Preparing for a Second Baby – Nursery & Home

A lot has changed since having my first child. I think everyone in the world caught on to the New Mom craze of wanting anything and everything cool for their new arrival. The great thing about this time around is that I already know what to expect. Not only do I know what to expect I’m doing things the Green / Natural / Crunchy way. I was pretty green with JaMonkey but this time around it is about wasting less and reusing.

Unfortunately I won’t be reusing everything because some stuff took a beating so some of it will need to be replaced. Which brings me to my first item.

1. Getting a Crib– With new regulations I can’t just fix our drop side crib to make it work again. They don’t make the parts anymore therefore I’ll be finding a new used crib that a family is no longer using. No need to buy a new crib, plenty of people are trying to sell their old ones!

2.Baby Changing Station– This go around I plan on Cloth Diapering since I’ll be home full time. But I’ll still be using wipes so I’m sure I’ll be stocking the station with  safe wipes like Seventh Generation Baby Wipes. Something that I know is biodegradable or flushable.

3. Replacing Chemicals– I have a collection of products, cleaning, beauty & bathroom, that are just sitting around not being used. To it is time to clean out the cabinets and make sure that their are safer materials in them. Plant based and even homemade cleaners.

4. Baby Proofing– After cleaning those cabinets out I need to make sure that the doors have good locks on them, all the plugs have the covers put back on them and any dangerous corners are covered.

5. Toy Proofing– Something I didn’t have to worry about before was all the small toys that are in the house. My child has a collection of little pieces that are missing a home and probably can be thrown away. I hear Barbies shoes are especially appetizing to little slobber monsters.

6. Deep Cleaning – There is no Suzie Homemaker living here. My house is constantly a mess. I have a sloppy Husband, Preschooler and two dogs. So I do deep cleaning every so often. I’d love to replace the whole carpet but I’m not made of money so invest in a good carpet cleaner. You’d be surprised how nasty your carpet is even in just a week. Getting into the cracks and corners on the bathrooms and kitchen floors with something that is safe for little crawlers.

7. Teaching Your Child Baby Safety– Since we are bridging the gap from only child to having a sibling it’s important to make sure that your child is well aware that the new baby you are bringing home is not a toy and you have to be gentle. Be careful where you walk, don’t lift the baby up without mommy and Daddy there to help. Things that will keep you new baby from a bump on the head.

8. Testing Older Baby Gear– That bouncer that been hiding in your attic not only needs a good cleaning but a good test to make sure everything on it still works properly. All the buckles and bells and whistles.

9. Cleaning Clothes– Whether you are dusting off hand me downs or doing a first wash for the new clothes make sure you are using something safe for baby’s sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic and no harsh chemicals

10. Have Fun– Don’t look at it as housework. You and your little one get down on the floor and look from baby’s perspective it could be a fun game and a great bonding experience to help prepare your child for a new sibling.

Everyone get’s ready for their new bundle of joy differently but these are some of the ways that we are going to try to be Green and Natural this time around. Starting early is the best way to start strong so it doesn’t fall off your priority list when the chaos of having a new baby strikes your family. If you are already in the habit of buying safe cleaners and baby products you won’t forget later on down the road.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.