A friend was pregnant with her second and asked what she actually needed. I answered at 3am because that's when the real advice comes out. Here's everything I told her (and a few things I've thought of since).
The truth about going from one to two is that it's less about buying new stuff and more about rethinking the stuff you already have. Your setup that worked great for one kid is about to get stress-tested by a second kid on a completely different schedule. Some of it holds up. Some of it doesn't.
Strollers: Two Singles Beat a Double
We had a double stroller. We also had two YOYO strollers. The YOYO won every time.
When your kids are on wildly different schedules (one naps, one doesn't; one walks, one can't), an attached double is less useful than two maneuverable singles. We took both kids to Disney with the two YOYOs and it was perfect. I even took them both solo through half of California Adventure. It wasn't pretty, but it was possible. You can also buy third-party connectors to link them side by side (we bought one, never tried it).
The YOYO folds one-handed and fits in an overhead bin. That matters more with two kids than it did with one.
And if you don't already have one: the Doona. Still huge. Still our most-recommended piece of baby gear.
Sleep Gets Complicated
You already know the Snoo. Rent it again.
The new wrinkle with two kids is bedtime logistics. If your kids have different bedtimes (they will), you need a way to put one down without the other one being in the same room. A Slumberpod is a blackout tent that fits over a pack 'n play. Huge for travel, but also useful at home if rooms are close together or you're doing temporary sleep arrangements while everyone adjusts.
A travel sound machine that isn't your Hatch is worth having. You'll want one you can throw in a bag without dismantling the nursery setup. We like having a dedicated travel one so the home machine never moves.
And think through your cosleeping plan before the baby arrives. What happens if both kids need to sleep with you? What if baby is asleep in your bed and you need to run out of the room for a minute? Consider a camera for your bedroom (or repurpose a travel cam) so you can check without opening the door.
Monitoring: The WiFi Problem
If you're getting a Nanit (you should), know that WiFi-based monitors struggle with hotel networks. The ones that make you confirm your room number in a browser? The Nanit can't do that. We've traveled with a mobile hotspot for exactly this reason. Connect the Nanit to the hotspot and it works fine everywhere.
For a dedicated travel backup, we like the Eufy video monitor. It's its own closed system, no WiFi required. Worth having for hotels, grandparents' houses, or anywhere the WiFi situation is uncertain.
Feeding (Round Two)
The Pumpables pump: still our pick. (Use code HAVEYOUTRIEDKIN for 10% off.)
If you didn't have a Baby Brezza for your first, get one now. Seriously. Skip the WiFi version (it's not worth the premium). And buy four or five extra funnels so you can swap them out every few bottles instead of washing constantly.
Little Spoon for backup toddler meals has been a game changer. When you're feeding a newborn and the older one is hungry NOW, having something in the fridge that's ready to go in two minutes keeps everyone alive. (Ask Evan for a promo code.)
Also: heads up that new baby may prefer completely different bottles and completely different formula than your first. Don't stock up on what worked last time until you know.
Diaper Bags: You Need More Than One
We already disagree about diaper bags, but the two-kid version of this problem is that their needs are so different you can't stock one bag for both. Swaddle blankets, burp cloths, different diaper sizes. We had multiple bags stocked and ready to go for a while. It's not elegant, but it works.
The Older Kid
Get your older kid a toy baby doll with accessories. Stroller, bottles, the works. Let them "take care of" their own baby while you take care of the real one. It helps.
If they use pacifiers, make sure theirs are visually different from the baby's. You'll want to know whose is whose at a glance. And when it's time to wean the older one, it's easier if theirs look nothing like the baby's.
We also found that giving our older kid their own space made a big difference. Their rooms were right next to each other, so we created a playroom as a separate zone. Somewhere that's theirs, that the baby stuff hasn't taken over. Even a corner counts.
Travel With Two
Hotels: get connecting rooms if you can. Then you can come and go as you please (or at least one of you can). Send someone down to the bar for a roadie and watch a movie. This is the way.
If connecting rooms aren't available, think about your monitoring setup. Hotel doors are loud and depending on the room layout, leaving and coming back can wake everyone up. Monitor reach matters too. Most cameras struggle to reach the lobby or a bar on a different floor.
A Wayb travel car seat is worth looking into once baby is old enough (2 years minimum). Lightest FAA-approved seat on the market.
Daily Life
Laundry service. You will not believe how much laundry two kids generate. We use Happy Nest and it's decent. Whatever service is available in your area, get it. This is not the time to be a hero about laundry.
Car space becomes a premium. Two car seats, a stroller (or two), a diaper bag, and then whatever the toddler has decided is essential that day. Car toys that don't hurt if they get thrown at your head are also good. We went from one SUV to two. This may or may not be your path, but just know that the sedan is about to feel very small.
A Minimono splat mat under the high chair. Disposable, waterproof, saves your floor during baby-led weaning. Also doubles for messy art projects with the older kid. We went through a 30-pack and immediately ordered more.
One More Thing
No Motrin for 6 months. Tylenol is fine. You probably knew this once and forgot because the amnesia about the newborn phase is real. (Thank god.)