Hi,

I know there is a thread at the moment about how soon is too soon to have another baby and my question is related. For those of you who have more than one little one, what is a good age gap? I'm just interested in people's experiences.

I always planned to wait until my little boy (14 months) was around 3 before having another, but now I'm wondering about trying for another later in the year. I think coming on this forum and following everyones birthing stories etc has made me even more broody!

How do you cope with 2?!!! I can't imagine sitting breast feeding a baby whilst trying to entertain my toddler at the same time! Also when would you be past needing a double buggy?

i got pregnant 10 weeks after having my first but lost the baby. i then got pregnant again when my little girl was 11months i now have 2 under2 but to be honest the baby is no trouble at all and my little girl loves him to bits, i think she is to young to really be jealous. I definatly wanted my kids close together so that once i had them i could then not worry about when to try again, declining fertility etc.

Its really what suits you,I have 5 children theres 2 years between DD1 and DD2 14 months between DD2 and DS1 then 23 months between DS1 and DS2 theres then 11 years between DS2 and Littleboo,I now have 4 from 18-12 and LIttleboo is 20 months, I had many years of double buggies,and yes I did and still do breastfeed.I found things got easier the more I had.

Thanks for your replies. I think it would be nice for the children if I had them closer together. I just don't like the double buggy and 2 in nappies idea! I'm only 26 so I'm not too worried about age related fertility. But I suppose if I would like a couple more it would be something to consider. It's nice to hear that your little girl adores your baby cuddlywhite. I do worry about how my little boy would be with another baby as he's so used to having me to himself all day every day!

On the side of the slightly bigger age gap, I was all for having them nice and close together, but for one reason and another, we will have a 3.5 year age gap when this one is born.
And actually, I am beginning to see some major benefits - cosycub is out of nappies and can take himself to the loo. He can get himself up and down stairs, open doors for himself, put on and take off his coat and shoes; he understands what is going on and gets a real kick (literally, lol) out of the fact that he has a baby brother in Mummy's tummy. In other words, he is quite a capable little human being who won't be relying on me and my husband to do everything for him right alongside another tiny being who can do nothing, which I can imagine can be frustrating all around...yet he is of an age where the difference isn't huge and they should be close enough to enjoy each other's company.

So there are pros for a bit of an age gap as well:)

I had my second when my first was 3 1/2, that age gap was great, she was old enough to understand the baby in mummys tummy bit, and get all excited, she would fetch me nappies ect, and when I was going through the tiredness bit at the beginning of the pregnancy she understood 'mummys tired' and I'd doze on the settee while she would (safely) play with toys. She loved her little brother when he was born (except declaring 'oh mummy I wanted a SISTER' when I let her know the happy news :suspect: )
My third was born when the second was 2 1/2 and its been HARD. Mainly because my little boy is disabled so in many respects is like a newborn - for a looooong time it was like having twins (I bow to anyone who's survived that!!). He would cry for a bottle whilst I was trying to breastfeed his new little sister and neither of them understood one had to wait! Without my eldest, who sadly became a huge help at helping her brother, I'd never have managed. I do want another, but certainly not yet - I don't want 2 in nappies, and I hate double buggies with a passion!

I had 3 years gap between speedy 1 & 2, then 16 months between 2 & 3. Both of those were nice age gaps for different reasons. I got to spend time with my daughter before i had any more. Then when the boys came along, my daughter was secure, no jealousy, and at the age where she loved to "help" mummy with the baby. I found myself being an unexpected single mum 2 weeks after number 3 was born, and my eldest was a fabulous help, although she was only 4. She used to say "i'll feed the baby mum" while i saw to the 16 month old. Consequently, numbers 1 & 3 had a strong bond from the start. I then re-married, and now have 2 more children. When number 4 was born last year, my daughter was 11.5 and the boys were 8 & 7. They are all (especially number 2) fabulous with her (she has just turned a year old last week) There is a year, all but 9 days, between number 4 & number 5, so obviously I have 2 in nappies, 2 who do virtually nothing for themselves, and it's hard work but I'm loving it, and the others are a great help when they're home from school.

I think an ideal age gap is when the eldest has left home:hihi:Seriously coping with them as babies is easy compared to the grown up gap mine are 10 and 15. The youngest can't understand she has to go to bed earlier, can't go out without an adult etc .

I have two girls aged 6 and 5 there is 16 months between them, i also have a baby boy who is now 8 months. I know some people will think thats too big of an age gap but my girls are brilliant with him they help me feed/bath/dress/and change his bum and they will sit hours playing with him.

Well I feel like the odd one out, because I have got a 7year gap between my 2.

I have got a boy11 and girl4. I love the big gap, my son just adores his little sister and he helps a lot in looking after her, helping her with clothes and stuff. My daughter goes to nursery in mornings at same school as my son and they see each other in playground which they both love. Don't get me wrong though sometimes they fight like cat and dog but when they are apart they really miss each other.
We were never planning on a second child but as the years passed and my brother went on to have more kids, my little boy started asking if we were having any more and it got us thinking about it, so along came our daughter and it has been the best descision we have ever made. it is hard with 2 but watching their relationship together grow is amazing.

I have an 18month age gap, and although it was hard at first, we're reaping the rewards now! The boys play together, have similar interests, and are generally very close. I would say that unless you get a little tinker, most people I know found second babies a lot easier & less trouble than first ones. They just sort of fit in, and tag along with all the usual activites like toddler groups etc.