Hellobee Boards Topic: Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:59:20 +0000 snowjewelz on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2462892 Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:21:18 +0000 snowjewelz 2462892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Right now we're planning for 2.5-3 year gap. If I want 2 I'd literally have to be pregnant next month (since I think I'm out for this month). I don't really choose it based on what's easier or harder.. I just know that I'm not ready right now and I want more time with DD and to enjoy "normalcy" for a while. NovBaby1112 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2462409 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:47:19 +0000 NovBaby1112 2462409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Mine are right around 3 years apart and I honestly can't imagine having them any closer. The difference between my daughter at 2 and 3 is like night and day, she's very independent, helpful, can do most things on her own...don't get me wrong she has her threenager moments, but i think it would have been much much harder if they were closer together. blackbird on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2461747 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:12:54 +0000 blackbird 2461747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I really like our 2 year age gap, but it certainly has its struggles--if i'm putting T down, E will barrel in and interrupt his nap. Sometimes i end up just sitting on the floor with them both climbing all over me and whining because they each want me and all I can do is offer body parts to them, lol. But they're sweet together, too. My body had the hardest time with the pregnancies, probably because I wasn't fully recovered enough for the second. I've had back pain since 3 months PP :( T.H.O.U. on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2461739 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:05:20 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2461739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Our first were a 3 year gap and it worked out really well. DH was able to handle her "threenager" stage probably better than I could. And she was calm and mature enough to understand and appreciate the baby. At age 4 and 1, they are great together. She can watch tv in the living room by herself while I put him down for nap. She understands he's just being a baby when he knocks her stuff down or she needs to go play by herself where he can't get her stuff. Now we are having a 2 year gap and I'm a bit more scared. cat620 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2461685 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 08:00:42 +0000 cat620 2461685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I wanted my kids to be closer to 3 years apart, but they ended up being just over 2 years apart. It is challenging, especially since my oldest isn't in preschool yet, so I have both boys home with me every day. My 2 year old wants my attention and wants me to constantly play with him and entertain him. He doesn't always listen when I ask him to be quiet when his brother is sleeping, and I have to constantly watch him to make sure he doesn't hurt the baby. He will often hit him over the head with a toy or try to sit on him, etc. I'm constantly telling him no. But I think it gets easier as they both get older, and I'm hoping being close in age means they will be good friends. Pumuckl on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460862 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 15:19:11 +0000 Pumuckl 2460862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 2 year gap because nowadays the way my near 3 year old acts is way harder to handle than he was a year ago. mrsjyw on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460855 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 15:06:14 +0000 mrsjyw 2460855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We have a 2.5 age gap and it's been a pretty smooth transition thus far... Ds1 was potty trained, in his twin bed, and started preschool. He's so independent and it definitely helps that we have one kid you can verbally reason with when caring for a newborn/infant. If we go for maybe baby 3 though it'll likely be a smaller gap because I want to be done w the baby making/carrying phase of my life. I'm sure it will be harder but I think the smaller age gap will have perks too! My brother and I are 20 months apart and we've always been very close! LovelyPlum on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460849 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 14:56:36 +0000 LovelyPlum 2460849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I always, always thought that I wanted 2 years between my kids, since there are 2 years between each of my sisters. DH is 3 years older than his brother and loved it. I thought we wanted to shoot for 2 years, but it didn't happen over here. At this point, the minimum age that's going to be between our kids is 3 years, because we can't TTC until this summer at the earliest. I'm starting to make my peace with it. It will be cheaper at daycare, and LO is just now starting to be more helpful. Still, it's hard to change my perception of what our "ideal" family spacing would be! meredithNYC on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460734 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 10:24:53 +0000 meredithNYC 2460734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Well, my second was born when the first was a month away from turning 3. Things that helped: oldest being very independent, potty trained, away at preschool two mornings a week. Things that did NOT help: dealing with a crazy 3 year old and all that drama that entails. Despite the chaos that reigns in my household now, I would like to try for a third. That being said, due to my age and my desire to be done with pregnancy and newborns sooner rather than later, I think we will likely plan to have closer to a 2 year gap next time. So we will see! Pirouette on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460717 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:49:49 +0000 Pirouette 2460717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I dont think i am the kind of mom who would thrive with 2 under 2, so our goal was a minimum of 2.5. We'll have a 2.75 year gap and i think it will be ideal for our family. My lo has grown up in so many ways in the past few months and i think she'll be a better big sister in 6 months than she would have been a few months ago. But i think it's such a personal decision! travelgirl1 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460707 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:34:34 +0000 travelgirl1 2460707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think it depends on the type of pregnancy you have..we have a 2.5 year gap and it is great. We are going to shoot for a shorter one next time because of my age. But, I think knowing how horrible my morning sickness is, I will miss out on a lot of the nice baby/toddler stage with DS if we are successful. I was such a bad mum to DD when I was pregnant, but at least she was more independent at that age and could just play. If she had been younger with more needs, we would have struggled even more. Mrs. Sketchbook on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460706 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:29:39 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2460706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Mine are 2.5 years apart and life is great (aka manageable). I don't think I could do a third without a "tweener year" where I'm not breastfeeding or pregnant. Helps my sanity to have that to look forward to. LO1 picks up after himself, gets himself into carseat, and goes to school. I wanted them to be close together but that didn't happen thanks to finances and miscarriages. But if we have a third I would shoot for the same spacing now. Happygal on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460701 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:24:43 +0000 Happygal 2460701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think a lot hinges on the