Large gift for number two

We just did the big think first time round. They don't need so much for the second and we don't know how many we may have eventually so didn't want to create a precedent.

Five years is quite a gap so there might be something that you daughter would like that wasn't around when the first baby was born. Most parents pass on large items from baby to baby but it's nice to have something new and up to date and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.

Congratulations, overthehill! We found that there were plenty of expensive items no 2 etc needed, later on. Buggies, car seats, cots for example.

I would stick to nice new clothes for the baby. So he/she doesn't have just hand-me-downs.

Speaking as a second DD I am in two minds about this as I seemed to spend my entire childhood with my sister's castoffs, from bikes to party frocks. As a mum, I resented that MY 2nd DD got hardly any cards or gifts compared to the first. Surely number two deserves some new things - a new cot matress for one thing. We bought a small new cot and bedding for our DGD as her big brother was still using the cot bed we had bought for him. We also topped up her bank account because far fewer friends and relatives sent money for No.2.

I agree with Granny23. Treat each one the same. Just be thankful it wasn't two sets of twins! My, those pram systems are expensive, but lovely to push around when it's your turn to be out and about with precious cargo

In the first year, items like the Jumperoo, playpen, travel cot, car seat, changing station are all very useful if they don't already have them....or even a year's supply of nappies.

Have you asked your daughter what she would like? If she is happy to use what she already has that's fine but some might like new after 5 years.

I don't subscribe to the theory of treating them both the same as the first present wasn't really for the baby to appreciate it was more for the parents. I do agree that when they are old enough to notice you should be conscious not to favour one over another but neither of them will care about a travel system.

Travel systems are for the benefit of the parents (and dare I say, grandparents) Moved. Babies aren't aware of anything being new or handed down at that age.

The presents my grandchildren appreciated as babies were things like blankies, rag dolls and soft toys.

Mum is aware of it though.

When and aren't they complicated? I was asked for my opinion on which one to buy and when I started looking I soon gave up and said just tell me which one you want and I'll get it!

Yes, Moved you need a training course to fathom them out!

And a big bank account to pay for them! Talk about the Rolls Royce version!

And a big boot if you're taking it anywhere by car!

And they are like tanks to push. No pram pushing enjoyment whatsoever.

Loved the prams on Call the Midwife

movedalot DD still got hers in the loft at her house its coming down for the little man she has just fostered.

Glam

Perhaps something that you have made yourself.....that adds a value that is not monetary.

I'd just ask what they're short of or if there's anything they would like.

We bought buggy and car seat for first GC. By the time second GC was on the way the cot had self destructed so I offered to buy a new one. DS and DIL said a friend was giving them a second hand cot so no thanks. I told them they must really have a new mattress and I would buy that, well the cot was not a standard size and the mattress and a spare cover cost me more than a new cot in Mothercare and the previous cot linen didn't fit either.

Pushchairs now can cost four times the cost of my first car!!

No GA not something a simple as a push chair these days - a travel system is the only thing! [grin}

My new(ish) car costs more than 3 x my first mortgage!

Perhaps open a Junior ISA as this new one will not be eligible for the £250 Trust Fund that the first one had?