Having a second child is a BIG deal. It’s not just about the new member of the family but the physical, mental and financial changes a new baby brings to the family. It is therefore only safe and crucial that you prepare for this child adequately in all areas.
You can wait for as long as you feel you need before getting another child. Some only wait tow years while others take even 10 years. Don’t be in a rush, take your time and only have a baby when you are ready and comfortable doing so. You will know you are ready because you will feel ready.
The family won’t run on the same budget, set up or the same family setup anymore. Therefore getting ready for a second child will touch on three key aspects; financial, mental, and physical.
Why Prepare for another Child
If you intend to have another child(second or third etc.) you need to be mentally ready to love and care for this child. You need to have finances ready for sustenance. You also need to make physical room for the new addition to the family.
Therefore preparing in these aspects for another child so ensures that
- Your child is well planned for
- Your child is well provided for
- Your child is adequately loved
- You are in a position to physically accommodate the child
Financial Preparation For Another Child
By far, finances are one of the major worries for parents preparing for a second or third child. Parents intending to get another child wonder how much more expensive a second or another child is.
To answer these questions, yes a second or another additional child will add more costs to you. How expensive this is will be determined by individual factors. What is constant is that the pregnancy, delivery, and care for your second child will add to the total amount to your budget.
You may be able to eliminate some costs because you have a first but others you will buy afresh. You will need to freshly buy items just the same way you bought for your first born.
Some of the new things and costs the baby will need include;
- Pre-natal checkups, scans, and gynecology visits.
- Health insurance, delivery and medical expenses
- Baby clothes
- Milk/formula
- Child care
- Diapers and other sanitaries
- Education
- Toys among others.
Therefore getting your finances sorted is one of the things that you need to do in preparation before getting another child. Prepare financially for another baby by doing the following;
- Make a new baby’s budget that factors in the above costs
- Agree with your partner how you shall meet this funds in due course
- Collect and keep the funds ready as you proceed to try for another child
- You may need to save up others funds for some time
Some of the ways or alternatives you can use to lower or cover for costs related to another child include;
- Use your maternity insurance to cover for pre-natal delivery and antenatal care. If you are not on any cover yet, it’s time to get one.
- Look into what supplies you can reuse from your first baby. Yet it is okay to have your second use items used by the first born. Items such as baby clothes, toys and learning materials are very easy to reuse and pass down among your children from first born to second born to third born etc.
Mental/Emotional Preparation For Another Child
Many parents react to the possibilities of having a second baby with a mixture of feelings. Even if the child was planned, you will probably tend to feel happy and excited at one point and guilty and sad at another. Many women have reported mostly feeling scared when they were preparing for their second child.
With the possibility of having another child, many are unsure of how they can love a second child equally when he/she arrives. I remember in my case I was going on an emotional roller coaster from feeling excited to downright guilty. The guilt was the doubt if I can love the second child as equally as our first.
I know most moms fear about this as well. These feelings of fear and doubt are perfectly common. However, these feelings if too much will get into you and affect your health negatively.
To get emotionally prepared for a second baby, you simply need affirmations. Believe me that you will love your child as specially as your first. You will hold your newest arrival in your hands and be filled with the most unconditional love for her/him.
In fact every child you bear, not just the second will command their share of love from you. Clear up the guilt, because your first child will appreciate the new sibling; talk of getting a friend, sibling, and a playmate.
Read: How to Emotionally Prepare for a Second Baby
Getting Physically Ready for Another Child
Just like how you need your finances and emotional health preparation for a second child, you need to make some physical preparation for a second baby too. In preparation you must do the following to be ready for a second or additional child;
- Brace yourself as the pregnancy symptoms may come in faster and stronger
- Practice self-care and self-love. Rest when you need to, avoid stressors
- Eat a well-balanced diet- you will need all the nutrients you can get for the little one to grow
- Get enough sleep- get a minimum of 8 hours
- Exercise too- Yes it’s important in your pregnancy too for health and easier delivery
- Keep off alcohol – take enough water, at least 8 glasses a day
Read: How to De-Clutter Baby Stuff
Things to do at Work in Preparation for Another Child
In addition, you need to prepare at work as well for a second or additional child. Since you are working, you need to make the additional baby announcement to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible. Towards the end of your pregnancy, start making work arrangements by;
- Clearing urgent tasks
- Delegating work,
- Handing over your duties
- Apply for your maternity leave close to your due date. You can apply earlier but this means you will have a shorter maternity leave.
Things to do at Home in Preparation for Another Child
- Make more permanent child care and house help arrangements (if not yet)
- Consider preparing the baby’s room (considering the new member) by painting or decorating
- Check your car seat, get a double stroller too
- Do shopping early- buy things in bulk if possible
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