How far apart to have kids?

Question

My husband and I have a (almost) three-month old little girl and want to have (ideally) three kids total - no more than three years apart. Our daughter has been (knock on wood) a very easy baby and we are thinking down the road... should we start for number 2 or wait? Any suggestions or advice from your own experience?

I am a stay-at-home mom who plans on not working outside the home until the youngest is in school.

Answer 1

That would really be up to you. I am also a SAHM and my 2 youngest kids are a year apart, and the fact that I have very easy kids helps. I dont really think we can make that decision for you, some say its easy (like me) and some say not to.....its all about how you feel!!

Answer 2

I have three kids, ages 5, 3, and 11 months. If I were you I would wait a few more months, mainly so that you can more fully enjoy your little girl being a baby. My oldest was a very easy baby, but our second baby was a different story. As was the third.
I too, am a stay-at-home mom, and the second child more than doubled the work load for me. I am glad our kids are close in age, I think they will be closer as they grow up. But it is a ton of work!
I say enjoy having one while you can! That first year goes by so FAST! And you never get those baby days back! Once you add another child or two things NEVER slow down. Let your first child have you and dad all to herself for a while, and start trying around her first birthday. :)

Answer 3

There is no right answer to this question.....it really depends on your own preferences and your family circumstances. My sister's kids are all around a year apart, and now that they are older they love being so close in age. But it was very hard when they were little. My own three children are over five years apart, and I love it because they all have their "own" things, and there's no rivalry between them. Also, the oldest is very helpful with the youngest. They are still very close and loving with each other, too. Whatever works for your family is fine. If you feel it would be fun to have two that are close enough in age to be good friends, then go ahead and get started on number two!

Answer 4

Thats something you will have to just decide. We have 4 little ones, ages 9, 5, 4, and 2. The advantages of having your children close in age is they do a lot of the same things and you can, for example, have their nap times together, etc... But the disadvantages are of course, having 2 babies of different ages and abilities. A 1 year old is much different than a newborn, but the 1 year old is still a baby and its a lot more exhausting. Our 5 and 4 year old are attached most of the day, because they are both girls and love playing the same things. But when our 5 year old starts K this year, I think our 4 year old is going to have an adjustment to make, as her only other playmate will be her 2 year old brother! Our 9 year old is definitely the mothering type and sort of just goes and plays with all of them. So, I would just say, whatever you feel comfortable with. Either way, babies are such a blessing! Just remember too- just because your 1st one is an easy baby does not mean she will be an easy toddler, and the same goes for all your other future little ones! They may be hard as babies but easy as toddlers!

Answer 5

I think most doctors will suggest about every 2 years. This gives your body a change to recover. This also a great time to introduce the potty training, this may help you so that when the new baby comes your not going to be changing two children. By the time the second, third ... etc is born the child will be almost 3.

Mine were 5 years apart, and things change in that time. That's just to far apart to have children!

Answer 6

My preference was 3 years apart, my children are now 23, 26 and 29. This worked out just fine for me because by then the youngest was out of diapers and the next in line was more the willing to help with the new baby. Space your body it doesn't bounce back as quickly each time there after either. God Bless.

Answer 7

If you really think about it...when is it ever the "best" time to have a child??? At one point I had a 3 year old, a 1 year old, and I was pregnant with #3. I have very difficult pregnancies, and this wasn't how we planned! Everything has a way of working out though! My children are 5, 3 and 22 months now and are VERY close. You are really the only one that knows your body and your situation. As long as your kids are getting the attention and love that they need and deserve, have them as close as you think you'd like them!

Answer 8

i'm in the same situation, i have a 4 yr old, and a 4 month old who is a very quiet and easy baby, and was thinking of starting now for the 3rd, but i think it's better to wait at least till they're a year old.:) but that all depends on what you want, because having 2 close together would be very difficult in the beginning, but then probably great. anyway good luck:) as you can see am also confused:)

Answer 9

I have two kids that are exactly 14 months apart and I'm a stay at home mom/full time student and let me tell you it is super hard. My kids are so different from one another my daughter is tougher and my son is the younger one and he's a crybaby. She just turned 2 and he just turned 1. It's hard if I were u I would at least wait until ur daughter is about 1 1/2 years old. Plus, everything for kids is so expensive and then there's 2 diaper changes, diaper bags, its hard trust me.

Answer 10

Doctors say it takes 18 months for woman's body to completely recover from a pregnancy. Getting pregnant to soon after raises your risk of a miscarriage.

My kids are 22 months apart (my son was 13 months when I got preg with my daughter) and get along great and always have. I think 2 or 3 years difference in age is a good difference in age...they are close enough to play together but far enough apart to give parents time to know their children.

Answer 11

Let the stitches heal before you try again. It may seem easy now but later it wont be so cute and easy. think of three games at once which child do you disappoint, 3 recitals, 3 broken hearts or 3 kids in love. it's hard so just wait. or try it with out the epidural and see if you want anymore. >>>>>> But the answer to you Q? is about two to 3years. Personally I would Waite 5 that way you have a little helper and a real big sister or brother. who wants to look up to someone that's only one year and 3 months older than them. you get my drift.