One of the best things about having a second baby is that you have so much of the baby ‘stuff’ already! A cot, a pushchair, car seats - even things you know you won’t really need, like a baby bath, or a top-and-tail-bowl (seriously, I have no idea why we have this!). But there are also things that we didn’t have the first time around, or that didn’t exist then, that I’d really like to use this time - armed with a little bit more knowledge of what we’re likely to use.

Snuzpod

I only came across the Snuzpod after Max had moved into his big cot, but thought it was such a wonderful idea. It’s a 3-in-1 bedside crib, where you can detach the top section to move it around the house in the same way as a moses basket. But the real appeal for me is the co-sleeping aspect of it. We had a traditional moses basket for Max, which he hated. As soon as you’d put him down in it, he’d start crying, and I remember googling ‘baby won’t sleep in moses basket’ and finding so many frustrated new parents out there with similar problems. All Max wanted was to be close to us. To feel our warmth and have that comfort.

The Snuzpod can be securely attached to the side of your bed, so that you can sleep side by side with your baby, without the risks that come with co-sleeping. As I’m intending to breastfeed again, the fact that you don’t need to get out of bed to feed your baby comes as a huge bonus too - with any luck we’ll crack the ‘lying down’ feeding position early on!

Sleepyhead Deluxe

One tip that we came across in our late night ‘baby won’t sleep in moses basket’ google sessions was to roll up towels around the edge of the basket and then put the sheet on top, creating a little cocoon for the baby. This was also a tip from the midwife, and did help Max to settle. The Sleepyhead Deluxe does exactly the same job, but will be far cosier and more comfy. I know this is a product that has worked really well for lots of friends, so I’d really like to give it a go.

Pacapod

I have to admit that I didn’t get on with my first changing bag. I was disappointed when it turned up that it wasn’t real leather (it was fairly pricey!), and I think I used it for about two months before moving to a ‘normal handbag, a beautiful tote bag which had lots of sections perfect for storing all of the baby-related paraphernalia that you need to carry around. Sadly the straps on that broke a few months back and my current handbag is just not going to cut it for the amount of nappies / wipes / changes of clothes that a newborn will need.

I love the look of the Pacapod range. They combine a luxury look with all the practicality you could wish for - there is a place for everything. Each bag has two internal pods, an insulated one for feeding and one for changing. There are lots of straps to keep everything perfectly organised and in it’s place. It clips onto your pushchair meaning that your hands can be completely free. But above all, Pacapod understand that a changing bag doesn’t need to look like a changing bag - it can be as beautiful as any other handbag. Just check out the Jasper and the Firenze and tell me that’s not a gorgeous handbag right there.

Bugaboo Buggyboard & New Tailored Fabric

One item that I don’t regret purchasing for a minute is the Bugaboo Cameleon 3. We’ve had great use out of ours and I’m not intending to replace it for baby number two. However, Max isn’t quite ready to ditch the pushchair yet. I’m planning on using a wrap / sling for the baby initially, so I’m hoping I won’t have to oust him immediately, but I’d really like to buy the Bugaboo Comfort Wheeled Board for him to ride on. It has the option of a seat to ride on, or they can stand.

I chose the tailored fabric in Petrol Blue for Max, and admittedly I don’t need to update it, but I’d really love a bit of a change! I love the simplicity of the Grey Melange, but I’m weighing up between that and the Navy Blue.

Grobags

I loved our Grobags the first time around! Max was a small baby, so we had to wait quite a while before he was big enough to fit in one, but once he did we never looked back. I love the pretty patterns and since we never had quite enough for Max, I’m looking forward to splashing out on a few more for our second baby. Have you seen the Orla Kiely collection? It’s absolutely gorgeous!

Is there anything you’d loved to have used but missed out on first time around? Is there a must-have I’ve missed? Do let me know in the comments!