Small gaps between children

[Monicatatie]

What is it really like to have small gaps between children? Do you regret it? Or would you do it again?
I have a 2 year gap between dc1 and dc2, and 5 year gap between dc2 and dc3. I would like one more child, and if I do there would be a smaller gap (less than 2 years) between dc3 and dc4 as I'm already 38 and dont want to leave too late.

We have 5 years between 1 & 2 (2 losses between). 16.5mth between 2 & 3 (1 loss between), just under 3 years between 3 & 4/5 twins. 6 year gap between this one and our twins (2 losses between).
I found the big age gap the hardest as she'd been centre of attention so long she was quite jealous, only child and grandchild on both sides. Small age gaps are great and of course you don't get a smaller gap than multiples. Potty training was fun lol.
I'll be 37 when this one arrives, not ruled out more yet which most would think is crazy.

My 3 DC are all about 20 months apart. It’s been lovely. Hard at the start, though.

Following along, my two are going to be about 20 months apart.

Closest gap here is 13 months. Biggest is 6 years.
Gaps of 2.9 also. And other gaps!
Preferred the dc closer together.. Less sibling jealousy and double buggy =same nap times!!
Although teen dd's 15 months apart is Hell On Earth..

I'm 41. I have 9yrs between 1&2 (first and second marriage)

17m between my 2nd and 3rd
8 yrs between 3rd and 4th
And there will be 22m between 4 and 5.

I loved my 17m gap, my girls, despite being hormonal and feisty now love each other and are very close. I was 10yrs younger though so I'm not sure how I'll feel this time 😂

I quite liked the bigger gap between 3 and 4 as they should have been in school while I enjoyed dc4 but homeschool put a stop to that 😬

There's 2.5 years between my two and they are aged 8 and 5.5 and I'm due in 3 weeks with our last.

We deliberately planned this age gap as I was able to feed and wean my first and enjoy the first 2 years before the second was born. And then enjoyed both kids for the last 5 years. My older child was a very mature 2.5 so no having two babies at the same time.

2.5 years is my smallest gap and I wouldn't choose a smaller age gap personally but that's because that's what I'm used to and if you include work and time off for mat it works best for us this way.

I have 26 month between DC 1 and 2. I love that age gap as DC 1 was old enough to understand about the new baby but can't remember not having her baby brother in the family. I'm currently pregnant and will have a 24 month age gap between DC 2 and 3

13 month gap between mine. Lots of advantages, they like doing similar activities, there was a period when they both napped together, we got the baby and nappy stages out of the way relatively quickly. I don't regret it at all but the first year or so was exhausting and intense. If I'd had a bigger age gap (and if I was younger than I am now) I may have considered trying for a third, but I couldn't have faced going back to the baby stage again after the intensity of having two so close in age.

I have 2.6 years between DD1 and DD2, and they'll be 21 months between DD2 and DD3.

So when this little one joins us in Autumn I'll have a four year old that's just started reception class, a 21 month old toddler and a newborn baby - going to be busy but I can't wait.

I have 2.5 years between my two and by the time I have my third they will be 6 and almost 4 - it’s a bigger gap than I wanted but we had a miscarriage last year. Now I’ll just be happy with a take home baby. My opposite neighbour has 1.5 between her two and always looks on the verge of losing her mind 🙈😂

@Ameteurmum I had a neighbor that had 15 month gaps between three kids and she went grey by the time the third was born so I understand that look of being in the verge 😂

I'll have a 22 month gap, everyone just tells me how hard it's going to be so I'm looking for positivity

@Mishmased how funny! My mum had 3 under 4 and then waited 20 years to have me so there must be something to leaving a longer gap 😂😂😂

@Ameteurmum haha my mil had one child every 8/9 years (3 kids in total) as she difficult pregnancies, now that is madness.

@AhaShakeHeartbreak12 I think 22 months is still doable congratulations! If that's all you know you just crack on 😁

16 month gap between my two who are now 22 months and 6 months. It's actually been better than I expected. First couple of months were tough but I think they are with any newborn and any age gap. We're at a point now where everything from 1pm is in sync....they'll nap same time, eat dinner together, have a bath, milk, story, bed. It's just the mornings that are a bit tricky and all over the place. I said to my mum today I can't wait until they're on the same schedule which I don't think is far off. If you can afford to, I'd definitely keep the toddler in childcare for a day or two Just so you get a break and spend some time with your youngest. It is also great fun for the elder one as I find it tough taking them both out still when this little. All in all I'm glad I've done it and look forward to (hopefully) reaping the rewards when they can enjoy activities and play together.

You don't know how long it would take though OP so it might not be a very small gap but may be worth starting TTC if you want another

I had 28 months between #1 and #2. 18 months between #2 and #3. I found the smaller gap much easier to be honest.
My oldest was extremely jealous of his younger brother and really drove me crazy whenever I was breastfeeding, despite me giving him lots of attention, cuddles, etc.
My 18 months old was really unconcerned about the baby, went about his business- I found it so much easier to cope, physically and emotionally.

I have 19m between DD1 and DD2 and 27m between DD2 and DD3 ( with a loss in between).

I loved the 19m gap as there was no jealousy and they have always been a team and are still v close at 12 and 11. It was hard physically initially having 2 under 2 and then 3 under 4, but it 's the best hard work I've ever done. The elder 2 used to be on the same routine of naps and bedtime which helped a lot. All 3 are great friends as they have all done everything together.

3 under 3. If I was to do it all again I'd do it the same way.

I only had a 17 month gap between my first two. It was really hard work until they were 3 and 4. After that the best thing ever. They were brilliant at amusing each other, sharing a room was fun and days out suited both. Plus people would always invite both to parties or playdates etc.

When I got remarried decided to have more child but being older the gaps are large. Trouble getting pregnant. Anyway all so much harder. The kids are never all at the same stage. There needs are so very different from each other. Younger kids get up early but older ones stay up late. Very very tiring.

I have 16 months between my two. The youngest is now 7 months and it has just started to get easier now she can sit up a bit more and play. It is the best thing ever when they play and they smile so much when with each other. Huge bonus too, the oldest still needs a nap so every day I get 2 hours to myself when they both nap 🙌🙌🙌.

A week short of 24 months here and it’s perfect. They’re now nearly 4 and 2. DS struggled a little initially with his newborn sister but now loves her to pieces (most of the time when they’re not fighting over the same piece of Brio track, Duplo, Peppa/Blaze on TV) and can’t remember life without her. I found pregnancy hard with a toddler but would do it all again in a heartbeat

Thank you everyone for your lovely responses. It's amazing to read all the positive comments.