What would you say is a nice age gap between children?

[SleepDeprived2018]

Hi 👋🏼
Our first DD is nearly 11 months - i am forever broody - however i thought we would wait and have a 3 year gap - DH would like to try again soon and would prefer a two year gap

Just wondering what age gaps other people have ...

2.10 between the big one and the middle one, 2.3 between the middle and the little one so 5.1 between top and bottom!

@PotteringAlong how did you find both gaps? Was there much difference? Or was going from 1-2 kids 2-3 more of a shock? X

I’ve got 17 months between DC1 & DC2, then there will be 2yr 10months between DC2 & DC3 when she’s born.

I personally think the bigger age gap this time around is going to be harder for me logistically than the smaller gap between the first two kids!

I have a 4yr age gap between my two. There’s pro and cons. My main Big big pro being that ds got 4yrs undivided attention with me and dh, the dd came along and ds started school full time which meant dd got alot of attention too during the school day.

My main con being that I feel that I spread being a mother of your children out for way longer than needed... hard for establishing work, but mainly because I’m a keen sports person and struggled to devote ‘me’ time to it.
i’m also rubbish with the baby stage. My youngest is 6 now and it’s amazing!! 😀

Young not your

Between 2 and 2.5 years. I think it's perfect.

23 months. 1st year was absolute hell but the gap just gets smaller & now it's mostly great (10 & 8)

There is 2 years and 9 months between mine and I found that a good gap.

My son was old enough to do a lot of things for himself and able to understand that a new baby has needs without feeling jealous.

He was a brilliant older brother to his little sister.

My gaps are 2.7 months, 2.5 months and 3 years...

I would say that the 3 year gap was the most manageable as a 3 year old is no longer a baby so it’s easier when you have a newborn although maybe 2.5 is a nicer gap going forward.

Personally I couldn’t have had a smaller gap than 2 years but some of my friends have and, although they struggled initially, particularly those with children of the same sex, find it much easier going forward.

I personally wouldn’t want a gap of much more than 3 years, if possible as the thought of going back to bottles/nappies once out of it would be a nightmare!

I've got three DC, 7, 5, 2. The oldest two are very close but fight like cat and dog, they both have a good relationship with the 2 year old.

I personally think 3/4 is a good gap as it can stop the competition but still close enough to play together.

It could depend on personality also...mine are 'spirited'!

21 months between mine. It worked fine for me, and they were very good friends from being very little, as the age and interest gap was small.

3 1/2 years is delightful. Older one old enough to entertain themselves for a bit while baby is tiny. 15 hours of nursery for a bit of a break, lots of time with younger one when they're a little toddler once big one is at school (if your working patterns work out that way) and they'll probably play brilliantly together 3/4 years down the line. Best age gap ever imo. Way better than the

Six years has been brilliant for us.

DD1 had lots of time and attention as a baby and toddler. When DD2 came along, she had no reason to be jealous because they needed different kinds of attention that didn't clash. That means DD2 got lots of time and attention too.

There wasn't much sibling rivalry because they had different toys, friends, etc.

DD1 could babysit for us and when she passed her test, started taking DD1 out for treats and day trips. They get on really well and I wouldn't change a thing.

2.5 years between mine. Hard (and expensive for childcare) for the first year, but great thereafter. The very best times, holidays, days out etc etc made so much easier by being able to please both DC with appropriate activities. So much in common. And once nappies and prams were gone, no going back. And not too much academic comparison with the separating year.

2 years almost exactly between mine. First year was really tough; DC2 needed me so much, I do feel like I missed out on DC1's needs a little bit. Not sure how much of that is in my head though.

Now it's getting really good. They are 6 and 4 and best friends.

I think every family will make whatever age gap work for them. I've got 2 DC and there is a 2 year age gap. DC2 is coming up to 1 and I'm happy to start thinking of non-baby stuff. Each to their own though.

Yeah I do agree with pps. I do generally like having a 4yr age gap. They don’t argue, have very different interests and friends so little competition. Bit due to having little in common it can be hard to please them both. And example is the cinema... dh and I have now got in to the habit of going to separate showings with the dc to see different films.
Sports is hard too. We do many outdoor sports as a family bit often have to split up during the day so both dc get something meaningful out of it.
It works for is though as dh and I work well together

Another big pro for 4yr age gap is only one set of fulltime childcare costs

Just shy of 3 years between older two - absolutely perfect. Never had two in nappies etc but pretty rapidly able to be companions and still in much the same life ‘phase’ for activities etc.
Than a 4.5 year age gap - too big and not able to play with next up sibling until 5ish as DC2 that much older. Exacerbated as 3rd born but felt like a long time of stuff to suit the older two and separate stuff for the baby/toddler.

3 years almost exactly between mine. Dd1 had undivided attention, and started nursery a month after dd2 was born.
One set of nappies, and feeds. Big enough gap for evening time for Dd1 when the baby was in bed. It was lovely Dd1 being old enough to 'help', passing wipes and nappies etc. She loved/s playing big sister.

23 month age gap. First year and a half almost broke me. Newborn plus terrible twos was HELL and my second child was an easy newborn. It’s great now they’re 3 & 5

I have had - 19 month gap (hell), 6 year gap (fine but limited play together!), and finally an almost 4 year gap (perfect).

18 month gap here. First 18 months/2 years nearly killed us but now they are at Primary it’s absolutely fabulous and completely worth the first two years. It would have been much easier if DC1 had been a good sleeper. 2 in nursery was expensive but doable and I enjoy work.

Would strongly dislike a larger gap - you get all the baby stuff done in one hit and they are similar enough in ages to do stuff together.

22 months and they are the best of friends.

11 months 1 week between my eldest 2
I had 6 in just short of ten years

My partners 2 is just shy of 5 years apart

Both had pros and cons

There isn’t a perfect gap to be honest