13 month age gap between DC

[Nightdream]

DS was born last august and has just turned 6 months old, second DC is due in september. This was unplanned, I'm happy but worried about how I'm going to cope with a one year old and a newborn. I hate to say this but I feel a bit embarrassed about telling people, especially work, I'll be coming back just to leave again a few months later. Anyone have experience with small age gaps? I would really appreciate some advice

There's 10 months between my eldest two. It's obviously hard work but you get through it. You have to really 😬 the good thing about small age gaps though is that the youngest one is never far behind the older one, so no long gaps for them to start school together. Mine are 16 & 17

Just tell them you planned to have them close together, plenty of people do! It'll be tough for a while (but honestly, the jump from one to two brings issues of some form or another no matter what the age gap), but you are still in baby mode, they will have similar interests for most of their young years. Short term pain, long term gain. Do you have someone to help out with the first few months?

There is a 15 month age gap between mine. 21 month old and 6 month old.

Second delivery was so easy and straightforward than the first. She is also a much easier baby and I'm much more relaxed.

Had to go back to work pregnant and told them the next day. Don't think they were that impressed but kind of expected it. Worked my ass off for the 5 months I was back so couldn't give a hoot now about it.

Not going to look back and think about my job.

It is hard work but you get through somehow and I'm hoping it will be easier when they are a bit older in that they may like similar things.

Good luck 👍

I have my DH but he'll be working, well everyone I know who can help out a bit works full time so it will pronably just be me and DC through the day during the week

Don't feel embarrassed, it's nobody's business. It will be hard work but 2 kids are anyway. There's loads of advantages. You need to master tandem napping! One of my maternity leave luxuries was going for a drive through costa's while both DC slept in the car. Can't do that once older one is past napping. My advice is to get a decent double buggy. Loads on sale second hand on gumtree etc. Do loads of big walks with an audiobook or podcast. Is there a mummy walking group in your area? It'll be fine and they will play well together and have similar interests as they get older so days out are quite easy. I can relax while mine are both happy to disappear into soft play together for a bit. It'll be fine.

There's just under 11 months between my middle 2. I won't lie, the first year was horrific but got slowly better. Routine is your friend!

Good points are that they are so close in age that they are into the same things at the same time and can be the best of friends, although they tend to be mortal enemies more often these days