https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:31:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-824465 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 19:53:10 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 824465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love that someone bumped this thread. Before I first posted, I figured I would do my best to convince DH for a 2.5 yr age gap (he originally thought 3-4 yrs), but today, HE suggested that we try for #2 much sooner. He must have been thinking about some of the pros to closer in age kiddos. Thanks again to everyone who responded!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-824422 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 19:27:45 +0000 mrsmate 824422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really wanted my DC to be close in age - my sister and I are 1.5yr apart and close. But bc it secondary IF it didn't work out, so they will be 35mo apart. It's actually fine bc 1)I feel blessed to be having another baby at all and 2)DD will be in preschool 3x/wk so LO2 and I can have a lot of one on one time (not to mention it'll be easier on me too). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-824244 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 17:00:37 +0000 matador84 824244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is really interesting to read! I have a 9 month old and I have been kind of sad that the closest possible he would be to a next sibling would be nearly 20 months. Reading this makes me not feel so bummed about it though! (at least in some aspects!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823984 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 12:20:27 +0000 misolee 823984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only have one but child spacing is in my mind too. My brother and I are 13 months apart. As a new mom, I ask my mom how she did it with us so close in age. She says the baby stage is a little hard but raising us was over at once and she liked that. He even skipped a grade so we were in the same grade since 2nd grade. We graduated together, left home at the same time, etc. After we both went off to college 12 yrs ago, my parents have been enjoying hobbies, traveling, etc. On the other hand, my moms friend had 3 kids spaced out 3-4yrs each, and she just sent her last son to college. She's now getting to enjoy travel and things like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823936 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 11:39:00 +0000 FarmWifeGina 823936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 26 months apart and in the beginning, it was hard. HARD, HARD, HARD. But I think it depends on the kid and the situation. In our case, I struggle with IGT and low milk supply, but was determined to EBF Tractor Girl. However, Deere Boy could do nothing for himself as far as changing his own diaper or feeding himself or anything. And we have no family nearby, so when Farmer Man went back to work after a few days, I was left alone with a newborn and a 2-year-old, unable to do anything but nurse for hours and hours at a time. So, yeah, that was hard. But now that Tractor Girl is the same age Deere Boy was when she was born, I think the age difference would have been easier if she had been born first. She's just so much further ahead with talking and comprehension than he was.<br /> But anyways, now that they're older, I wouldn't trade the age difference for the world. I would have gotten more help, done things differently in the beginning for my own sanity, but that's it. They fight and pick on each other, but they are truly the best of friends and the way they love each other just melts my heart.<br /> Cricket will be born when Tractor Girl is 33 months old and I think I will like this age difference. At least, in the beginning. I hope that they will all be as close as Deere Boy and Tractor Girl are now.<br /> Personally, I would not want to space my children any further than 3 years apart. Because, by the time the youngest child is 3, you're thinking of potty training and no diapers and they're gaining more independence and, in my case, I don't want to screw all that up with another newborn. I'd rather get the newborn stage over and done with, but without completely losing my sanity, and move on to the more independent years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823830 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 10:41:22 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 823830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've only got one, but we'll probably end up waiting for a 4-5 year age gap. I wouldn't mind them closer together, but with child care costs, I'd have to quit my job if we didn't have our son ready to start school (read: go someplace that is basically free). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823418 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:26:54 +0000 Mrs. Train 823418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: not nosy at all. My oldest was adopted and then I found out when he was 2 months old that I was 2 months pregnant. My twins were born at 37 weeks so he was just shy of nine months old when they were born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823406 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:13:01 +0000 erinpye 823406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours will be 22 months apart. My sister and I are 21 months apart and super close, so I wanted that for my kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823370 Fri, 31 May 2013 23:36:38 +0000 tysonja 823370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>our LO's will be 15 months apart :)! i can only imagine that it'll be pretty difficult at first, but we'll take it a day at a time and i'm sure it will be all worth it in the end :). </p> <p>yes we did plan it this way, but didn't exactly anticipate that we would get pregnant with #2 as soon as we started trying. i'm not sorry, though! hehe :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823359 Fri, 31 May 2013 23:30:05 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 823359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: oh my word....8.5 months!! Is it far too nosey of me to ask how that's even possible?</p> <p>Big fat kudos to you....you're super mama!