Age gap between siblings

[MeganN91]

Hi everyone. So in December 2019. We decided to try for our second child. At the time my son was 3. We thought it would happen easily like it did with our son. It took us until December 2020 to conceive. Unfortunately in late January we had a mc . I was absolutely heart broken. Our son turned 5 yesterday. I was so up for trying again for a second child. Now I'm wondering will there be a problem with the age gap. I can't go another year of ttc , last time it took over my life. Anyway , does anyone else have children with a bigger age gap ? And how did you find it.

Thank you x

I don't have experience with that gap, but my sister in law does and so does my best friend. They found it amazing. Eldest in school so you can do all that baby stuff with your baby in the day.. think play groups, baby swimming (anything) and your baby gets that special 1-1 time like your eldest!

My nephews are now 11 and 6 and get on perfectly! And remember the gap closes as they get older.. your eldest one day will be 30 with the youngest 25...

Also my husband and BiL have 6 years between them and they are the closest compared to his siblings that are 1/2 years older and younger than him!

Do it! Don't think about it

There's 6 years between my brother and I and we're really close. Good luck xx

My age gap is 16 years between my eldest and baby that's about to arrive x

Larger age gaps are great - they don't squabble over toys, the older one helps (sometimes!), there is a more older / younger dynamic which I think is nice. Good luck.

We have 1 child. My husband and I have always said we wouldn't even think of trying for another until our 1st is settled at school. We wouldn't want another baby while our 1st was so young. A 5-6 year gap would be perfect for us. When he's settled at school I feel I'd be more able to give my 2nd baby the same attention I gave my 1st. He's 5, he started reception last September (2020). Initially we may have thought about trying for another within the next year or 2, as we feel he will be properly settled by then. Obviously now with the situation we wouldn't even consider trying for another so soon. Will all depend on how things are and what happens.

My mum had her children 10 years apart though. There's 10 years between my brother and I, 10 years between my brother and sister, and 20 years between my sister and I. Which was so nice because I was able to me so much more involved.

We have 5 years and 4 days between our eldest 2, had 2 mc between them. Our current also follows 2 mc, our youngest 2 recently turned 6 and our others will be 9, 10 & 15 when she is due.
We had a lot of jealousy from our eldest when we had our 2nd. She was the only grandchild on both sides too so found it hard to share, she adjusted after the 1st few months though.

5 year age gap between my first and second. So far it's been brilliant! Eldest is at school so I get 1-on-1 time with the baby during the day, there's been no jealousy from the eldest (he adores his baby sister), eldest is fairly independent can do stuff like go to the loo by himself, be left alone in the living room if I need to pop the baby down for a nap etc... he also loves being my 'helper' and fetches me water from the fridge, nappies, wipes etc... It's also nice to have a child old enough to have a conversation with! I forgot how much you crave conversation when you're around a baby all day, so I love it when my eldest gets home from school and tells me all about his day lol!

I have 5 years between me and one of my siblings too and we get on really well as adults and I really looked up to him growing up so I'm hopeful for the future for my two too.

Oh and also I was glad my eldest was the age he was when I was pregnant with my second. I could explain that I was tired because I had a baby in my tummy and he'd be happy letting me have a cheeky nap next to him on the sofa while he watched some cartoons. I was grateful that he had that level of understanding and I wasn't always having to run around after a younger child whilst heavily pregnant (and with spd!).

We have a seven year age gap and know a few other families with the same and we all actually quite like it. They get on quite well and we are able to have one on one time with each. It has some logistical challenges sometimes, but small age gaps have their own challenges as well. There is no “best” gap.

I have 5.5 years between DC1 & DC2

There will be 5 years and 9 months between DC2 & DC3 when he/she arrives.
So 10.5 years between eldest & youngest

I would have preferred smaller gaps but it didn't work out that way unfortunately

They get on ok, I'm sure when eldest is a teenager they may not be as close but that will work itself out again in their twenties.

I had cousins who were 16 months apart, same sex....never got on
Even now in their 30's don't have each other's phone number. Completely opposite ends of spectrum.

Sorry 4 years and 9 months

Thank you for all of your replies. It's definitely reassured me. We will go for it x