Curious what you need to put on your registry for second baby? My list will help you cover all the right ground, with gear for toting two, to super lightweight car seats, the best breast pumps, and the conveniences that will make all the difference. This is my personal registry for second baby, and I know it will help you plan for a new little one, too!

My second pregnancy has been so different from my first and completely the same, all at once. 

People said, “Oh, with the second, you’ll be so relaxed you won’t care about anything! And the nursery won’t be done until she’s 3 months old. And you’ll remember exactly what to do!”

Yeah, no to all of those. I’m actually more paranoid with this pregnancy, to the point that I called my doctor something like 10 times from Paris after I accidentally ate a lot of foie gras and raw Camembert. My concerned, elderly French waiter pointed out that I’m not supposed to eat that only after I’d shoveled it all in, of course, and then I became convinced that I’d get listeriosis from the Camembert and toxoplasmosis from the salad it was all on. My doctor wasn’t surprise when she heard from me, if that gives you an idea of how chill I am during pregnancy.

And the nursery? I’m 25 weeks now, and it’s more or less totally done. I sit in there sometimes and stare at the crib and the seriously badass crib skirt I found for super cheap at a Pottery Barn Outlet and think about how lucky my girl is going to be to learn all these snappy shopping skills from her frugal mama. 

And knowing exactly what to do? I wish. I’m lucky to have an amazing network of mamas locally that I can grill at any moment, but I honestly don’t even remember what my son wore when he was a couple months old. I have no idea if I should invest in onesies or only sleepers, or was it onesies first then sleepers later? Thank goodness for Google Photos or my life would feel like an in-the-moment reel without all the zen and peacefulness attached to such a thought, all memory just completely zapped.

The one thing I do know, though, is what I’ll be doing better this time. The stuff that I need to make my life easier during those survival-mode newborn days. I started my registry early (Surprise?) and have been slowly working my way through it, much to the dismay of my friends who are convinced I’ll leave nothing for them to buy. And I just get so damn excited about each new little thing that’s going to solve a problem I had last time or make our lives easier or more streamlined in some way.

So this is my ultimate registry for second baby. In fact, it’d be a fantastic guide for a first-time (Or fourth-time!) mama, too, who just really wants to nail it during the first go. I am, however, leaving off several basics that second- and third-timers already probably have, focusing on those items that offer much-needed convenience and help with the transition to #2 or #3. 

Registry For Second Baby

Gear

UPPAbaby Vista

I have a slight obsession that I don’t even try to hide: my love of strollers. Last time around, we were on much more of a budget and decided on the chic GB Evoq travel system with ride-along board, making it workable for our little family that we knew we’d want to continue to grow after the birth of my son. I loved the stroller so much but didn’t love the car seat, so I decided to get a new one this go-round. And then it occurred to me, after our trip to Europe, otherwise known as everyone-here-has-a-Bugaboo that maybe I should just get a new stroller system altogether. Not knowing if this is my last baby or not, this time I wanted to get what I really wanted, and I began my search for the perfect solution.

I quickly discovered, though, that the UPPAbaby Vista would be absolutely perfect for us. Not only does it look super chic and have an unbelievably smooth ride, you can configure the stroller in a dozen ways to use with one, two, or three (Three!) kiddos.

How rad is that? So we decided to invest in a system, get an extra seat that my toddler could use at the same time as the baby, and eventually possibly even set it up for three.

I’ve also been amazed at just how much stuff is packed into the UPPAbaby Vista system. It comes with an overnight sleep-approved bassinet that’s very high quality and packed with functionality: zippers, shades, and screens all over to make the bassinet either cooler or warmer, depending on what you need.

And since it is approved for overnight sleep, you could make it baby’s bed for the first few weeks or months of her life. So cool, right?

We’ll be getting an extra RumbleSeat to use when the baby is old enough to sit in it, as well as the Piggyback Ride-Along Board for Leo to stand on when he’s feeling tired but doesn’t quite want to sit in the stroller. 

