Be honest, how hard is a 15mo age gap between children?

[Snowboarder]

I found out today that I am pregnant again. DS is 8mo although just 5mo developmentally as he was 3 month prem. We are over the moon to be expecting as DS was conceived via IVF and I have had cervical cancer previously so feared I would never have the 2 children I had dreamed of.

Now the elation has subsided a bit I have started thinking about the practicalities of having 2 under 2. I'd love to hear how hard, or otherwise [wishful thinking emoticon?] it's going to be.

We have a 21 month age gap. I love it

By my calculations yours will be one school year apart which ours are. DD1 has just started recepption and I am looking forward (as is she) to following in her footsteps next year.

The double buggy was my BEST friend (although others will slate them on here and tell you to always use a sling!)

DD1 doesn't remember a time when DD2 wasn't here so we have never had any jealousy issues.

Congratulations on your BFP (especially given your history)

absolutely fine. Though to be fair I don't remember too much of the first 6 months. But now DS 2.3 and DD 1 and already playing together all the time and smile whenever the other comes into the room. Love it. Just ignore all the 'gosh, you didn't waste any time' and 'wow, you must be busy' comments. Isn't anyone with 2 kids busy?

and congratulations!!!

Congratulations!!

Between DD1 and DD2 I have 15 months and also between DS and DD4 (5 with less than 6 years from eldest to youngest!) and I would say it is brilliant. Mine are older now, but the baby/toddler ages were lovely. DD1 and DD2 have always been really close and were often mistaken for twins. As with Strictly I never had a problem with jealousy. Enjoy all the good times and at least the not so good stages are over quickly, one after the other!!
For me the hardest time was being pregnant. I found that very tiring.

I meant DD2 is looking forward to following DD1's footsteps, not me

PMA - Respect for 5 in 6 yrs. Wow!!

It's awful at first - constantly feeding and changing nappies - but once they're 2 and 3, it starts being easier, and it just gets better and better. Mine are 15 and 16 now, and great company. Life's very easy when you don't need to arrange activities/holidays around different ages.

Good luck with it all.

Congratulations .

12 months 10 day age gap between DS1 and DS1 here.
IMO short gaps v hard in the short run and v rewarding in the longterm.

Best tip was to mind to toddler first, then baby, so sibling rivalery would be kept to a minimum at the start.
They are now best bud or fiercest enemies, but v evenly matched when they fight so I leave them too it. Most of the time .

I had DS3 4 years after DS2 and the shock of going back to night feed and having an unputdownable baby was huge. Still had another, mind...

You'll be fine, honest!

Congratulations.

We have 15 months between DS & DD2. DS as the older was jealous to start with. He wanted to be precisely where DD2 was. If I said 'gently' once, I must have said it a thousand times.

DCs are now much older (DD2 will soon be 12) so obviously we have survived.

Sometimes it is hard (I dont honestly remember DS' toddler years) but TBH whenever I find things hard I remember a conversation with a mother of triplets:

'when we make a mistake we make it three times over with no chance of doing it better next time'

It's pretty awful at first.

People tell you it will get better and I suppose it does a bit

Mine are still young though (6mths and 2.1)

Hopefully when they're out of nappies I'll be loving it. At the moment it's quite hard.

Sorry! you wanted honesty

The key is to go to playgroups and seek out others in the same boat, then you can go round to each other's houses for coffee and moan about how little sleep you've had, and how easy people who've only got one child have it

That honestly keeps me sane!

Mine are 16 months apart. It's hard at the beginning because it's soooo relentless, but it's not as if you'll have got used to having any time to yourself anyway! I couldn't believe how relatively easy a baby was to look after compared with a toddler (they just lie there and need a bit of food and a clean nappy!). We never really had jealousy issues, DD1 learned v fast that if she kissed her little sister then everyone thought it was cute and lovely. They fight a little bit (became easier once DD2 got big enough to push back) but mostly play together nicely and I love the fact they have each other's company. You feel much less guilty for ignoring them getting on with the things you have to do as they're not on their own.

I'd agree with PPs to concentrate on making the older one feel special afar the baby comes (they never asked for a sibling and may not totally get that it's here to stay), and to find other people that you can have an honest moan with who won't judge you.

Also I'm sure the pregnancy and birth are easier as you're on the go up until the last day looking after your first child. The first time I sat on my bum and ate cake for the last 4 months!!

Congratulations and good luck :)

15 months between my two boys and it's the best thing we ever did. Not going to lie it was difficult at the start sleepless nights etc but well worth it in the long run. My sons are now aged 5&6 years old, 1 year apart at school and yes they fight (not too often) but they really are best friends.
Congratulations and enjoy
Forgot to say try to get your eldest into a good routine in time for baby no 2 arriving
X

15m between dc1 and 2, then 19m between dc2 and 3. Found the 15m gap easier. It is relentless at times, and the beginning is hard. Drop your expectations, or rather don't have any and you'll be surprised in a good wau hopefully! I was expecting it to be dire, but really it wasn't. In fact I mostly love it ...hence going on to have 3 under 3! Good luck!

Thanks so much to everyone who replied - I think I am most focussing on how hard and exhausting it's going to be (let's face it, it's pretty exhausting just with one baby) but so lovely to hear that some of you love having a small age gap!

Thanks for the tip about minding the toddler first - I'll remember that.

I have small gaps!

11 months between DC1 & 2, then 3 years between DC2 & 3, then 13 months between DC3 & 4. They are currently 5yrs, 4 yrs, 16 months & 3 months.

The baby/ toddler stage is hard, but once they get a little bit older (over about 3) they play so well together, it makes up for the hard work in the early years! The gap between our first 2 wasn't planned, but we decided that we wanted DC3 & 4 to be close together, as it has worked out so well between the oldest 2.

I always found the hardest bit was being pregnant and having to look after another child/ren. Would definately second what mamasunshine said, and don't have too many expectations. I just concentrate on the kids, and we slot in the housework when we can (and DH definately has to help with this!)

Congratulations, I'm sure things will be fine!