Preparing for a second baby feels very different from the first time – more grounded, more practical, and more intuitive. With everything I’ve learned from my first birth and postpartum experience, I’m approaching this season with clarity, calm, and just enough structure to feel supported. Here’s how I’m preparing for baby #2 – and what I’m doing differently this time.
If you’re a first time parent: stick around, I think you can learn a thing or two from the mistakes I made the first time around!
I will link some of my favorite items using mostly affiliate links, meaning if you choose to buy them, I make a small cut which helps me a ton. However, always try to buy second hand or borrow before you buy new!
Home Setup: Less Stuff, More Function
We’re not doing a nursery this time. Our first baby barely spent any time in hers and we don’t have the space – instead, we’ve set up a changing station in the bedroom with a new chest of drawers and our old changing basket. This time around, convenience and practicality win:
- An automatic thermos for warm water at the changing station (the old one barely pumped!)
- Almond oil in a pump bottle for easy diaper-time use
- More washable cloths, wipes only for outings. I just cut rags our of organic cotton fleece. It’s super soft and doesn’t fray, so no need to sew anything!
- A second Tripp Trapp with newborn seat
- No bassinet or fancy baby lounger – just a full-size crib (120x60cm) next to our bed
We’re keeping it minimal and making only the changes that actually make our lives easier.
Body & Mind: Self-Care and Mental Prep Over Strict Rules
This pregnancy I’ve skipped a lot of the “shoulds” and focused instead on what truly supports me physically and mentally. Some things I’m doing:
- A final pre-birth manicure with Maniko gel wraps (Use code MITZI10-FXS for 10% off)
- A prenatal massage at Buhala Spa, my favorite spa in Vienna. They have a special massage table with a hole for your belly! That alone is worth a visit. Click the link for 15€ off your first booking!
- A pregnancy photo session with my favorite photographer Heroines & Muses. She’s done portraits of me in my first pregnancy, when my daughter was one and now in my second pregnancy. I cherish these photos so much, they are such wonderful family keepsakes.
- Lash lift and tint – gives me a natural light make-up look without actually having to put on make-up
- Belly dancing course instead of yoga – it just feels better for my body.
- Gentle Birth App instead of a full hypnobirthing course (I took one with baby #1 already)
- A moodboard with affirmations and images on our bathroom wall, because that’s where I actually get to look at it.
I’m also following a relaxed version of the Louwen Diet, which supports stable blood sugar and better labor outcomes. I’m not overly strict about it – I know my body and my values well enough to adapt.
I just focus on whole food plant based meals and cut out sugar and simple carbs. A lot of blogs are very strict and say you can’t have any sweetener or even carrots because they have too much sugar. I actually got a glucose monitor to test how my body responds and my blood sugar is actually very stable and rarely spikes, even if I’m not perfect about this diet. So I allow myself the occasional french fry, ice cream or piece of cake. I just make sure I had a balanced meal with lots of good carbs and fiber and plant protein before dessert, so it doesn’t spike my blood sugar all too much.
And here’s what I’m not doing this time:
- No dates (or only a few). I’m sure you’ve heard about the 6 dates a day rule in late pregnancy. I did that with my first and then I couldn’t see dates for over a year.
- No red raspberry leaf tea (I have hEDS and the risk/benefit ratio doesn’t feel right)
- No acupuncture, perineal massage, or hay flower steam baths – they just weren’t for me
- No second birth prep course (we did one for second-time parents as a couple – nice, but not essential)
Postpartum Planning: Nourishment and Comfort First
The first weeks after birth are sacred and I had a wonderful post-partum period the first time around. This time, I’m going in even better prepared, because with a toddler at home, we might not have the time or energy we did the first time – not with a perfect plan, but with solid basics:
- I’m batch-cooking and freezing postpartum meals. I focused on hearty, nourishing, warm meals with lots of protein and iron. I made:
- Persian Fesendjan (Walnut and pomegrenate stew – I make my own version with added lentils)
- Chili sin carne
- Shepherds Pie
- Vegetable Tajine
- Lentil Lasagne
- Moussaka
- Ethiopian Misir and Shiro Wot and Cabbage and Potatoes
- I’ve ordered nourishing, ready-to-eat food boxes from Women’s Nature
- Switched to fragrance-free postpartum care products (deodorant, shower gel, etc.)
