Thank you, 9 to Nest, for sponsoring this post, Top 3 Things to Get a Second Time Mom. I was selected for this opportunity by 9 to Nest; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
One of the things that I love about being pregnant is all the new items out there special for moms! However, as I head to the end of my second pregnancy, there is definitely less that I need this time around. With two littles being so close together, we are adding a second nursery to our home, but repurposing many things from Ollie's room that we no longer need as he is growing up. My maternity wear has changed a bit due to the seasons being different this time around, but there are still many things that are being recycled from pregnancy #1.
I had some friends asked about throwing me a sprinkle the other day and I cannot be more excited, but as I try to gather somethings for a registry, I am struggling. Even with a different gender and a baby born in a different season, there is a whole lot that we just need. At the end of the day, each pregnancy and family is different, but I compiled a list that will not steer you wrong. Here are my top three things that you can buy for a second time mom.
1. Diapers and Wipes
This sounds simple, right? But this is honestly one of the most over looked gift in my opinion. People want to buy blankets, clothes, cute and cuddly stuffed animals; however, what new parents really need at diapers and wipes and lots of them. We were so thankful to have a great supply when Ollie came, and now we will have two in diapers at the same time. Yikes.
There are a lot of great diaper brands out there, but many newborns have tons of skin sensitivity issues. I love some of the organic brands; however, at the end of the day, my go-to for newborns is Pampers Swaddlers. They are great and gentle on babies and by a well-loved and well-known brand name. They are easy to find at the nearest grocery store or Target and they will pretty much always be well accepted by even your more natural moms out there.
Things we really don't need:
- Diaper Rash Cream (We still have a lot of it from Ollie's birth)
- Wipe Warmer
- Diaper Pail (This is questionable per family; we never had one with Ollie either.)
2. Nursing Supplies
As I was going through what I used the most, nursing supplies hit the top of my list. Things like disposable nursing pads for the beginning days of nursing, nipple cream, and breast milk bags are super important because you cannot necessarily reuse or recycle these things from child to child. They just get used up like diapers and wipes would. Other great ideas could include healthy frozen dinners with ingredients that support milk production (and help mommy out after birth), lactation cookies or tea, or a fresh Boppy cover that matches the new baby's room.
3. Monthly Gift Subscription boxes (like 9 to Nest)
I love these monthly subscription boxes for new moms because even though your second time mom may have many of the things that she needs, getting a present in the mail every month showering her with love as she prepares for another addition to the family is such a great time. I don't know about you, but I love getting mail throughout my week. Packages that show up from Amazon are usually just household products for our pantry and I still get excited when the UPS guy rings the door bell.
Monthly subscription boxes is such a hassle-free way of sharing in the excitement of a new arrival with expectant parents regardless if it the first baby or the fourth! When I received my 9 to Nest box this past month, I was so excited to open up the package. Each box is filled with products that are BPA free, PVC free, and phthalate free for our little Lillie's health safety. Our box included a bath time theme with all things so perfect for adding a new girl into our home.
Each baby gift box arrives in a beautifully packed gift box with an entertaining poem that counts down each month until that much anticipated delivery date. The number of gifts in the box corresponds to that of the particular month, and you can send a new mother-to-be multiple gift boxes throughout their pregnancy. For example, if the mother-to-be is 4 months away from delivery, the box will contain 4 items; 3 months away from delivery, the box will contain 3 items. Needless to say, the more months the gifts are sent, the more fun and excitement it will bring to that expectant momma when she receives her numbered box. Also, all fabric items in each box are machine washable making care of the products super easy which is so important for any mom.
I really excited for my gifts inside of my 9 to Nest box this month. They are honestly gifts that I would have probably not added to my registry for my upcoming sprinkle. Lillie would have been the product of a "Second Child" and had blue wash clothes, a monkey hooded towel and a bath time duck that has taken up the job as a police officer. Thankfully, we now have some "girlie" things for her bath time fun and I cannot be more over the moon about it.
9 to Nest is such a great small company to support and you know that I love small shops across the globe. It is a great way to have a gift be more personable and regardless of the individual gifts inside, new moms everywhere would be so happy to receive a present at their door step when they are least expecting it. It is the smile that the porch present gives during a toddler meltdown or when a dinner that has gone array or just a long day of pregnancy.
Here is a little bit more about Jan, owner of 9 to Nest:
How did you get your shop started?
My family was a huge contributor to the start of 9 to Nest. I was never intending for this to become a business when it began. My daughter-in-law, Lindsey, was just pregnant with her first baby. When she and my son announced the exciting news, I knew it was going to seem like an eternity until I laid eyes on my first grandchild. To help pass the time for the little mother-to-be and myself, I decided that I would mail her monthly gifts until the baby’s arrival. The baby gifts were sent with a poem that helped countdown the months until delivery. Baby number two soon followed and she asked if I would again mail the gifts.
With encouragement and help from my family I began to investigate the possibility of an on-line subscription business. The best tool that I found was Cratejoy. Crate joy is a business that helps to build your subscription business, manages billing and has a wonderful support team. I also was lucky enough to have a son-in-law who was able to help me with the website and get me started with Cratejoy.
What is the hardest part of owning a shop?
The most difficult part is being accountable for everything. There is just so much more to owning a business than the mailing of packages. That’s the fun part! Finances, bookkeeping, inventory, marketing, distribution are all ongoing jobs within the business itself. What I thought was going to be a somewhat part time job has become a full time endeavor.
What is one thing unique about you?
I have been an educator most of my life. I taught in our public school system, served on the board of education and owned my own preschool. Teaching preschool for 10 years was one of my most happy times. When grandchildren began joining our family, I wanted a little more freedom to travel and visit them. I am from a small town and knew that I would need something to keep me busy while at home. 9 to Nest provides me that opportunity.
What is the best part of owning a shop?
I am the one and only decision maker and I find that to be very exciting and challenging. Also, meeting new people is always enjoyable for me. Getting to know a customer through email or reconnecting with friends through 9 to Nest has been wonderful. I get excited when I learn of the birth of a 9 to Nest baby!
How did you get your shop name?
There was quite a bit of debate and suggestion from my family over the name. It finally came down to 9 to Nest, which was suggested to me by a friend. 9 to Nest means 9 months of nesting-the theme to the subscription countdown.
What is one way that you keep organized?
I work on 9 to Nest every day. Some days may mean an hour of work while others may have me work most of the day. I just make sure to never leave anything undone.
How do you balance family life and work life?
I always try to stay ahead of the work; therefore, it doesn’t interfere with family time.
