You can read all the books, hear all the advice, talk to all of your mommy friends, but honestly nothing prepares you for the birth of your first child. It is equal parts terrifying, joyous, horrendous, amazing, empowering, shocking, fast, terribly slow, and life changing (literally). The first go around you think you are prepared, and maybe you are, but by the second time you feel like a pro. There are some instances in which all the books and advice in the world can’t take the place of experience.

The second time (or third, fourth, etc.) you are preparing to bring a bundle of joy into the world the ‘mama drama’ is essentially nonexistent, and honestly that’s a relief.

People aren’t bombarding you with advice the second time around. No one seems to care to give their two cents anymore on epidurals, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and all the other can-be-contentious topics. They think that since you’ve done this once already, you’ve got what works for you – and thank goodness for that.

It isn’t about the fancy stuff after the first baby. (Sorry to all children that aren’t the oldest, but it is true.) You know what products and methods work best for your lifestyle and you don’t have 342 things taking up space that you really don’t need.

Read the rest over at Knoxville Moms.