Great Gifts for a Second Time Mum
Shopping for gifts for a second time Mum is a little bit different than shopping for a brand new Mama-to-be. If your lovely pregnant friend has already been through the parenting portal, chances are good they own everything they could ever need to care for a little person, and a whole bunch they don’t need too.
So when trying to think of suitable gifts for a second time Mum, you’re going to need to dig deeper, be more creative, and do your research. What’s brand new that they couldn't possibly have purchased last time round? What products don’t last the distance and will be completely knackered by the time Baby #2 is ready to wear, cuddle, chew or ride them? And on the topic of chewing - which items are just downright unhygienic or unsafe to hand down?
Having shopped for many a second-time-round mummy friend myself, I’ve noticed which presents truly surprise and delight – and are actually used - in this situation. So, I’ve done the legwork for you and assembled a list of my favourite gifts for a second time Mum, from the inspiring and high quality brands I represent here at Knee High. From timeless must-haves, to fresh new trends, I’m confident you’ll find the perfect gift idea in the list below!
(Not) Goin’ the Distance…
There are several items of clothing which are too delicate - or cop too much hard wearing - to make it past one infant. Bibs and singlets are usually completely washed and bleached out after a year, while leggings, tracksuit pants or rompers worn during the crawling months tend to be worn through in the knees.
I represent a number of beautiful, Australian-designed baby brands who produce high quality, lovely baby collections, including these essential items. Marquise bibs and undergarments are timeless and sweet in design, while Spanish cult brand Condor produces gorgeous tights and socks to replace those tired hand-me-downs. I love brands like Huxbaby, Milky and Fox & Finch for leggings and pants in fresh new season colours and prints: stock up on sizes 00-1 to cover the crawling months!
That New Shoe Feeling...
As anyone with an ancient yet supremely comfy pair of slippers can attest, our shoes mould to our feet over time. The same applies for toddler footwear. From the moment their pint-sized owners are vertical and moving, toddler tootsies are imprinting their footwear into their little shoes. Combined with wear and tear (especially to soles and fasteners), this effect means that shoes can’t usually be passed on to little brothers and sisters.
So, footwear; in particular toddler shoes which are more essential and expensive, should be purchased new for each child.
We recommend Knee High brands Bobux and Pretty Brave for quality, podiatrist approved footwear. A larger size which can be put away until baby is a little older is a thoughtful and gorgeous gift for new little ones and their parents.
The Latest Must-Haves…
These products will be especially well-received if your expecting friend or rellie had their last bub a few years ago - yes, these are the latest and greatest products to make parents' lives easier!
Roger Armstrong is Australia’s pre-eminent distributor of baby goods, and they do a fabulous line in up-to-the-minute nursery furniture and gadgets. Many of the clever innovations they stock weren’t readily available when I had my son, such as the side-sleeper cot, the high tech baby monitors with crystal clear video display, and the electronic ‘shusher’, which is rightfully subtitled ‘The Sleep Miracle’.
There have also been innovations in sleeping sacks and swaddles, from the once ubiquitous BabyGro to a whole world of pouches and systems such as those created by Knee High brand, The Baby Studio.
I hope these ideas have helped make thoughtful gifting a cinch next time you’re shopping for a special mama-to-be who already has one or more little treasures at home. It often seems to be the case that subsequent pregnancies are celebrated less than the first time round, but each is equally as special and presents a great opportunity to spoil a very deserving recipient.
