How do you afford more than one baby?

[Flowerybox]

Hi! So me and my partner have been discussing the possibility of having a second baby. We currently have a 17mo DD. The only thing that is making us both panic is the cost. How do you afford two babies? DD is currently in nursery a few days a week and I now only work part time but if we were to have another I have no idea how this would work because I would still want DD to go to nursery so she can interact with children her age. How do you manage?

I have 3, there is just under 2 years with 1&2 and just over 2 years with 2&3. I know its not an option for some but I'm a sahm now since having our first. Paying for nursery isn't an option for us with only having one wage coming in and tbh I'd personally rather mine not go until age 3. I take them to playgroups at least twice a week so they're mixing with other children and we regularly go swimming, softplay, museums visits etc.

Like idontlikealdi I had twins so didn't get much say in the matter! And having to fork out for all the big purchases twice at the same time (or more expensive versions of the items, like buggies) is really tough, but we get by. No way I could afford childcare for them though so I won't be getting a normal job until they're at school. Besides that, at this point they aren't too expensive - nappies, formula and extra food, I buy as much as I can second hand since most stuff barely gets used anyway.

5yrs, 3yrs then 4yrs age gaps do never had more then one lot of childcare fees. Also used to work evenings/weekends so we didn't have to pay extra.
I now work school hours, term time only.

We had a bigger age gap, which given how ahem, spirited said second child is, thanks god they weren't both tiny at the same time!!

We have three after my second was born, and I gave up work. (Really because I use to work early mornings and my partners work was flexible and
He would start once I got back, however he was made redundant during maternity leave 😩, found a job but wasn't flexible so I couldn't go back, we have no family to help out!).
I also budget every thing, the kids get toys for birthday and Xmas that's it. We don't go out for meals and have caravan holidays. I kept all toys too (mainly because I'm a hoarder 😂). Also we do lots of free things, parks, beach days, we have a massive garden so lucky there, but kids have bikes scooter etc they love going out on them. They rarely get bored as have each other.
We actually have 2 children with disabilities their Dla is excluded and goes on what they need...
(And pays to maintain a second car!) however my carers pays for sky tv and mine and oh clothes.

We had 4 in seven years ( 2 unplanned ! ). We afforded it by working around each other , dh worked 9-5 ish and I worked nights and weekends. So no childcare costs or only occasional ones. Kids clothes were mainly from charity shops or handed down with only shoes being new.