To be worried about the small age gap...

[KeepOnKeepingOnAndOnAndOnAndOn]

Dd is going to be 18 months when the next dc arrives (in around 7 months).

Most people i hve told I am pregnant are shocked and seem to think me mad (planned pregnancy)

I obviously know it is going to be bloody hard, I am no fool- but I would rather get all the madness out the way in one big go!

AIBU to worry that it is gonna be even harder than I anticipate? Eeeek!

There is a 16 month age gap between my eldest two. It was fine, busy but fine. They are young adults now & still very close. It can't have been too bad because I had a third DC 2.5 years later so at one point had three under four

22 months between my two. DD2 was a lovely surprise.

It works great for us. They are great friends and very close. But regularly argue too (but what else can you expect with two girls???).

There are 18 months between DC2 and 3 and a year between DC 3 and 4. Some of that period is an absolute blur, but it's completely do-able. If I can do it, anyone can!

Take as many photos as possible as, when they're older, you'll look back and think, "God! I'd forgotten all about that!"

Get a good double buggy, eyes in the back of your head and say goodbye to sleep for a bit. DC4 didn't sleep through until he was almost 1, and I swear is because he knew from the start it was the only time he would get some one on one time!

They are all the best of friends though. It never ceases to make me smile how well they get on.....most of the time!!

Don't worry - I have a 13 month age gap and have a 17 month old and a nearly 4 month old

The anticipation was much worse than the reality

Agree that it helps that DS is still having a big sleep in the day - although I'm not very good at having rests then as I can bear the house being messy and I'm exclusively expressing for DD but at least it gives me a bit of down time. Both are very good sleepers which helps too. However, DH takes DD from about 7:30 - 10:30 to let me have a rest/express in peace. At the beginning I used to sleep then too so had a good bit of sleep as DD wouldn't then wake up til about 12 so would suggest doing something like that. You always feel better if you know you're having a guaranteed bit of respite

Also, the people who say it will be a nightmare usually don't have a clue as they don't actually have that age gap!

18 months is a great age gap - they share so many friends and interests.

Also, DC4 gave up their daytime naps at 18 months because DC3 did, as he wanted to do everything his sibling did. That was probably one of the most exhausting times, as he would be literally hanging by 4/5pm and it would be a mad dash to feed him, bathe him and get him to bed before an almighty tantrum explosion each night.

Oh - and always have somewhere safe to dump littlest baby - DD. I have Moses basket in lounge, bouncy chair in kitchen and swing in our TV/playroom.

I also have a playpen in the lounge for DS - can pop him in there if I need to do anything with DD that takes two hands or do expressing. He only gets babytv in the playpen so he loves it!

My 4 are very close in age. (No twins) The eldest was 6 when the youngest was born. It was hell absolutely bonkers at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. I refer to it a batch cooking I have three at Uni at the minute which is quite expensive and I'll be glad when the youngest finishes her A levels - I've had enough of exams

I have had a cleaner most the time which makes a huge difference.

I don't actually think that the people you have told are 'actually' shocked, it's more something that people say to make conversation. IYSWIM It's not unusual and 20 months is not even that close. Under a year is comment worthy I used to live somewhere with a lot of orthodox jewish families who had huge families ridiculously close in age.

My sister turned 1 only three weeks before I was born. We are the best of friends and I love her to pieces. I'm sure it was hard work for my mom but I love having a sister so close in age.

I have a DS and if me and DH were ever going to have another (which we aren't) I always said I'd want to do it ASAP after the first one!!

You will be fine

13 months here, all planned, had lots of negative comments too.

Eldest didn't walk until 16 months, and I was really hoping she would before sibling arrived. However it had its plusses, she was easier to watch whilst bf in the first 3 months with DC2. DC1 also was on 2 naps a day still so that really helped.

They both teething now, but I just say to myself, once DC2 has all his teeth we're through that stage before my friends who are now only just pg and have a full on toddler about to start school.

Both my babies adore each other, and there are some heart warming moments.

You will be fine. It will be hard at first but in no time they will be like friends :)
Had my 2nd gone full term it would have been exactly 18 months gap too and it was planned. I was 39 and couldn't afford to wait any longer. Have a good support system and you will be fine :)

Its great! Mine are 19 months apart, it's busy to start as there's 2 lots of nappies etc but very enjoyable. DS2 was a poorly baby and in hospital a fair bit so it was difficult logistically but really not as bad as I imagined, or everyone kept telling me.....

They're 4 and 5.9 now and the best of friends and it is so easy, they like the same things, can go to same places, play brilliantly. So glad they have the gap they do

My Mum had 3 under 3 and she wouldn't change a thing. And now she loves our family get togethers because the 3 of us are so close. It will be worth every second!! :)

Another one here with two 19 months apart, and most of our close "family friends" have a less than 2 years age-gap. I didn't think anything to how full-on it was when they were small as I didn't know any different!

It was fine. When he was tiny, DS just laid on the bean-bag and watched DD playing. As they got older, DD tried her best to keep DS out of trouble! And now they are teens, DS looks after DD

I have a small gap between 1 and 2, then a bigger gap between 2 and 3 - youngest is 3 now and so far the smaller gap was much easier than the bigger one, due to not juggling baby/ toddler with ferrying older ones here there and everywhere at exactly the wrong times nap wise, trying to help with homework while toddler wreaks destruction, days out for youngest being boring for oldest and youngest being disruptive or below the age/ height limit for things older ones need accompanying to etc.

Wow so much good stuff! I agree with pp that sometimes people do just say things in conversation - not necessarily to scare me I guess. Also, I am aware or some it is a nightmare as mum had us close and had bad pnd.

I already have a light and practical double buggy in mind - the city jogger mini double. I also plan on a sling so I can breastfeed whilst in the go. Has anyone true the baba sling? A lady I know has one and her dd is always feeding in I whilst she runs round after toddler.

I am also lucky that I will hve more help - when dd was born i didnt really and wanted to do it all myself which I wont this time, I'll be happy for help!

Yes - agree with the cleaner too. I have for 5 hours a week for cleaning. She also comes for another two, just it help out with Dzs, play with him fir a bit etc so I can pop out with just DD if needs

My parents live about 3 hours away but come down fir about a week, every 5 weeks or so and that helps massively - take all there'll you can get.

Also, agree that a double pram is a must and let your first DC keep their cot.

One of the mums at my daughters school had 5 kids under 5 years old (2 sets if twins) AND she worked part time too.

I don't know how the family managed it but they did and they looked like the perfect family unit at school events.

People cope, the alternative is not to cope! It was common in years gone by for big families and siblings very close in age.

I have a 21 month old and a one month old. It's a bit mixed at the mo. Im loving the madness but there have been a lot of tears and some days I'm really struggling. It will get easier though

Aww Helen hen I am sure it will :) judging by all the pp :)

Thank you I'm looking forward to it! At least ds is still sleeping brilliantly and he loves her but it's just so constant! Dh just found out he has to work away tomorrow night too and Dd has been feeding for 4 hours so I'm not impressed!

It'll be fine. I had my 6th when my eldest was 8. Tbh I find it much, much harder now that they are ages 15-7 than I did when they were all little. Its much more intense.

Oh bad timing Helen! I guess a good sleeper is half the battle though :)

Big buttons - wow, 6dc? How? I mean seriously i literally would go insane!

Hats off to you! Brave lady :) but I guess you have 6 x the love/ fun / cuddles..?