- Made my own “padsicles” for healing: just add Aloe Gel and After Birth Spray to a maternity pad and freeze. Make sure the products you use are very gentle and don’t contain a lot of alcohol and essential oils or fragrance that could potentially irritate your sensitive skin. I’ve linked my favorite products.
- Bought comfy mesh undies (they’re marketed as single use, but you can absolutely wash them!) and maternity pads in advance
Preparing Our Toddler: Big Sister Mode
Helping our two-year-old transition into her new role has been a big focus.
- She did a sibling prep course (which she loved!). She learned how to hold a baby, how labor works, we got matching glow in the dark bracelets, so she knows we’re connected even though I’m at the hospital, and she got to make a little mobile for her baby sibling.
- We’ve read lots of books about babies and becoming a big sister. Here are our favorites (in German, as that’s our first language):
- Baby ist da: realistic and not romanticized!
- Wir sind jetzt vier: A classic
- Jetzt ist unser kleines Baby da: Similar to Wir sind jetzt vier
- Erbsenklein Melonengroß: Includes an explanation on how baby got into the belly
- Runas Geburt: Realistic depiction of home birth
- Books we have read to prepare for the new family dynamic (again in German):
- We got potty training behind us early enough before the arrival of baby no. 2 now so we’re not handling diapers x2 and don’t have to deal with potty training on top of having a baby.
We used the method in this book (unfortunately I could only find it in German) and it worked like a charm! - She knows someone else will come to stay with her or pick her up when labor starts.
- We packed a “go bag” for her with PJs, books, clothes and her favorite stuffed toy, so she’s ready to go and stay at my sister’s place once we have to go to the hospital
At the sibling course, she learned that babies love the color red because that’s what they saw in the womb. So of course we bought her a red dress to wear when she meets the baby. She also wants to wear her red raincoat 😄
Relationship Prep: Small Moments Matter
A few weeks ago we had a short baby moon at a vegan-friendly spa hotel to relax and spend some time as a couple.
We carved out time for a last fancy dinner date before birth. We’re total foodies and love fine dining and who knows when we can go out just the two of us. I’ve learned to make space for these little anchors before things get wild.
Plus we do a few partner exercises to prepare for birth every other night. Just practicing some assisted birth positions, rebozo, sacral massage, counter pressure, etc.
Baby Gear: Just the Essentials
Since we still have most of our baby gear from the first time, we didn’t need to buy much.
The one new thing I’m excited about is our Hoppediz Primeo carrier – it’s way more newborn-friendly than what we used last time. I also want to nurse in the carrier earlier, which didn’t work well in the stretchy wrap. However, I’m a baby-wearing veteran and I’ve tried 10+ carriers with my first and know what works for me and what to look for in a carrier. The best route to go is to get a stretchy wrap carrier for the first few days or weeks and then meet with a baby wearing consultant to find the best match for you and learn the ropes!
Other than that, we’re keeping it simple. We have everything we need from our first and babies really don’t need much in the first weeks. A place to sleep, something to wear and lots of love and milk.
We got so many baby items and clothes from friends and family and the few things we were missing we got second hand. I barely buy any kids items new, there’s so much already out there.
Hospital Bag: Upgraded and Edited
I learned a lot about what I actually needed during labor and what just took up space. This time:
- I’m bringing a rolling suitcase instead of a weekender (so much easier to move!)
- A proper labor TENS machine (with a boost button – last time mine didn’t have one). Check with your midwife or doula, some of them offer them for rent, so you don’t need to buy your own.
- Acupressure balls instead of the labor comb
- Baby sleeping bag instead of swaddles – safer and easier
- Gaviscon liquid (heartburn hit hard during labor)
- Rebozo cloth for comfort and positioning (ours is actually a hammam towel. really any sturdy and long type of cloth works!)
- Electrolyte powder to mix for extra hydration
- A labor gown that I will keep wearing at home as a nursing-friendly night gown
Preparing for the birth of my second baby has been less about buying and more about being: being present, being supported, and being intentional about how I want this next chapter to feel. There’s no perfect way to prepare – only what feels right for you and your family.
If you’re also getting ready to welcome a new little one (whether it’s your first or your fourth), I hope this gave you some inspiration and reassurance.
👉 Download my free checklist – including hospital bag must-haves, postpartum prep, and sibling go-bag!
What helped you most in preparing for a new baby? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments – or come say hi on Instagram!
