18 month age gap please reassure me!

[MulderitsmeX]

Have a DS nearly 11 months and am now 6 weeks pg! It basically took nearly a year to get pregnant with DS and I didn't want more than a 3 year gap so started ttc casually in January and stuck lucky first time but now I'm panicking!

I've got it really good atm, DS sleeps through, is happy and contented and it's been fairly easy since 6 months. What is baby no 2 is a nightmare?? What have I done??

I initially though about a smallish gap as my dsis and I are 2.5 years apart which is nice, plus DH is 38 this year which was a consideration for me (we are thinking maybe 3 kids so needed to get on with no2 to avoid having teenagers when he's approaching 60). But now I'm thinking about the sleepless nights and colic and crying and being all big and uncomfortable and wondering what I've done to myself!!

Plus I feel sad for DS- what if he wanted to be my only baby for a bit longer? What if he hates the new baby? What have I done? We also need to move house (on the cards anyway) and I feel like I've messed up a bit by getting what I wished for.

I know there's no right time and rather too soon than too slow but I'm really super panicking agjghghgh

I think there are pros and cons of any age gap and you just have to make the best of it. Lots of positives for that gap such as growing up together, shared interests, getting the hard bit out of the way etc. Yes it will be tough for a while but personally I’d prefer that than have life get easier then go back to routines and nappies and stuff.

My dc2 was a rubbish sleeper after the best sleeping/eating/temperament baby that was dc1 but overall it’s fine. Just don’t expect too much from yourself and trust it will all work out.

Congratulations

In our experience, with a small age gap they don’t get jealous of any new addition, they just accept it.
We’ve never had an easy baby, so potentially DC2 might be a shock to your system if they’re not like your firstborn, but you just get on with it (because there’s no other option! 😂)
And congratulations :) . I’m glad things haven’t been as difficult this time round.

There are 18 months between my brother and I (well..one of them). We got along fine. There was five years between me and the next brother. All was fine. I got on with him as well until I hit my teens then it rankled that mum was so soft with him (and he had a later bed time than I did when I was younger). It really rankled and , ok I suppose mum had 'relaxed' after having two kids but she had more worries with him -(breaking out of his pushchair, running out the health clinic and running along the 'Rochester Way'.

Mine have got a 16 month gap (which is larger than I wanted). I love it. They are best friends. The younger one was always so easy as she had a role model. She saw her brother potty train and decided she wanted pants too. She ate what he ate. Played with him so has a wonderfully developed imagination. The older one is wonderful and patient and loving and I'm sure that developed from having a baby sibling so early.

Sometimes the logistics are tricky and it's about prioritising needs. I've learnt to be very organised (which doesn't come naturally to me).

They still nap and they nap together and it's heaven!!

You'll be fine. I'm not a natural Mother Earth mother and I can do it so I firmly believe anyone can!

Mine are 16mths apart and it's fine!

Yes, you essentially have 2 babies initially; 2 lots of nappies, 2 tiny people waking during the night, 2 people to feed etc. It's exhausting.

The youngest copies the eldest though. Youngest has been toilet trained, learned to dress/write/read etc by copying her sister.

And they're interested in the same stuff which simplifies it!

Mine are 5 and almost 4 now 🙂

17 months between my two, a boy and a girl. They are now 8 and 9 and have always been the best of friends. I wish I was closer in age to my siblings.

Thanks guys! Feeling much calmer, I guess I can over think things sometimes, :)