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New Mummy Blog: My Second Baby Essentials List

There are a couple of things that our mummy blogger can’t do without as she navigates life with two children under two. Take note, Kate Middleton.

With your first child, you’re inundated with instructions, advice and lists.

The must-have buys for your baby, including that buggy you need a small mortgage to afford and that inevitable purchase you think you can’t do without but that you’ll probably never take out the box.

With your second child, you know what you need and you can live without [Copyright/Yahoo]
With your second child, you know what you need and you can live without [Copyright/Yahoo]

Second time around, you’ve already got all the equipment and paraphernalia you’ll ever need.

You know that as long as you remember to get in some newborn nappies before baby comes along, you’ve got pretty much everything else you’ll need to get started.

You know you’re not going to eat all those snacks it was suggested you take along for labour so you don’t bother buying them.

And you probably still won’t take that thing out its box. But there are things that you’ll find that will make your life infinitely easier with two children.

These are mine.

Friends Who Just Get It
They understand that you’re only half listening when they talk - not because you’re not interested, but because you’re simultaneously keeping an eye on the baby and hoping that the toddler isn’t about to climb up onto the restaurant table to reach for the fork you’ve placed out of her reach.

You need great friends to rely on [Rex]
You need great friends to rely on [Rex]

They understand that sometimes you just need to get out of the house to stay sane, even if it is just to sit on their sofa, and they don’t mind that you’ve brought a fractious baby and a hyperactive toddler with you.

They understand why you’re so very excited on the rare occasion you get to go for a coffee without the kids in tow. Even if it is just Costa.

Most likely they’ll have kids of their own – although this isn’t necessarily the case.

The Internet
The greatest invention of all time for a mother of small children.

For when you realise trailing round a supermarket with two small children is the last thing anyone would want to do. For when you realise you’ve run out of nappies. Or wine.

The Internet is a must-have for any mum [Rex]
The Internet is a must-have for any mum [Rex]

For when your child has a weird rash on her face and you want to find out what it is (be prepared for some gruesome images if you do this though).

For helping you stay awake in the middle of the night when you’re trying to feed the baby and keeping you sane in the day when you want to know you are not alone in this parallel universe world ruled by small children.

Stickers
Once I got over my initial fear of my entire house being covered in tiny replicas of the Gruffalo and Peppa Pig, I wholeheartedly embraced sticker books.

When I’m otherwise engaged in some non-negotiable activity with the baby, like feeding, stickers keep the toddler amused for hours – far longer than any other trick I’ve tried.

Don't question it; children LOVE stickers [Rex]
Don't question it; children LOVE stickers [Rex]

Except maybe letting her loose on my smartphone (this happened once, and I spent a long time afterwards unliking status updates about Kaley Cuoco and BMWs that she had selected at random).

Okay, so I’ve spent a bit of time peeling them off the coffee table and from the bottom of my shoes, but it’s a small price to pay.

A Sling Or Baby Carrier
A Baby Bjorn. An Ergo. A BabaSling. Take your pick, it doesn’t matter which – slings and carriers are a win/win situation.

Gwen Stefani is just one celebrity mum who's a fan of baby carriers [Rex]
Gwen Stefani is just one celebrity mum who's a fan of baby carriers [Rex]

The baby is strapped to your chest, all warm and happy to be hearing your heartbeat. Meanwhile your hands are free and your manoeuvrability although somewhat compromised is considerably more than when you are holding the baby in your arms.

This means you can deal with the toddler trying to drag you by the leg to where she wants to go an awful lot more effectively.

A Partner In Crime
There’s one thing that trumps all of the above. And that’s a hands-on husband.

Pretty soon, Kate and Wills will have a second child to juggle, but we reckon they'll be just fine [PA]
Pretty soon, Kate and Wills will have a second child to juggle, but we reckon they'll be just fine [PA]

With two children, you’re constantly being made aware of the fact you only have two hands, versus their total of four. Life is made infinitely more manageable with someone else on your team.

Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comments below.

[Heavily Pregnant Duchess Of Cambridge Makes Last Public Appearance In Hot Pink Coat]