I have a one year old boy now and am considering having another baby sometime soon (or soon-ish!). Any opinions about how far apart is ideal? Any experience with sibling rivalry/friendship based on spacing?
2007-03-01 07:32:58 · 14 answers · asked by Maggie K 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
This is SOOOO up to you and your spouse. My husband and I have been blessed: we have a 2 1/2 little boy, 15 month old little girl, and are expecting another boy in 3 months. This spacing is working out very well for us. I have friends who have children 3 years apart and friends that have their kids close like me.
The most important thing is that you feel you can be the best mother to your children, however many you have and however far/close they are spaced. A couple just needs to be honest about what they can handle and if you do that, whenever you choose to have your children will be perfect for your family.
Doctors today often suggest giving your body 1 year (12 months) to recuperate before getting pregnant again. Good luck trying - babies are such miracles!
2007-03-01 08:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say now would be the time. By the time the next one is born, your boy will be just shy of two. You don't want them too far apart or else it reduces the chances of them playing together, and having the same interests. Sibling rivalry will always happen, no matter what the spacing is. If I were you, I would go for it if you're ready for number two! Best of luck to you!
2007-03-01 08:01:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From stories from my friends and family (not personal experience) they say a 2-3 year gap is best. Pediatricians recommend the same thing. I have a few friends with a 2-2 1/2 year gap, and they all say its fine, but a little more distance would have been easier. The main concern is the needs of the children - a 2 year old needs more attention than you can give when you have a newborn. A 3 year old can understand why you arent meeting their every need - plus understand the big brother/sister thing and want to help take care of the baby.
2007-03-01 07:48:31 · answer #3 · answered by Erin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3 1/2 years is ideal. As children they are close enough in age to play together, yet the first one will be past developmental milestones, so you can focus better on the youngest one and helping them.
This also will help in school, because the youngest will be far enough behind the oldest one that they won't be expected to be just like their sibling because the teacher remembers them from last year.
It gives the children more sense on indiviuality and independance.
2007-03-01 07:43:42 · answer #4 · answered by justweird_sodeal 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some people will tell you 3-4 years. I believe 18-24 months. I have two older siblings 7yrs, and 3yrs. And two younger siblings 13 months and 3 yrs. I am much closer relationship-wise with my younger brother (13mos.) than with any of my other siblings.
I also have a son and daughter 21 months apart and they get along very well.
2007-03-01 07:42:30 · answer #5 · answered by Crossed Sabers 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My oldest is going to be 10 in April and i have a 4 month old. its hard to say sometimes. I wanted to have my kids close together so they would be friends, and I could get out of that diaper stage and be done forever, but having my older daughter around to help with her baby sister is a joy. Medically, my Dr. said your body should really have a year to recuperate from child birth. and i know people who were pregnant two months after giving birth (ouch)
2007-03-01 07:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by meme142 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest having the first one potty trained before having another. That way he feels like a big boy and can even help out with fetching diapers or burp rags! I guess 3 yrs is a good spaceing.
2007-03-01 08:00:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is good to have kids close together. I have twins and yeah they fight some but more than that are each others playmate and bestfriend. Which I am glad they always have someone to play with as I am not having anymore children anytime soon. So I say go for it, have another baby!
2007-03-01 07:46:10 · answer #8 · answered by Michelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say that 3 years apart is the best, any later than that and it will decrease your chances of getting pregnant as easy as you did before. And any sooner and it will just plain be hard on you and the baby that you now have.
2007-03-01 07:47:44 · answer #9 · answered by sarah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give yourself plenty of time to bounce back and quality time between you and your son.
When my son was 2 we started thinking about when we should have our next child. I wanted to have me babies young so that my body can bounce back and i'll still have the time for my self as they age and have their own friends etc...
With that said i also saw that my son needed a playmate and someone to grow with. So after about 6 months (and our insurance had kicked in :-) we started planning for our next baby.
Now my son is 3 and am due with our little girl April 8th.
Perfect timing for me, my husband and our son.
2007-03-01 07:45:49 · answer #10 · answered by Curious J. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