natural sponge will be definetely appreciated! i took a course of baby massage with zoeti but... i don't know about your kids but mine didn't likebeing stripped for a massage and after the bath she did totally not agree on staying naked! that's way i used cream or oil maybe three times!

# something silly for the big sister/brother: please, don't forget the first born!! a newborn doesn't care if you say that he/she is so beautiful or if you give him/her attentions, but a toddler does! when my friends became mothers for the second time i always gave my attention to the big kid first, congratulating them for being a big brother or sister and giving them something like a sweet or a small toy. it's very important and helpful for the mommy because an angry and jealous child to deal with is always hard!

# food: i'm already filling the freezer with quiches, lasagnas, meat, etc... i remember those crazy first days, when you come home with this new baby and cooking seems the hardest and the least of your worries. but this time i have a little daughter that NEEDS to eat properly (which means no pizza 6 dinners per week)! that's way we (my husband is an amazing chef) are preparing food in advance...

# time: take care of the little one while mommy can spend some quality time with the first born (and viceversa) can be a great gift too! zoeti, for example, loves swings so bring her to the playground for an hour will let me stay 100% with the newborn without guilt.

# nice words: during this pregnancy i'm feeling like a torn mother: i can't stay with zoeti as i want and i'm not "listening" the newborn's movements as i did the first time. everything i do seems to be wrong in some way. after childbirth you already have a crazy battle of hormones, tons of thing to do and a life to reorganize so just take two minutes to ask a mommy "how are you?" or to tell her that she is doing a great job can be one of the most appreciated (and free!) present you can ever make!