advice from mums in the same boat

[caramelcoffeelover]

Hi everyone,

A few days ago found out I am pregnant again. I've got a 17 month old daughter already and this pregnancy came as a suprise. I am feeling a little apprehensive about having two little ones who will have 25 months between them and appreciate it is going to be hard work for a while. Is anyone else in the same/similar situation and how do you feel about it?

There is a 19 month gap between my 2 DC & I wouldn't have it any other way. I won't lie - it was hard work for the the first 6 months or so, as was the exhaustion in pregnancy. BUT, they are the best of friends & I find that two is actually easier than one as they tend to entertain each other giving me a break. :)

Hi I'm the same as littlemiss. 19mouth gap and they are now 2an a half and 4 and they are the bestest friends and play together which gives me a break. The early days are hard but you get use to it and get into your own routine and its like you always had them both. Good luck. X

I've got 14 months between my 2, and its great. They play with the same toys, watch the same tv - eat the same (just mash up the babies a bit more) if your changing one nappy might as well change 2...
mine are now 5 (girl) & 4 (boy) and are the best of friends and I can read a book while they play together. It was a bit tough when they were both waking at different times during the night, but i think some of that was me giving in...
I would not have changed a thing.

Hi, I had DD2 6 weeks ago. There is almost exactly 25 months between DD1 and DD2. The first month was really hard work, but now I am starting to settle into some kind of routine its a bit easier.

Biggest difficulty is sleep deprivation and coping with DD1 when exhausted. No idea what your DD is like, but my DD1 still wakes at night. If you can get your DD sleeping through before your DC2 arrives I would seriously recommend it!!! Another thing that has helped me is that I started DD1 at pre school when she turned 2 just for 2 mornings a week, but it is great as it gives me a rest and gives me some time alone with DD2 to bond.

You will be fine I'm sure. I think 2 years is a lovely gap to have even if it is hard work. xx

I have 15 months between mine and the first 6 months were hard, but manageable. I was more than a little anxious when I knew I'd have quite a small gap but now I love it.
Pregnancy was harder the second time as there is no rest but be kind to yourself, lower your expectations of what will get done and you'll have an easier time. There is no medal awarded at the end for being wonderwoman!

Thanks for all your posts girls, it really helps to see i am not alone. I know people manage and some of the lucky ones even enjoy it but it's always great to hear this direct. There are two schools of thought on this isn't there. I always thought it'd be better to have a bigger gap so that the older DC could help out with the baby but since i found out i was pregnant i can see the benefits of having the smaller gap too. Thanks for listening/reading.

I had 18 months between 2 of mine plus a 3 yo. It was hard work looking back, but we managed which wasn't bad for saying the first 9 months of the youngest (at the time) life, I was on my own. It will be fine don't fret ;) x

good luck caramel
i am another one on the opinion of small gaps are better, when you find out your preg and your 1st or youngest child still seems so young and a baby themselves what you have to remember is that they grow up and change a huge amount during the pregnancy, as 9 months is a long time in the life of a small child. so between 17 months and 25 months i would expect your dd speech improve hugely and overall will seem a lot more grown up, able to understand a bit more etc. i think a 2yr old would still be able to help out a bit with baby etc
mine are 17 months apart and expecting another one 20 months apart from my 2nd, because i was v happy with the small gap the first time so decided to have a similar gap again, so cant have been that bad