For mothers with babies close in age

Question

what are the pros and cons? My son is 10 1/2 months old and we thinking about trying again in a few months for baby number two...all thoughts are helpful

*no thumbs down for anyone please*

Answer 1

I have boys who are 12 months apart.  They are now 10 and 9 years old.  It was not what we planned, but it was an absolute blessing and they are the best of friends.  It was - surprisingly - not that much busier and we just did everything together for them - baths, playtime, meals, naps, etc.  They could not be better for one another!  I would not have thought it would have been as fun as it has been and I would not be worried to do it again.

do what feels right for your family and enjoy every minute.

Answer 2

My children are 8, 6, 3 1/4 and 1 1/2. I glad that I had them all close together. I see the different relationships they have with each other. The worst part of it I'm always busy and feel that my older children lose some of the one on one time with me that they need. Another downfall is that I've have at least one child in diapers for the last eight years and still have at least another year of it.  

Answer 3

I am a mother of 2 babies.  My daughter will be 21 months on the 22nd of this month and my son will be 6 months on Wednesday.  They are ALMOST 15 months apart and I LOVE it.  We didn't plan them to be this close it just...well happened but I wouldn't change it for anything.  They are so fun at these ages.  The only kinda rough thing about having them this close together is....its SO hard to make sure you give them both the same amount of attention.  Since my daughter wasn't even 15 months old when my son was born she still depended on me to do just about everything for her and it was a little hard at first.  Eventually we all just kinda fell into a routine and now its a lot easier to make sure they both get what they need when they need it.

I love them this close together though and since my son just turned 6 months I was thinking about having another...but I think I'm gonna wait a bit longer ha ha.

Good Luck and do what you think is right.  If you get pregnant now your kids will be about 19- 20 months apart so it will probably be a bit challenging but  the joy and happiness of having 2 babies around will def out weigh the challenges.  

Answer 4

I have a 6 year old and 5 year old both born in 2002 anyway the only con in my opinion is you don't get to spend as much time with the first 1 as you will with the second. I don't know if you understand what I mean but that is the only way I can say it. the pros even if you have a boy and a girl which that is what I have they still are close. there is always a friend. if you wait to long to have your second there is more jealousy. I would say if you want 2 start now good luck and god bless

Answer 5

I have four kids.  The first two are 17 months apart.  The next two are 23 months apart.  The last two are 14 months apart.  So, the oldest was 4 years and 7 months when the last one was born.  I love that they are close in age.  I will be done with diapers and potty training after a few long years of it, without having to repeat it all.  They will all go through school pretty close together.  Maybe my boys will even be able to play on the same sports teams and such.  My boys are the BEST of friends already.  

I was one of 6 kids.  The spacing between us were: 19 months, 16 months, 22 months, 29 months, and then one long one of 4-1/2 years.  We are all very close.  We went through school together, had lots of the same teachers, sometimes hung out in the same groups of friends in junior high and high school.  Many of us got married around the same time and now have kids the same ages.  

Those are the pros.

Cons:

It's VERY hard having many kids who are all so young at once.  My oldest is 5 and my youngest is 8 months.  I had 4 kids at home from December '07 until just today when my oldest started kindergarten.  I had 3 in diapers at once.  I have had to use port-a-cribs for newborns until they have been anywhere from 5 months to 14 months because an older sibling was still in the big crib.  We often have nights where there are 2-3 kids crying at once.

So it is hard.  But I think the hardest, most annoying thing is when people say things like, "oh, you have your hands full," or "why on earth would you do that to yourself?"  I love having my children close in age.  They will be best friends with each other, and we stress that in our family, that our siblings are our very best friends because friends come and go but family is forever.

Good luck with your decision.  It's a tough one, but I'm sure you'll make the one that's right for you.

Answer 6

My children are 24 months and 4 days apart. We planned for them to be close in age. The cons were mostly in the first few months when I was sleep deprived from being up w/ a newborn all night and then up w/ a toddler all day. It was a nightmare! It seemed like my daughter would want to use the potty just when my son wanted to nurse and so forth.  My husband is in the military, so he really wasn't around to help much. After my son was about 4 months old, I got my children on similar schedules and that made my life much easier. My daughter is now 33 mos and my son is 9 mos, and they have so much fun together. I love to watch them play together and make each other laugh. Despite the early difficulties we encountered, we are happy that we decided to space our children close together.

Answer 7

Well my son is two weeks old tomorrow and my neice is soon to be 1 in a week. Im with her practically everyday. She wants to play with the baby. Like she does her baby dolls. And occasionally she gets to where she wants me right when Im feeding my son or something. Its kinda hard to handle her and him at the same time especially since shes veryy mobile and into everything lol. Im going to wait till my son is about 2 before we have another one. They are a handful!!

Answer 8

I have 3 kids. My oldest is 3 1/2, next  one is 1 3/4 and youngest is 1 month. I love it.  It can be very trying some days but it is so much fun watching my two oldest play and get along. My younger siblings were only 11 months apart and they were and are the best of friends. Do whatever you feel is right for you and your family. Don't let anyone tell you are wrong.

Answer 9

Its good to get it over with. The babies will be close in age and will have each other to play with etc. If you are financially set, and have support then go for it.n The miracle of life is a blessing.

Answer 10

i think you should wait..the first few yrs of a babys life  he depends on his mom for all the love n attetnion when theres another baby around he ant get that love that he needs..wait till hes 3 id say

Answer 11

Well, I have a 2 yr old, and a 9 month old. I think the pros are, they have a playmate, your already in baby mode, they have so much in common and enjoy the same things...the only con is that I havent slept well in almost 3 years..but it's getting better now!

Answer 12

My boys are 3, 1, & 4 months!! It's hard with the younger two b/c my middle one is a handful! If we had planned the newest little guy I would've waited until the middle one was 1 & not 3 1/2 months old!! I am excited to see how my youngest two are with each other though. My 3 year old is a good helper but is equally a good instigator while I'm busy with the baby. Good luck & remember to have fun b/c it all goes too fast!!

Answer 13

My daughter and my son will be 12 months apart when my son is born in October. I have been told that it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I am looking forward to having my kids grow up so close and go through all the stages at the same time. Also this baby will complete my family and I'll look forward to them being best of friends as they get older.  

Answer 14

I have a son who will be 5 in march and there is 19 months between him and his sister who is 3 in october, and i just had my 3rd baby and he is 6 weeks old now.

I like that they are so close in age because now my first 2 are getting older they are playing together, there like 2 pea's in a pod all day long wherever he goes she will follow, and there really good with the baby...they love helping me by passing me nappies and helping to bath him.

As they all get older they will be going to school an looking out for each other.

There is a 10 yr age gap between my brother and me and we never really got close because i was older and off doing my own thing an not interested in a baby.