children's temperaments, so I can't really say one or the other. Pros and cons to each one! skipper2010 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460699 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:21:28 +0000 skipper2010 2460699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My vote would be for 2.5 if that was an option. I can't vouch for a 3 year gap, but I can honestly say that for me a 2 year gap would've been too soon. I have a 2.5 year gap and am still amazed at how different DS is at 2.5 than at 2. They grow SO much SO fast, and looking back at his 2 year birthday, he seems like an entirely different kid. delight on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460634 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 07:10:15 +0000 delight 2460634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I voted for two because that's what I wanted. My brother and I are three years apart though and have always been super close. At this point I'm just hoping for a 3.5-4 year gap. How naive I was to actually think you could plan these things :bummed: LindsayLou on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460609 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 01:31:29 +0000 LindsayLou 2460609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I voted two years, although I think it's depends on the circumstances, and every spacing has pros and cons. We plan on shooting for a 2 to 2.5 year spacing. I like the baby stage and feel that I can handle it. My husband isn't as much of a baby person, and wants to move on to the next phase. I'm the oldest of 3 kids. My brother is 2 years 5 months younger than me, and our youngest brother was born 2 years 9 months after that. Because of school cut off dates, my middle brother and I were 3 years apart in school, but my brothers were only 2 years apart from wax other in school. They were in a lot of the same activities as a result. Raindrop on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460605 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 01:18:33 +0000 Raindrop 2460605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I wanted 2.5 but got 3 and I sort of think maybe more of a gap would be better. Haha. I am starting to love 3 because they seem to be able to play now that the youngest is one and can almost walk. Hoping they will be friendly but who knows! Good luck! I am sure whatever happens it will be prefect for your family. :) lamariniere on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460599 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:51:40 +0000 lamariniere 2460599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 3! But it's all I know. rattles on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460597 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:34:13 +0000 rattles 2460597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I really love the 2 year gap! If I were planning my dream family, I'd do four kids, x2x3x2x. I'd want the 3 in the middle for a little more breathing room (no more than two at home or in college at a time). mrskc on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460593 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:20:26 +0000 mrskc 2460593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My 2 are 22 months a part and while it has its perks, never again. lol If we go for #3, it will be closer to a 3 year gap. Kids change so much between age of 2 & 3. My son is so much more independent at 3 compared to when he was 2, that it would have made things a lot easier dealing with a newborn. QBbride on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460584 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 23:33:39 +0000 QBbride 2460584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I love my two year age gap but I have nothing else to compare it to. I think there are pros and cons to each spacing. 2littlepumpkins on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460583 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 23:29:28 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2460583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think they both have ups and downs. We're doing 3 years and I like it. Rockies11 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460577 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 23:05:33 +0000 Rockies11 2460577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did 2 under 2, which was very hard, so for the next one we are planning on doing 3. californiadreams on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460571 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:43:17 +0000 californiadreams 2460571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Well I've been a mom of 2 for all of 3 days now so I've got tons of experience ;) They are 3 years apart and so far I love it because DS3 is pretty independent, verbal and really understands everything and has been amazing with his baby brother. I hope it stays this way! I can't imagine it would have been the same when he was 2. What sucks is because of the actual years they were born, they will be 4 years apart in school and I find that too much, makes me sad. I would have preferred 2-3. Torchwood on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460570 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:43:11 +0000 Torchwood 2460570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Less than 18 months between pregnancies would increase my risk of preterm labor again (which really, why did no one mention that when they told us it was okay to get pregnant again 3 cycles after R?), so we'll have at least a bit over 2 years, probably closer to 3 if we decide to have another. I'm hoping to keep it less if possible, as I'd like them to be close. I would NOT want 2 under 2 though. HLK208 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460569 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:39:52 +0000 HLK208 2460569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Loved the 3 year age gap vs. 2. LO1 was 3 years, 1 months when my second was born. LO2 was 2 years, 1 month when my third was born. When my second was born, I loved that my 3 year old was independent but loved to help. When my third was born, my second was potty training and it was really difficult to give her my time when I was nursing on demand. She also had some pretty big tantrums and I felt like I didn't get to hold my infant as much because my two year old needed me (which was fine - my third was okay but I felt guilty). She had a ton of accidents and potty training took much longer than it did with my first. Overall, the 2 year age gap was more stressful! Finfan on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460561 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:16:54 +0000 Finfan 2460561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We are about 3 5 years between our girls and it is a great gap for us. I just did not feel ready to try again until DD1 was 2.5 and we were fortunate to get pregnant relatively quickly. I would have even been happy with a 4 year gap too. Rainbow Sprinkles on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460555 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:07:28 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2460555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think 22-26 months is perfect so I voted 2 years. dolphin on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460551 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 21:57:33 +0000 dolphin 2460551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I didn't vote because I think 2.5 year is ideal for me :happy: catomd00 on "Is 2 or 3 years the ideal spacing between LOs?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-2-or-3-years-the-ideal-spacing-between-los#post-2460512 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 21:02:04 +0000 catomd00 2460512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I like 2 years but don't think 2 or 3 years apart will be very easy! I've heard that 1 year and 4+ years are best as far as easiness goes! I am 3.5 and 4.5 years between my sisters and wasn't really in the same stages as either of them when we were younger, so I'd choose 2 year gap over 3.