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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Age gap between babies - what to aim for and how to achieve it??

109 replies

Blondeinlondon · 08/01/2006 18:55

What do you consider to be the ideal age gap between siblings and why?

If you decided X months/years was best for you how much leeway did you give yourself for conception? eg how many months before/after??

OP posts:
Aloha · 08/01/2006 19:04

I had exactly teh same gap as Twiglet and also like it. My ds has dyspraxia so isn't quite as independent as most children his age (wasn't toilet trained at 3.3 and still can't dress himself a year later - or even put on his shoes) so a smaller gap would have been really, really hard.

Twiglett · 08/01/2006 19:04

( .. will have a look)

hunkermunker · 08/01/2006 19:03

(I know, Marmitey one, I posted on your thread offering newborn Munker for broodiness purposes )

tribpot · 08/01/2006 19:03

Interesting topic. I am wondering about number 2 (ds is 6 months old) because I think a smaller age gap might work better for me, in terms of the number of years when both mini-tribs are pre-school.

I've spoken to the Junies about this and the consensus seemed to be that there are pros and cons of any age gap, so probably best just to go with gut instinct.

Before ds was born I was planning a 2 year age gap so was going to start ttc again this June, giving me three months to crack it. We conceived in our first month this time although that's no guarantee of how things might go second time around.

Jasnem · 08/01/2006 19:02

First time I just knew I didn't want DD1 to be an only, and ended up with a 15 month gap.
This time decided I wanted DD2 to be in school (5 year gap)and didn't allow any time before , just assumed I would fall as quickly as the first two. It took 6 months and am now 8 months pg.

Small gap has resulted in two very close daughters. Was hard initially, but really glad I did it now.
Bigger gap is me not feeling able to cope with 3 under 5, and wanting to have time with baby alone.

Twiglett · 08/01/2006 19:02

(oy sneaky .. DH has given the nod towards no. 3 )

hunkermunker · 08/01/2006 19:01

There'll be 21m between ours (DS is that now - due any day!) - I'll let you know whether it works

jalopy · 08/01/2006 19:00

You'll get lots of replies with different opinions! I loved the three year gap between mine. The toddler was toilet trained and fairly independant when the baby came along. It worked really well for us. I loved it so much I waited for another three year gap with the last one!

Twiglett · 08/01/2006 18:59

ha ha ha ha ha

if only it was an exact science

We aimed for 2 years gap (took 2 months to conceive first child) .. so we gave it 6 months.. ended up with a 3 year 3 month gap due to unforseen fertility issues

I think 3 years is fab .. DS always been great with DD and caring, he was fully toilet trained when she came along and very very helpful

will aim for similar gap again