Third baby , people's age gaps and how you've found having a third?

[Amy990]

I've just found out I'm pregnant with my third . Intersted in people's age gaps and how they found having a third? :)

I'm 33 weeks pg with DC3 so not at the stage of knowing what it will be like, but I have been blown away by how excited and affectionate my 2 other DCs are with my bump already - kissing, talking to, patting, blowing raspberries, suggesting names. It makes me hopeful, even while completely nervous!

Our age gap is bigger this time than between the first 2, which was 2.6yrs. DC1 will be 6.3, DC2 will be 3.9 when the baby arrives. Hoping it will be a bit easier with them being bigger and a bit more independent.

Im 38 weeks pregnant with DC3 and have a very big age gap DD1 is 11 and DD2 is 9! they are both very excited and hope they will be helpful when baby arrives! Im quite anxious about how the dynamics of the family will change but hoping everyone stays happy! Will let you know in a couple of months!!!

I'm 16 weeks with dc4. I have dd-9, dd-3 and ds-7 months. I found three actually a lot easier than I thought it would be my girls adore their brother and they all play happily together (most of the time!)
They only time when it's hard is if I'm ill or one or more of them is ill but usually my mum takes pity on me and helps out!

I would say to take any offers of help especially in the early days. One thing that was very hard were the after pains after I gave birth they lasted about three days and were bloody painful had no pains at all after my first two so it came as a massive shock!

Thank you That has reassured me , this is big shock for me as i was so sure I only wanted two children and my youngest is 14months . I'm so nervous which I haven't felt before with my pregnancies . I'm sure when the time comes I will just deal with it like everything else. :)

Have three with roughly three years in between each. I always wanted three, but I do find having three hard. The third has broken me physically and mentally and maybe that's why I find it so difficult at the moment. That said she is the easiest, happiest baby ever and three seems right.

You will manage. It will be lovely. Congratulations

ditsydebs I have a similar age gap (dd was nearly 11, ds was 8.5 when their baby brother arrived.) They both love him to bits and tbh are really helpful too. Baby is now one and older 2 are showing no signs of being any less enamoured.

I was really quite nervous about telling them they were going to have a sibling and how they would react, but they've been really sweet, if anything, it's brought us all closer.

Fingers x'd your two will react the same way.

My gaps will be almost identical to evertonmint's. I am hoping to train DC1 to get up in the night with the baby , given that 3 year old DC2 still doesn't manage a night in his own bed very often. long way to go, still in denial.

I'm 24 weeks with dc3 and I have a ds who will be 5 and 9 months (guess when dc 3 was concieved ) and a dd who will be 3 and 6 months. Its been a lot harder peegnancy wise as I have those 2 to run around after and they won't have an afternoon nap that mommy can join. I'm hoping #3 won't be too bad and will hopefully slot into our routines. My other dcs are very excited by the baby and very involved and interested in knowing the different development bits and how baby is going toget here. Guess I'll just have to wait and see to how it will be with my hands full.

i have nearly 3 years between my 1st and second then 18 months between 2nd and third

if i was doing it again i'd have a bigger gap between 2 and 3
it was a very intense time and i really feel that i missed out on toddler ds2 and newborn ds3 a lot because i was just SO FUCKING BUSY lol

now expecting baby number 4, with nearly a 5 year gap between 3 and 4

I'm pregnant with DC3, by the time baby is born my others will be 11 and 7 so quite big difference. Most people have told me they found the change from two to three much easier than from one to two (hope that's true).
Must say I am not looking forward to broken nights sleep again though!

I have 3 sons. 12, 9 & 2. The big age gap has been great. I love having 3. The little one has brought out some lovely sides of the bigger ones. They think he is great fun.

Oh whatsonemoreyour age gaps exactly like mine! Thank you , you have made me feel more positive . It's such a shock I'm started to get very excited of the idea of a new baby !

DC3 is 6 months, DC1 is nearly 16 and DC2 is 13 and it's great. They love him to bits and DC1 does so much for him, she says it's like having a baby of her own without all the sleepless nights etc!

im bucking the trend here as i have small age gaps - my eldest will be 31 months and middle child 16 months when the 3rd baby is born in october.

a 14 month gap between the first two and 16 month gap between the second and third.

can't wait!!

I'm 10 weeks with DC3, my other two will be 9 & 6 when this one arrives. I think this size gap will be easier as the other two are at school all day so I will have time to devote one on one to the baby. I'm really looking forward to it and I'm sure my DCs will be excited when we tell them as they have been asking for years for another sibling.

I have three

Dc1 is 6.3, dc2 is 4.11, dd is 12.5 months

So small gap between first two and then nearly four years til the third

Both gaps have there advantages and disadvantages

Older two are very close, share friends toys interests etc, they entertain each other alot. But I feel their baby years were rushed and dc1 in particular had to grow up too quickly,

Them being older and having each other means I have lots of time for the little one, but I do worry about her being left out because they are so close!

When dc3 arrives in a few weeks, dd1 will be 7 and dd2 will be 5. Like others have said these two are so close, play together (and fight!), more or less independent, sleep through the night, dry etc. I think they'll be my little helpers. I did find toddler and a baby hard with my first two, as I felt I couldn't give neither 100%, i was literally between the two and exhausted. But seeing them now and how they are with each other, I have no regrets!