Should I buy a minivan before having a second baby?

Probably not automatically. Buy a minivan before baby #2 only if your current vehicle will be genuinely painful or unsafe with two rear-facing/forward-facing car seats, stroller gear, and daily loading. For many families, a compact/midsize SUV, wagon, or sedan can handle two kids for a while.

A practical rule:

1. Keep your current car if two car seats fit securely, the driver/passenger seats are still comfortable, and you can fit the stroller plus normal errands.
2. Consider buying before the baby arrives if installing two car seats forces the front seats too far forward, you’ll have frequent grandparent/caregiver passengers, you do daycare drop-offs in tight parking lots, or bending/lifting into the car is already annoying.
3. Strongly consider a minivan if you expect a third child soon, regularly carry more than four people, road-trip often, or want sliding doors and a low cargo floor more than SUV styling.
4. Wait if the main reason is “we might need it eventually.” Cars are expensive, and delaying can preserve cash during a period when medical bills, childcare, leave, and baby gear may be uncertain.

My take: if you’re planning two kids total and your current car fits the seats, wait. If you’re likely to have three kids, need caregiver seating, or already dread loading one kid, buying before baby #2 can be worth it—especially so you can install seats, learn the vehicle, and avoid shopping under newborn stress.