Best age gap: 1,2 or 3 years?

[MimiDaisy11]

We have a young baby and we’re hopefully going to have a second child but we’ve not decided on what age gap to go for between children. Obviously I’m aware nothing is guaranteed or that plans don’t necessarily work out when trying to conceive but what are people’s opinions on what age gap is best? I can’t have a big age gap due to my own age so I would try for second child in the next few years.

Opinions?

Age was a factor for me, it would have been 15 months difference and it ended up 2 years and 2 months. I can't really comment as I've only experienced one of the age differences you refer to

A tiny gap means you are likely to not have a very mobile/fast child when waddling along very pregnant, or having a newborn my 8 month old is a manic crawler, wriggler, trying to walk’er lol- never know what you’ll get!

Oh yes. Being pregnant with a toddler is such hard work!!! And you just feel so tired and want to sleep but can’t! It limited me to doing activities with my toddler as I was so big and tired. Coming up to 19months and a 10 week old now.
My dd loves her little brother though! I thought she would get really jealous since she was and still is very clingy to me but she wasn’t jealous at all.

A tiny gap means you are likely to not have a very mobile/fast child when waddling along very pregnant, or having a newborn
DS was crawling up the stairs at 6 months, walking at 11 months. Didn't stop and sit with a book or play with a toy quietly until at least 18 months.

We have a 5yr, 16.5mth, almost 3yr, twins, current will be 6.5yr gap.
Smaller age gaps are better for jealousy as they never remember the other not being there, 3 onward they're used to sharing anyway. Downside is it can be exhausting, especially when they get ill.
Our larger age gaps were not intentional but due to losses.

I never worried about gaps.
we wanted lots of kids so we always an "it happens when it happens" kind of attitude (apart from for 6m once and 3m another time when I didn't want to get pg for various reasons)

the gaps are 2y, 17m, 2y, (MC), 3y 5m, 2 y, 2y+.
almost exactly 13 y between oldest & youngest.

I can't tell you which was best or worst and every time there were a lot of different issues & circumstances (positive and negative). we just got on with it

However, I wouldn't recommend a much less than 18m gap. give your body time to recover.