Please tell me about a 22 month age gap - pros and cons

[Bleepers]

Have just found out I'm pregnant, A LOT quicker than expected (which, of course, we're thrilled about but also a bit freaked out). The age gap will be 21.5 months and I'm suddenly so stressed about it: worried it will negatively impact my older child, worried I won't be able to cope, worried about everything :(

That's the gap between my two, it means that they play together loads. There's some fighting of course, but largely it means they always have a playmate (which has been so useful during lockdown). Similar enough in age that, for the most part, you can treat them the same once they reach school age. They have similar interests etc.

There’s 22 months between my two. DD came along a bit sooner than anticipated and we were worried about the size of the gap and whether DS would be affected but it’s been fine.

They’re 17 and 15 now and get on well together nearly all the time. When DD was born I could still remember how to do baby things and going from one to two was much easier than going from zero to one. DD just fitted in around DS and I enjoyed it all a lot more.

Thank you both so much. Now I'm feeling much more excited

That’s the gap between my two. Playmates from once the younger one was able. Some jealousy but nothing major. They’re teenagers now, still fight but are loyal to the end. And confide in each other about everything, something that I never had with my siblings. You’ll be grand. It’s lots of fun!

There’s 20 months between my two and I think it’s a perfect gap. I didn’t find the switch from 1 to 2 nearly as hard as 0 to 1. I was still in the way of bibs and nappies and high chairs and it all just kind of continued on. They played together loads when they were small and grew very close again during lockdown.

My 3rd baby is 6 yrs younger than no.2 and I was devastated that getting pregnant with no.4 took me so long. We’re looking at a 3 yr age gap between 3 &4 when what I really wanted was 2 under 2 again.

Similar age gap with my older 2. Pros:I was still in the swing of baby stuff- nappies, high chairs etc. Now they are older they play together, like doing similar things and are close. Cons: older one still needed a lot of entertaining when dd2 was born and couldn't be left alone. Dd2 was very high needs (still is!) and I did find it tricky especially at first but did soon get into the swing of it.
It will be great - congratulations and good luck!

Hi OP, there’s twenty months between my eldest two and I honestly think it’s perfect. Likes PP said as soon as middle child was able they were play mates. They’ve gained a huge amount of confidence from having each other-they’re able to play and interact with other children, never any issues with sharing etc. Throughout first lockdown on particular I was so glad that they had each other and on holidays they’ve got a built-in friend. It also meant that there was no jealousy or resentment when the baby was born because at 20 months my DS didn’t really notice,I think he thought she was just here on a play date for a good few months! They absolutely do argue and bicker but,I don’t think that’s an age thing. I would have loved a simile age gap with third dc but it took longer to fall pregnant. Congratulations on your pregnancy!