Thinking of going from 1 to 2?

Question

We're thinking of trying for another child. We have a 2.5 year old right now. For those of you who had one around that age, and then had another, what were the pitfalls, and blessings???

What do you wish you knew before you got pregnant?
What do you wish you knew before you had your 2nd??

What else would you like to have known????

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

I have three, and 6, 4, and almost 5 months. I think the spacing you are considering (your oldest would be 3+ when the second baby comes) is ideal! By that time, the older child will be able to entertain himself (herself?) for periods of time, and will be able to help you with some of the baby chores (and will probably WANT to help).

I do think it's important to continue to give one on one time to the older children; it's easy for them to feel overlooked with a new baby, but if you involved them and let them know how important they are, it helps a lot.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The greatest thing about us getting pregnant a year ago with our second child is that we already went through a lot of the trials and tribulations with our first (then 1.5). The late nights, the illnesses, the feedings, everything was that much easier. Even the delivery was easier (4 hours labor compared to 36). You soon realize that having one child is not as hard as it may have seemed. Also, having two kids is great because now that our son is 1, watching him play with his 2.5 year old sister is absolutely wonderful. Yea there is already sibling rivalry, but you can already see the brother-sister bond, and let me tell, it's something else!

Good luck, have fun, and sit back and enjoy the ride!

Answer 3

My daughter will be 6 in September and my son just turned 3 in June. I planned for this age gap, and wouldn't have had it any other way. Some people have children a year or less apart and I don't think its fair to the first child. That is their time with their parents. My son and daughter are close enough in age to play together but yet my daughter was old enough to help me with my son. She helped bathe him and change him, even fed him. It is also true that personalities in babies are so different. My daughter never cried was always a pleasant and loving baby. My son always cried, has a bad temper and it just seems everything I am going through with him I never had to with her. She never had a terrible two faze but yet I am still experiencing it with him. LOL The only pitfall for me was just when my daughter was using the potty regularly my son was born and that caused a relapse for awhile. There was never any jealousy between my kids because I have one of each and they knew that one was my boy and the other was my girl.

Answer 4

Now is the perfect time for you to have another child. I have four children ages 13-3. I had the first two 22 months apart and they are best friends. I then waited 3.5 years to have my third and she gets along well with the second oldest. My last child was born 4.5 years and everybody just adores him. I think the sooner you have another child the sooner your 2.5 year old will have a built in playmate. The biggest adjustment to a second child is nothing compared to having your first- you already know what you are doing.

Answer 5

i think it's different for each person. I have a 23 month old and a 7 month old they are 15 months apart and are always smiling and playing together, they wake up each morning and start laughing right away, because they are playing peek-a-boo. I agree that more then 3 years makes it hard for them to relate, And anything over 5 years chances are your kids wont be friends until they are both in their 20's they'll get along but not be close (experience my sister and myself are 6 yrs apart) But I enjoy having my kids this close. I was able to breast my daughter for a year and i'll do the same for my son. They are both in diaper and that may be the only tough part but my daughter is potty training now and getting close to being done with it. If you think your ready do it. Personaly and the same for my friends the second time is easier because you already some of the answers.

Answer 6

i have two children who are 18 months apart, and I love it. It's difficult with them being to close in age, but they are best friends. I think your child is at the perfect age for a new baby brother or sister to come along. My kids are now 4 1/2 and 3. but don't wait too long, my sis n law had her second when her first was 5 and now there is a huge gap of age between them and the oldest thinks his little brother is a pest. ages 8 and 3. so I hope that helps you out, and good luck!!

Answer 7

my daughter (second child) was born when my son was 2.5. My son was out of diapers by the time my daughter was about 5 months old. I wish that he would have been potty trained before she was born. Really that was the only hardship of having two small babies. He was able to help alot even though he was only 2.5. My kids are already really close which was very important to me. When she is away from home (with nana) and comes home...she wants him first..

Answer 8

I have 2 boys 3 yrs and 11 months. The one thing I was really worried about was sibling rivarlry and jealousy (it was a problem growing up in my house) To help combat this we got our first son very excited about the new baby by figuring out the sex of the child and naming it right away so that our son saw it as a person. Then I would encourage him to talk, hug and kiss and play with his brother. Also, when I brought him shopping I had him help me pick out something for the new baby (whatever I was looking for for the baby). After our second son was born, I had the older one help mommy by bringing diapers, wipes clothes etc. Now they are very close.

Answer 9

Our kids are almost exactly 3 years apart- their birthdays are 6 days apart! My oldest, a boy, wasn't quite potty trained yet, but he was close. It took him until he was 3 1/2 to be in underpants during the day- so having to buy diapers for 2 was a pain. He was also getting to the age when we no longer needed a diaper bag everywhere we went, but all of a sudden we needed one again- a BIG one for all the new baby stuff! But, he has been excellent with his new sister from day one- he loves her. He even helps with her as much as we let him- he'd like to do more!

Answer 10

I had my 2 sons within a year one month. It's good to have your children close together. My best friend has an 11yr old, a 5 year old and a 3week newborn. She looks stressted out. The older one can help out with the baby, but the 5 year old thinks she's able to do as much as the 11yr old. I'm glad I had mine close together. My oldest is 20, and has given me 2 grandchildren and my youngest 19.