Pregnant AGAIN / have a 5 month old baba

[naomi94]

I have just found out I’m pregnant today , we have a 5 month old baby boy. We are happy about it , but we are aware it will be hard work.
however I’ve been reading online, that falling pregnant within first year can cause problems with new baby? So now I’m a little bit worried.
also if any of you mummas out there have 2 under 2 and have any advice that would be great 😊

Congratulations. It’s generally better for your body to have a bit of a longer gap, but you’ll be fine. You’ll be busy! But lots of pros to having them close together too 🙂

I’ve been reading online, that falling pregnant within first year can cause problems with new baby

What sort of problems?

I've got 3 under 3, obviously means the younger two were conceived within a year of the previous one being born, and all 3 are perfectly happy and healthy (exceptionally cheeky too!) so please don't worry!

You are at higher risk of having some complications so all the more reason to look after yourself, make sure you have good support from friends and family

I had two with a 14 month gap . The GP suggested I stop breast feeding the older one at 9 months but I'm not sure if they'd even say that nowadays . Can't think of any particular problems. They grew up playing together and that was nice .

I think (but don't quote me on this) that there is a higher (but still low) risk of the placenta not implanting optimally, leading to low PAPP-A and higher risk of baby being small/premature. Don't think there's actual research on this, just anecdotal evidence that a lot of pregnant people with low PAPP-A had two pregnancies in short succession (most often miscarriages followed by a new pregnancy). There is however a study (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30383085/) that links maternal and fetal complications to short pregnancy intervals. Although again, the risks over all are still very low.
Try and look after yourself, physically and mentally, and you and baby will most likely be fine.

Put aside at least 10 minutes per day of 1 on 1 time with your eldest. Give the baby to someone else, or let them nap, and be clear to your eldest that this is their time with mummy. It can be tricky to even find that time if you're on your own with them both, but it's so important!

Thanks all for your replies! I really do appreciate them. We generally did want them close together and actually had the conversation about trying when baby turned 1 , but this little blessing decided they wanted to come earlier lol. @Mommabear20 can I ask about your transition from 1 to 2 and at such a small age gap what new items did you need to purchase etc? Sorry I only ask as I’ve no idea what my little boy will be like at 1 , for example we have a babyjorn bouncer for him which he loves (we would like for new baby) but will he still be using these types of things? Hope that makes sense

@Dolly531 the transition for 1-2 wasn't as bad as everyone said it would be, but routine is definitely your friend!

We needed to get a double pushchair as DD still needed to go in too. Rather than a 'newborn' pram, we got a standard double pushchair that could lay flat and got a newborn head support for baby, so that we didn't then have to buy a second pram when baby out grew the bassinet part. We have the Joir Aire Twin Stroller.

Our DD only had her cot and high chair as far as baby stuff goes. She'd out grown her playmat and jumperoo a few months before DS was born.

I'd recommend getting the Maxi-Cosi 360 swivel car seat for your older child so baby can have the one your child is currently in. The 360 is isofix and can be rear facing and then also forward facing as your child frowns and is suitable up to 4 years old.