Featured Parenting

Newborn Must-Haves for Second Baby

February 5, 2019

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I learned a lot about baby brands the first time around.

We were lucky enough to receive a lot of hand-me-downs from family, but we also put a ton of our own money into trial and error deciding what products we actually needed, which brands were worth the splurge, and which budget-friendly options had better quality than you’d think.

There were several brands I feel like we would have struggled without.

As we embark on round two of parenthood, I’m sharing with you a small handful of my favorite brands to keep in our household that make life easier.

Graco

One brand that excels in our eyes, not only in the infant stages but growing further into toddlerhood, is Graco. As a colicky baby, their Soothing System Glider instantly made Fox more comfortable and allowed us significantly more sleep than without. Fox also came home from the hospital in a Graco travel system and when it came time to buy a toddler stroller we test drove about a dozen at Target and were surprised to land on one of the more affordable options — you guessed it, another Graco item. After a couple years and many trips on airplanes, various terrains, and dozens of Disneyland trips, it came time to replace that stroller and we bought the very same one!

Top picks

DockATot

Although I didn’t discover DockATot until Fox was a bit older, I now know that this is one of those items that proves immensely helpful for little ones and parents alike. Fox took his naps beside me as I worked from home after he was born. Having to go back and forth to his room was, quite frankly, a pain in the butt, and I constantly wished I had a safe spot for him to lay in directly beside me. I worked better knowing he was right there under my watchful eye.

As a toddler, Fox has graduated to a DockATot Grand which he still naps and lounges in, and we’ve already gotten the smaller-sized DockATot Deluxe (which Fox is already keeping warm for his baby brother).

Top picks

Loulou Lollipop

I was not prepared with cute little items like teethers, pacifier clips, and loveys. I also didn’t realize how crucial swaddles are in the first several months. Find a cute shop you love and go to town filling a cart with your favorites! Buying quality goods straight out the gate ensures they’ll last throughout the early stages of life without having to be replaced all the time. They’ll also be beautiful keepsakes for the baby box. Whimsical baby items are something Loulou Lollipop does best!

Top picks

Solly Baby

It’s all about the fabric! You want soft feels that won’t scratch or irritate baby and you’ll find swaddles stay put better when the quality is top notch. I have yet to find another company that makes softer baby goods than Solly Baby, whose assortment of layettes, wraps, and swaddles are staples in my baby bag. Plus, the designs are stunning and grown up, making it easy to wear with your current wardrobe.

Top picks

What is are some of your favorite baby brands?

Sarabeth, The February Fox

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11 Comments

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  • Reply Daniel William April 16, 2026 at 4:33 am

    Great list—brands like Graco, fun games and DockATot really do make parenting a lot easier!

  • Reply scriptureside June 2, 2026 at 10:23 am

    As a fellow parent who also learned through trial and error with a first baby, I really appreciated your honest take on which brands actually hold up for round two. The Graco travel system and DockATot were game-changers for us too—it’s amazing how the right gear can make those early months more manageable. Thanks for sharing such practical, real-world insights!

  • Reply pic2videoai June 3, 2026 at 6:39 am

    Great post! As a parent of two, I really appreciate your honest take on brands that truly stand the test of time—Graco’s durability is something I’ve also found invaluable. It’s fascinating how much we learn from trial and error with the first baby, and your recommendations make me think about how AI tools like an AI Image to Video Generator could help parents create quick, personalized memory reels from all those newborn moments. Thanks for sharing your insights!

  • Reply matchfactoryguide June 3, 2026 at 8:31 am

    As a parent who’s also into match factory game guides, I really appreciated your thoughtful breakdown of Graco products—especially how the Soothing System Glider helped with a colicky baby. It’s refreshing to see practical, tried-and-tested recommendations like the Modes2Grow Stroller that hold up through travel and daily use.

  • Reply www.hytale-wiki June 3, 2026 at 10:02 pm

    Great read! As a fellow parent navigating round two, I completely agree that Graco’s versatility from infancy through toddlerhood is a game-changer — their strollers really hold up well over time. Also, the DockATot was a lifesaver for us during those early months of working from home with a newborn.

  • Reply scriptureside June 4, 2026 at 1:09 am

    As a fellow parent navigating round two, I really appreciate how you highlighted the value of sticking with tried-and-true brands like Graco—it’s such a relief when you find gear that actually holds up through toddlerhood and travel. I’ve also found that having a reliable “companion” for those quiet, prayerful moments between feedings can be just as essential as the right stroller; it’s amazing how a little spiritual grounding can simplify the chaos. Thanks for sharing these honest, practical picks!

  • Reply catnamesai June 4, 2026 at 10:13 pm

    As a fellow parent who also relied heavily on Graco for both kids, I couldn’t agree more with your picks—especially the Sense2Soothe swing, which was a lifesaver during those colicky nights. And what a fun coincidence to see “cat names generator” mentioned here; I actually used one to name our little one’s nursery theme! Thanks for sharing such practical, tried-and-true recommendations for round two.

  • Reply catnamesai June 4, 2026 at 11:31 pm

    As a mom of two, I totally agree that Graco holds up so well from newborn through toddler years—we’ve had the same experience with their strollers and car seats. Your tip about the DockATot for naps is exactly what I wish I’d known sooner for my second baby!

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