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823335 Fri, 31 May 2013 23:00:55 +0000 Lindsay05 823335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good thread! Ours will be 18 months apart and i'm not going to lie, I get freaked out somedays just thinking about how busy it's going to get. I think about naps, and feedings and bedtime and my head almost spins. However, it is good to hear how some moms say it wasn't THAT much harder having 2 than 1. We planned them to be this close btw. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-823329 Fri, 31 May 2013 22:53:05 +0000 Mrs. WinterWheat 823329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Between DD1 and DD2 - 25 months<br /> Between DD2 and EDD #3 - 23 months</p> <p>I like the spacing of my first two because DD1 has never had real problems with having a new person invade her space. But DD1 also chose herself that she wanted a big girl bed and to start potty training at 20 months. So by the time DD2 came along the hardest part of having two close was not really an issue. I am finding the third time around more challenging then #1 to #2. I am just more tired chasing a 3.5 year old and a 17 month old. So if I could go back I might consider increasing the gap between #2 and #3. Especially if I could have known how tired I would be right now.</p> <p>ETA - and yes all three were planned first two even down to the month. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-759056 Fri, 03 May 2013 07:49:19 +0000 mamimami 759056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>22 months apart. We planned it that way and it's fine (I mean, considering with all the stuff people have already mentioned). We probably won't have a third, but if we do, we will DEFINITELY wait until everyone's out of diapers and somewhat self-sufficient. Mama's tired!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-758873 Thu, 02 May 2013 23:52:13 +0000 HLK208 758873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3 years, 1 month. I really like the age gap but probably would have tried earlier for #2 had we not had some big changes happening. I love that my son was so helpful when my daughter was born! He was the first to get a diaper, pacifier, blanket, you name it. Now that she is interacting and playing more - I can see them bond which is so fun. The hard parts are mostly the terrible three's. However, a friend of mine has a 22 month gap between hers and although her kids are close - they throw tantrums at the same time whenever I see her, which seems so hard. Overall, I wouldn't change the age gap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-758861 Thu, 02 May 2013 23:39:06 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 758861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>21 months. We were shooting for 24... I just say read Honeybee's comment. She pretty much covers it all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-758803 Thu, 02 May 2013 22:41:22 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 758803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 26-month age gap. We wanted anywhere from 2-2.5 years. </p> <p>Pros:<br /> - terrible 2's and an infant seems preferable to the terrible 3's and an infant.<br /> - DD had no jealousy issues and adapted to having a younger sibling right away.<br /> - DD was also pretty independent when her brother was born.</p> <p>Cons:<br /> - We had to quickly transition her from her crib to a big girl bed so we could use the crib for the new baby. The transition was smooth, but there was pressure to hurry since we didn't want to buy a new crib.<br /> - DD was still in diapers at 2-years old, and once the baby came... we've put off potty training. We probably would've been able to potty train her at 2 if it didn't coincide with the arrival of the new baby.<br /> - It was pretty tiring being big and pregnant while having to chase around and CARRY a toddler all the time.</p> <p>Overall, I'm happy with our age gap. I agree with others that there will be pros/cons with any situation, but you just learn to roll with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-758583 Thu, 02 May 2013 21:00:14 +0000 T-Mom 758583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an exact three year age gap. It's really good. Dd was out of diapers by the time DS arrived. They play together really well. Three years is pretty much ideal for me, but if I were to have another one, I wouldn't wait as long.. That's mainly because I'm already in my 30s. Agree with others that you make it work whatever it ends up being. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-758192 Thu, 02 May 2013 19:34:47 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 758192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all for your input on this!! So helpful :) DH would like to wait FOREVER til LO #2. I'm not buying it... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757451 Thu, 02 May 2013 15:18:57 +0000 Mrs. Train 757451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is 8.5 month between my oldest and his twin brothers (that was a big fat surprise) then my daughter came along two year after that. My oldest was 2 weeks away from being 3 when she was born. She was sorta planned. We wanted to start but didn't think it would happen right away but it did. </p> <p>Three in a year was absolute madness and sometimes I don't even know how we survived. But now they all play together and it's nice. The two/three year spacing for my daughter is really nice. They play together but were also able to play on their own when she was a newborn and I needed to nurse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757401 Thu, 02 May 2013 15:07:27 +0000 Koolbreeze 757401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boys are 2 years 6 months apart. I'd always wanted kids 2-3 years apart. I love the age gap! T (DS1) has been in love with and totally protective over his little brother, S, since day one. He didn't have much trouble with jealousy. I think the hardest part when S was born was just making sure T didn't feel ignored while I spent so much time breastfeeding S or holding him or whatever else. Now T is almost 4 and S is 15 months and they play together really well. T makes up games and has S play with him (though S has no idea whats going on, lol). Of course they fight...but that's gonna happen no matter what :P T loves to help S though, feed him, calm him down, etc.. It's really great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757381 Thu, 02 May 2013 15:04:05 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 757381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours are 20 months apart. I love that they are close and the adjustment hasn't been bad at all. BUT for me it was really hard to be pregnant with such a young toddler that still needed to be carried a lot. I was thinking that if we had waited until DS was about 18 months it would have been much easier because he was so much more independent at that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757361 Thu, 02 May 2013 15:00:19 +0000 purrpletulips 757361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD and DS are 29 months apart. </p> <p>We knew we wanted them around 2 years apart and timed TTC for #2 so I wouldn't be pregnant on a family trip to Disney World.