Expectant parents get ready for second bundle of joy
Getting ready to welcome their second child, Tina and Michael Krolikowski know a little more about getting the house ready for a baby compared to their first go around.
The couple is using that knowledge to prepare for their second child — a daughter instead of a son this time — on where to get things they need, namely a crib, diapers, bottles and pacifiers.
“I got some items from Target, we got a second bassinet from Mac.Bid, we got a second car seat from there, very inexpensive. Walmart and Amazon are good,” said Tina Krolikowski. “I think we have all the essentials. I am trying to be more open to finding things last-minute.”
The couple had their baby girl in March, and Krolikowski said she felt more prepared compared to the couple’s first child, namely because they had a little better idea of what to expect.
While a crib has been at the top of their priority list, Krolikowski said it could actually wait until the baby is a few months old, because the couple will use a bassinet for their baby to sleep in for the first few months.
“We used bassinet more than the crib for a very long time,” Krolikowski said of her first child. “A lot of the items we expected to use a lot more for the first one we didn’t use quite as much. We registered for a baby swing, and we didn’t use that quite as much as we thought.”
She also said the baby and the couple’s 3-year-old toddler will share a room at first, which is also making the preparations slightly easier.
Krowlikowski also said that even though some parents and moms have “baby sprinkles” to help welcome children after the first initial baby shower, she opted not to have one for this child. She and Michael have held onto many of the items they used for their first child.
“Our decorations are the same, but we actually ended up getting a new crib, a hand-me-down, but it was in better shape than the previous one we owned,” Krolikowski said. “We’re washing all the bed linens and clothing to get ready.”
Even though there is a lot to keep track of physically when it comes to preparing for a baby, Krolikowski commented that it’s all about being ready mentally.
“It’s about being mentally ready, maybe have living space more tidy because we’ll probably have visitors,” Krolikowski said. “I think the first time I had a child I definitely had higher anxiety and prepared earlier and more things.
“This time I’m being more flexible and accepting that things haven't been completed.”
<strong id="strong">Nursery Necessities</strong>
Planning the nursery presents expectant parents with many choices. The checklist below was combined from a variety sources to help parents prepare for baby’s arrival.
√ Car Seat and neck brace
√Crib with mattress and waterproof mattress cover
√Bassinet
√ Night-light
√ Changing table
√ Diapers and wipes
√ Diaper caddy
√ Clothes storage
√ Nursery glider or rocking chair
√ Toy basket
√ Mobile
√ Bottles, formula (if needed)
√ Breast Pump and nursing pillow (if needed)
√ Rocking chair or glider
√ White noise machine
√ Baby monitor
√ Baby bathtub
√ Baby clothes
√ Stroller
