Hi, I have a question for you guys. I have a beautiful 5 month old son, and I just adore everything about him and about being a mom. I can't wait to have more kids, but I was wondering, how close do you think they should be? Does anyone have any brothers or sisters who are really close in age? See, I have 2 brothers; one is 6 years younger than me and the other is 15 years younger, so I don't know what it's like to have siblings that are close in age. Is it better or does it suck? My husband thinks that we should wait until Jake is 3, but I kind of wanted another baby sooner than that, like maybe we could try again in a year. Any opinions on this? Thanks! By the way, here's a picture of my son Jacob when he was almost 3 months old: (I don't have a digital camera so I don't have any recent pics to post here)
Hi there! My kids are almost 2 years (20 months, to be exact) apart; when i was pregnant with Willow, i thought it was too soon; i had all of these wild "what-if's" going on in my head; how could i keep track of two young children? i could barely keep up with Ryvre! But it was so much easier than i expected; in fact, it was easier than having 1, because i had some experience this time! Two years seems, to me, like a good amount of space; they are far enough apart that they are interested in some different things, but close enough that they like to play together. Sometimes it makes me crazy, because they do fight more than i'd like (my 3-year-old just hit my 1-year-old on the head as i typed that) but i think that happens with any spacing. One cool thing that i want to mention is that when i was pregnant with Willow, Ryvre was just old enough to understand that there was a baby in mommy's belly. i will never forget the moment he realized it; we were sitting on the couch, looking at one of those baby magazines, and there was an article that showed pictures of several pregnant women, and on the next page, those same women with their newborns. He jumped up and said "Oh! A bebe, a bebe in mommy's belly!" He was so excited!
I had my daughter when my son was 3 and that was a good space in age IMO. But then I got pregnant with my 2nd daughter when my other daughter was only 6 months. They are 15 months apart and they are TERRIBLE!, They fight constantly there is a lot of sibling rivalry there already. They both compete to be the baby. Briana my 2yr old wasnt finished being a baby when my youngest was born. I also found my pregnancy to be harder physically having been so close to the other one.
I agree with Michelle. No closer than 20 to 24 months. I think you need to let the first one be a BABY for a while, as well as let your body get used to not being pregnant. Plus, if you are breastfeeding, your milk may dry up in your second trimester, and if your baby will be under a year or so, you want to be able to at least nurse for a year. IF you are BF, you probaby aren't menstruating yet, but don't take any chances. Wait at least 2 years between kids. My first two are 26 months apart, then almost 4 years for my next one, and then the baby was 7 years later.....
I sometimes feel bad for my two little boys being so close in age (I got pregnant again when Croix was 4 months old). They both want to be mommy's baby and both want mommy when the other has me. lol They are coping and they love each other very much but they fight alot. A couple year, 3 years sounds resonable to me too! Mine are about to be one and two and both acting two... definatley space them out!
My daughters are 4 yrs apart. Maddie is 5 1/2, and Virginia is 19 months. It's pretty good for us, Maddie was at the perfect ager when Virginia was born, always wanting to help, and hold the baby (well, maybe too much!). She was old enough not to feel too much jealousy, but of course she was a little, but she adjusted very quickly. Now, Virginia wants to be a big girl like her sister! Now that Virginia is able to play more and interact more, it's nice to let them play together without having to be on top of the baby every second. I agree that @ 2 yrs should be the IDEAL minimum age difference. Anything closer denies baby #1 of baby-time...just like Erin said, they will fight over mommy more.
Thank you all so much for the advice! I think that I will listen to you and wait a couple of years before the next baby. I really appreciate you sharing your stories with me!