Add it all to that registry for second baby!

Nuna Pipa Car Seat

So I didn’t like my GB Asana car seat all that much. I mean, I did! It was safe and easy to use and so easy to pop in and out of the stroller frame. But it was so heavy. That car seat plus baby felt like a million pounds, and I carried him in and out of the car so much that I thought my elbow would completely break off.

I decided I’d do better for the second one.

I started looking for the world’s lightest car seat and came across the Nuna Pipa Lite. 7.9 pounds. 7.9! That’s less than Leo weighed when he was born! I was so sold. And then I found out that you absolutely cannot install it in a car without the base, and since we plan to travel to, at minimum, New York City when the baby is about 7 months old, I knew that was a no go. 

I decided, instead, on the Nuna Pipa. Sleek and still extremely lightweight at under 10 pounds with all the bells and whistles, it was just it for me. I did have to buy an adapter to make it work with my UPPAbaby Vista, but it was totally worth it.

I love the dream drape for those newborn naps, and I simply just can’t get over how lightweight it is. Especially living in a city where we drive so much, prioritizing the car seat is a must for me. Registry for second baby must-have.

Halo Bassinest

Newborn sleep was and still is the thing I dread most about having a new little one. I’m not good with the constant waking up, the feeling of being half a person all the time – it’s just not a great look on me. Last time, I had a cosleeping sidecar-style bassinet thing, but it was massive! It seemed to swallow Leo when he was teeny, and we ended up returning it. We replace it with a rock-n-play sleeper, which worked really well, until I found out, much later, that they’re not safe for overnight sleep! So this time, again, I vowed to do better on my registry for second baby. Enter…

The Halo Bassinest.

It may seem ridiculous to non-parents to need something that literally swivels baby over to you, but during that 4th feeding of the night, it will make all the difference. Even with the rock-n-play, bending over to get my teeny squish meant actually sort of waking up, engaging my abs (Really!), and having to lift him back up. Pass.

Since safe sleep is so important to us, the Halo Bassinest seemed ideal. It’s a true bassinet, so it’s approved for overnight sleep, and the fold-down side is just a game changer. I also got the newborn insert to help ease the transition from squishy, comfy womb to open flat surface.

We bought the Premiere Series version, since I’m really into the vibration, little songs, and nightlight, as well as organization for diapers, making those nighttime changes even easier. I knew this piece of gear was definitely going on my registry for second baby as soon as I packed up the rock-n-play for my son!

Dual Camera Baby Monitor

You got two kids now; what does that mean? Dual baby monitors, y’all. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but we’re having to switch baby monitors to easily add a second camera to keep in my toddler’s room. He’s pretty good on his own, but we will like to keep an eye on him.

I gave dad the task of finding the best and easiest dual camera baby monitor out there, and he picked the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens to put on our registry for second baby. We decided against a wifi camera this time, since we had trouble with ours before. We also love that you can change out the lenses on this monitor, since a wide-angle lens would be perfect in the toddler’s room to keep all his shenanigans in view!

We’ll be buying this second camera, of course, too, to complete our little dual camera baby monitor set.

Bath

I have all the bath stuff we need – that newborn tub, a ton of washcloths, and a sticky mat for when they’re older. But I definitely had to put new skincare items on my registry for second baby!

Super Safe Skincare

That precious brand new baby skin! You’ve got to treat it right; you know that! I fell in love with Beautycounter’s baby line last year and will be using the same for this baby, too. I’m especially fond of

• Baby Gentle All-Over Wash
• Baby Daily Protective Balm
• Baby Calming Diaper Rash Cream and
• Baby Soothing Oil

And uh… I totally use the Protective Balm and Soothing Oil on myself, too. So… yeah… maybe I should put a couple extra of those on my registry for second baby. Just saying.