</p> <p>I love that DD (3 yo) is willing to help with DS (7m) and loves him like mad. It is hard though because she has recently taken notice of all the things we do for him, like feeding and getting him dressed, but expect her to do herself and has started trying to convince us to do them for her. It is nice that she is potty trained but at times I think it would be so much easier to not juggle DS while helping DD go potty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757357 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:59:40 +0000 Honeybee 757357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids are 21 months apart; there are actually a few of us on here with similar child spacing, so I think it's a pretty popular age difference! Ours were planned; we started TTC again when DD was 13 months, and we hoped to have them around 2 years apart.</p> <p>The positives are that the transition from 1 to 2 was pretty seamless. We were barely out of the baby stage, so we were still used to diapers, sleep schedules, sleep deprivation, etc... Also, my oldest adjusted to having a little brother almost immediately. She honestly does not remember being an only child, and we had pretty much zero jealousy issues (except when it comes to grandparents dividing their attention, lol!). And now that my son is fully in toddlerhood, they play together so well. They are interested in most of the same things, and in some areas they are at similar levels, so they are very close. </p> <p>The challenges... the whole first year of my son's life we have been so tired. He basically hasn't stopped teething (already has 14 teeth in!) and there's no "sleeping when the baby sleeps" when you have two kids at home. The other challenging point for this age separation is that you end up with two kids in difficult phases at the same time. DD hit her terrible two's right when DS was born; after a few blissful months, DD is now going into the terrible three's (which are so much worse, ah!) right as DS is walking/talking/starting to throw tantrums, as well. My husband tells me things will be much better in a year, but I joke that we might not all make it through the year, lol! The final challenge to this child spacing is the financial burden of having two kids in daycare at the same time. It can get very expensive for full-time care for two.</p> <p>Overall, I'm pretty content with our child spacing. I always say this is the optimal age difference for the kids, if only it weren't so difficult for us parents! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757348 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:57:16 +0000 chopsuey 757348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't plan this, but ours are 21 months apart.<br /> I'm not sure what the ideal age gap is..<br /> It's pretty tough having 2 this close in age. I think once they get older it'll be a lot of fun though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757335 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:52:46 +0000 runsyellowlites 757335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a HUGE gap between G &amp; P, 7.5 years. In many aspects I totally feel like a ftm all over again. It definiltey wasn't purposefully done... I was single from ages 2-6.5 so really had no way to add to the family! lol</p> <p>I like the gap, but at the same time I would've loved for G &amp; P to be closer! It's such a larger gap it's hard for them to relate to each other. Oh well, he's still an awesome big brother!</p> <p>Our next will be around 3 years younger than P... that's the plan anyways! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757296 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:45:38 +0000 Rubies 757296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By the time #2 shows up, my kids will be 2 years, 2 months apart, which is just right for us...I think. I mean, we planned it as such for them to be anywhere from 2-3 years apart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757292 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:44:37 +0000 looch 757292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it matters...there are so many things you can't control! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757285 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:42:59 +0000 Mrs. Bee 757285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>originally we planned on having kids 3 years apart. now i'm glad they're 22 months apart because charlie was WAY easier in his 2's than his 3's!</p> <p>i think it somehow works out no matter what you decide to do. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757247 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:37:22 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 757247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I must admit, I laughed a little on the inside when I read 'child spacing'. Both kids were happy accidents and are 13 months apart. At first, I didn't love that they were so close together in that 'baby' stage but it's growing on me. Especially since I haven't had time to get used to DS STTN yet, sleep deprivation isn't so bad, and because everything's still very fresh, I remember what to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-more-than-one-kiddo-childspacing#post-757240 Thu, 02 May 2013 14:36:00 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 757240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Thanks! Me too - I see so many pros and cons to all of the different options...and thanks for fixing my board choice - I can never seem to find the right place to put things... </p>