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18 month age gap

7 replies

kb16 · 08/08/2019 22:40

I have a little boy who will be 1 next month. I've not long found out I'm having another baby, the age gap will be 18 months and I've all of a sudden got so anxious about how hard it's going to be and how I'm going to cope. When my little boy cries I just keep thinking I'm going to have 2 babies that are going to need my attention and how I'm going to have to split myself in 2. I feel so guilty on my little boy as he's going to have to watch me with another baby Sad is there anyone with a similar age gap that can reassure me?

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alphabetti · 09/08/2019 07:57

There is a 20mth gap between my 2 and there were moments where I felt guilty that needed to stop doing something with 1 as other needed my attention but it never caused a problem.

Like I remember feeling guilty at times like when once feeding the youngest one my oldest ones nappy leaked so had to put little one down to sort the nappy then come back to continue feeding.

To be honest whatever the age I think you feel guilt at maybe not being able to give everything to the child/children already there but it just shows you care. Don’t let yourself feel guilty if you need to do something for one at a certain time as you sometimes just need to prioritise and having a sibling is great for them. Mine are teenagers now but they still have a good bond and despite the usual teenage moodiness at times they do have a good bond.

Make life easy for yourself tho as in keep some nappies/wipes in the room you spend most time in. Like with my oldest I would change him upstairs but with youngest just changed her in same room we were in (mostly living room in day). Keep changing bag full of spare clothes/nappies/wipes etc so when needed to go out could just grab it and go. If you have room get a travel cot and keep it downstairs so you can put little one in to keep safe (once it’s mobile) if u need to do something for older one. At 18mth your oldest will not remember time when it was just you and them so enjoy the one on one right now but they will just accept a new sibling is now there and just get on with things.

Jowd92 · 09/08/2019 21:03

My little boy is 1 today and I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant due in december there will be 16 months between my 2 boys I was nervous about my little boy feeling left out and pushed aside when new baby comes but I think his going to be okay well I hope so us mommy's are good at what we do and when there newborn its more eat sleep change they sleep more so I will just try get in play time with my little man when little one is sleeping it's going to be hard but I'm.sure we will be fine good luck

choccybuttonshelpeverything · 10/08/2019 01:06

I'll have an 18 month gap and I'm feeling exactly the same way! No advice sorry

NorthLondonmum83 · 10/08/2019 14:17

Congrats OP. I have a 20 month gap between my first two and do call them 'the twins'! There are times it's hard, you do have two babies and you have to remember that your eldest still needs so much while a baby needs from you, well, everything. I didn't manage the breastfeeding jealousy very well for example and just gave up which I was sad about later.
Some days on mat leave second time around I felt like I was going mad!
I honestly wouldn't have it any other way though - they are such little buddies and play together fantastically.
Get help where you can and don't feel bad about putting the tv on now and again :)
It really pays off, and quite soon!

Horehound · 10/08/2019 14:19

I think at least you get all the baby stuff out the way quickly is good but me and my brother have 18 months between is and we fought like crazy!

Have a good relationship now though!

Tillyfloss1 · 10/08/2019 14:31

My nephews are 18 months apart. Not going to lie, my sister did find it hard but now is relishing the youngest being out of nappies and feels like she's got all that stuff out of the way in one big go if that makes sense. And her boys are growing closer every day. I know she asked for help a lot more in the early days which she hadn't with her first who was dream baby (now a spirited nearly 4 year old)! She always says well you don't know any different so you just get on with it. I would feel the same trepidation if I got pregnant now (I have a 9 month old) it's completely understandable. But you won't be a first time mum this time - think of everything you've learnt since your first baby came into the world! You can do it everything will be fine xx

JustbeaDentist · 10/08/2019 14:43

Congratulations, mine are 15 months apart and it's fine. I don't have help during the day except for the oldest goes to nursery 2 mornings, so it's not impossible. My second is a great baby though.

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