when is the best time to have baby number 2 ???!!! opinions and experiences please!

[mieowcat]

I had my baby girl in january and am just totally loving being a mum and can't wait to be pregnant again, and my hubby feels the same( about being a dad!). I am 32 and know for sure that we want 2 or 3 more babies, but unsure when to have baby 2. im thinking next summer, as i want to complete the family while im under 36ish and get it 'out of the way in one go type thing'. Is this crazy? 2 babies in the space of 15 months?
xx

I'm thinking of trying for number 2 in the next 6 months (DD was born in Jan too) So if your nuts so am I!! lol

go for it. Small gap is hard work but the children have more in common IMO

There is no good time to have a second baby. I think that you just have to bite the bullet when you get the urge.

i have 11 months between dc1+2,and 15 months between dc4+5.

pros:
all the baby stuff is fresh in your mind.
your house will still be toddler-proof when no.2 is mobile.
IME childbirth is easier and quicker with a smaller gap.
they play together as they are into the same toys etc for the first few years.

cons:
double buggies are a PITA(though modern ones are much better than tose of 9 years ago)
toddlers dont understand that babies are delicate and not to be played with/fed/hit/bit
in 10-14 years time you will get puberty in stereo

they are my experiences sofar.

I always wanted small gap between no 1 and 2 but it didint work out that way. There is nearly a 3 year gap and it is still hard work..lots of fun too mind you!!!
So do what ever feels right for you, sometimes it takes alittle longer than expected too, so allow for that!

Ive got 3.5 years between my two but it wasnt planned that way I wanted them closer but had fertility problems after my first and it took 2 years to get pregnant second time round. I had my second baby 12 weeks ago and am hoping to start trying for number 3 around christmas time. I'm hoping it wont take as long this time now I know what the problems is and start on treatment again so hopefully i'll have around an 18 month gap.

I have a 5 year age gap which worked well for me- elder one quite mature, v helpful & at school. Now they are 1.5 & 6.5 its great as i have time in the day for youngest & after school make time for elder one to keep her happily entertained. Thankfully there are no jealousies & they are v loving & loyal to each other.

thanks everyone, all very useful thoughts. x

DD 6m next week, we're starting trying at Christmas i.e. when she is 1

3 year age gap between DS and DD but would have been sooner except it took a year when trying for DD. I would have preferred the age difference to be smaller because I had completely forgotten the baby thing and how hard it was so came as a huge shock. The smaller the gap the fresher the memory I suppose.

Again, 3 years between DS1 and DS2. Took longer than expected (like other posts). I like the 3 year gap - DS1 is mature enough to understand about DS2 and there's very little jealousy here. He just likes to help clean his little brother and console him when he's crying.