All their products are super, super safe, and I find them so effective, too. My favorite natural baby skincare products, hands down! I’ve researched the heck out of this stuff, because our skin absorbs everything, and I feel the most comfortable with Beautycounter for both baby and me. It’s all I’ve used during this pregnancy, all we use on Leo, and all we’ll use on girly, too.

Feeding

I nurse and pump, so my experience is all about boobs. If you’re a formula-feeding mama, you’ll want to get a Baby Keurig (With this formula maker/dispenser, you can make a bottle in 3-8 seconds and control it all with your phone!) and killer bottle warmer, for sure, if you don’t have either or the bottle warmer is looking a little peaked. Get a fresh set of whatever kind of bottles you liked best last time, too. I know we had a ton but finding and matching all the pieces has proved challenging at our house! This entire category is super important on any registry for second baby.

A Badass Breast Pump

I didn’t think (or know) I’d be pumping all that much with my first. I figured I’d keep working from home, mostly watching him, pumping at about 6 months when he started attending school or going to grandma’s during the day. Then, yeah, I got an office job about that time and had to pump almost full-time. Whoa. 

I probably could not have ever anticipated that happening, but this time I’m going into things assuming I’ll be pumping like a dairy cow. Last time, I got the pump that my insurance covered 100% but this time? 

I’m getting the gold standard, y’all. The Spectra S1. 

With a chargeable battery (Meaning it’s cordless!) and hospital grade, the Spectra S1 is considered the best out there for consumer pumps. I’m investing in all the right accessories, too, like:

• My favorite nipple-soothing cream, Lansinoh lanolin
• Extra Spectra parts, to make the bottle parts washing a little less terrible and urgent
• Milk Savers for all that wasted milk from one side, especially in the early days, when little one’s eating on the other side
• Lansinoh TheraPearl hot and cold breast therapy packs, which I loved using with my pump early on
• Lansinoh milk storage bags, which are some of my favorites and some of the most economical
• A deep freezer. SERIOUSLY. Finding space for all my pumped and frozen milk was a huge challenge, and pumped milk lasts significantly longer in a deep freeze than a standard door freezer. This was one of the first items on my registry for second baby, mainly used as my list of big stuff to buy before my shower, and it might seem silly… but it’s a must for me! Not like it will go to waste after I’m done pumping, either, right?
• If you don’t have a manual pump, I highly recommend getting one. I pumped with my Lansinoh manual during the middle of the night on the opposite side and often got up to 6 ounces in a few minutes that way!
• Since we did a lot of bottle feeding of my frozen milk, we’re investing in a better and faster bottle warmer this time around. Ours was looking a little sad by the time we finished with bottles with my son, so we’re hoping this one is a better investment for those nighttime feeds by dad, nights out with baby home with a babysitter, or grandma helping keeping baby full while I’m out on a shoot.

Béaba Babycook Baby Food Maker

Yep… I was one of those moms who made her own baby food in the early days. And don’t get me wrong: it’s not hard with the standard tools, like a steamer basket and pot, blender, etc. But if I can streamline that process, since, hey, I’ll be certainly making mac and cheese for the toddler at the same time? I’m down for that.

I used the Béaba Babycook Baby Food Maker when I was a nanny in Paris many years ago, and I loved it then! It steams and blends the ingredients in the same appliance, which I think is just too rad. It might seem like a luxury, but since we’re all about the freshest food with best taste for baby food purées, I’m all about it. It might be a convenience, but it totally deserves a place on your registry for second baby.

Clip On Counter High Chair

I just kind of assume we’re going to be busier than ever with two kids, especially that rambunctious toddler! And since we cook so much, I love the idea of clipping a comfy little chair onto our kitchen counter and hanging out with baby while we do our daily thing. 

