Your firstborn is growing up right before your eyes, so you’re considering to have another baby. Since you already have parenting experience, you probably won’t rely on books to get you through this second pregnancy.
You’ve had baby number one and you know that things are going to be just as great, with the new baby. However, raising a secondborn is undeniably different from raising a firstborn. One of the biggest differences is that this time, you can actually enjoy it. Of course, you won’t be able to devote all your time to your new baby, but you will have the wisdom and experience to laugh at the difficult times and cherish the easy ones. Here are some of the most important differences between raising your firstborn and secondborn:
Pregnancy
First baby: With your first baby, you know exactly what to expect. You can read for hours about pregnancy symptoms, fetal development, and breastfeeding.
Second baby: With the second baby, you’re lucky if you remember to take your prenatal vitamins. Chasing around your toddler leaves little time for thinking about the new life growing inside you.
Baby-proofing
First baby: For your first child, you probably want to baby proof your entire home when your infant couldn’t even roll over yet. You will do everything you could to protect the baby from the dangers of the house.
Second baby: For baby number two, you are a little more relaxed. After witnessing your first kid grow right before your eyes, it is much more easier to enjoy each stage of babyhood this time, without worrying about every little thing.
Food
First baby: You’re spending hours cooking and pureeing organic food for your first baby. All homemade and healthy in special baby food processors and blenders.
Second baby: Stuff from the baby food jar is good enough for baby number two. Also, it is much more convenient.
Clothes
First baby: Shopping for baby clothes for baby number one is fun and exciting. You want one hundred percent organic cotton, the perfect fabric for your baby’s delicate skin.
Second baby: If your second baby is the same gender as the first, you’re reusing almost everything – from clothes to blankets and cloth diapers.
Media exposure
First baby: With your firstborn, you carefully follow the recommendation of pediatricians: children should not be exposed to television before age 2.
Second baby: You don’t let the baby zone out in front of the television, but he may have watched a few TV shows with his big brother, while you were busy making lunch.