We have a great high chair that we love – a Fisher Price wooden chair from the 80s! My mom kept mine, and I loved it so much I scoured eBay to find one of my own. But we need something for those earlier days when a standard wood chair won’t work, and this Inglesina Fast Table Chair is just too cool. Pair it with these awesome (and adorable) silicone feeding mats with the built-in sections and bowls, and you’re totally set. Great for chilling and eating puffs while you do the dishes (I mean, seriously, how many parts can a pump and bottle have?!) or get dinner ready. Registry for second baby priority!

Other Must-Haves

Dock-A-Tot or Boppy Lounger

Just so we’re clear, Dock-A-Tots are not safe for sleep. What they are cool for, though, is letting baby hang out awake while you do other stuff. We put Leo in his Boppy Lounger all the time when he was little, and I even took a shower or two with him on the lounger right outside the bath, just staring at and listening to me, kicking his fat little legs like crazy. This is a must for me on that registry for second baby.

Chill baby time that lets you stay hands-free? Even more important with the second little one.

Lillébaby or Other Baby Carrier/Wrap

I have this tiny obsession with woven wraps and baby carriers, y’all. I mean, they’re just beautiful! And functional. And just everything about them I, ugh, I love. Primarily, I fell in love because it meant freedom with a little one. I’d strap him on and prep dinner or do laundry or sling him on my chest at the grocery store and actually get a ton of shopping done with a baby who wasn’t crying or taking up the entire cart with their car seat. 

Líllébaby carriers are by far my favorite soft structured carriers for a few reasons. First off, they’re hella chic. I have the one in the photo but in a bright yellow, and it’s just gorgeous. On top of that, it comes ready to use with a newborn, no insert needed! I also found the lumbar support to be extremely helpful when Leo was a bit bigger. If you’re going to buy or put just one carrier on your registry for second baby, I highly, highly recommend Líllébaby.

And a soft, stretchy wrap is great for newborn days, too. Last time, I had a hand-me-down Moby, and Leo loved snuggling and sleeping in it when he was brand new. This time, I didn’t need a new wrap, but I got a lovely Solly baby wrap anyway! It was way too gorgeous to pass up this time.

Nightlight

Oh, hello again, 2:30 a.m. Miss me? You must’ve. 

During those early newborn days, I struggled with my own sleep. Leo would wake up, I’d turn on the light, feed him, he’d go back to sleep, and then I was wide awake. And then I switched to no light at all, but uh, I couldn’t see him, so…

What I really needed was a soft nightlight that was easy to turn on and bright enough to let me see my baby without being so bright or blue/white that it would wake me up. I found this portable, rechargeable, touch-on nightlight with warm light and color options, too. It’s so easy to turn on – you just put your finger on top for a couple seconds – and the light is just the right brightness and warmth. I’m so into it. 

Sophie Giraffe Teether

You need a new Sophie. Your old one has black mold on the inside. Just get a new Sophie, mama. Get a new Sophie.

Smart Thermometer

We have the strangest array of thermometers at our house: an infrared that does not work, a strip forehead thermometer that does not work, and a regular digital thermometer that I have to stick up baby’s butt which is only for the really dire moments. You feel me?

This time I’m opting for a smart thermometer (That’s still less than 20 bucks!) that allows me to track (AKA actually remember) temperatures and monitor the situation at hand. Registry for second baby must-have. So worth it.

TV Subscriptions

You need Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Period. 

Postpartum Tanks and Leggings

Lastly, my registry for second baby includes a few things for me! I invested in postpartum support tanks and leggings this go-round. Last time, I had a postpartum girdle, but found it way too uncomfortable to want to wear when I was freshly postpartum. Since then, the technology with postpartum support has skyrocketed, so I picked up a couple Blanqi postpartum support tops, and I’m ordering their postpartum leggings when they come back out, too. I wear my Blanqi pregnancy support top almost daily!

Embrace the mom life: do tanks and leggings instead of stiff girdles this postpartum period!

Postpartum Extras

Speaking of the postpartum period, you’re going to want to stock up on Dermoplast, Tuck’s wipes, and adult diapers ahead of time, don’t you think? Reality, mama. Reality solidarity.