Age Gaps

What Is The Optimum Age Gap Between Children?

There is no right answer on this one. There might be circumstances in your personal life that mean it's sensible to wait less or more time before trying for another baby. For example:-

age
fertility
ease of conceiving the first time round
existing siblings
current health

There is no magical gap that makes life easier and better for all concerned. Every age gap will have advantages and disadvantages.

What Are The Advantages Of A Small Gap?

the labour intensive periods of nappy changing, and feeding are concentrated in one short period
enjoy the feeling as the youngest child grows up of moving on, once and for all, from nappies, bottles, mushy food and so on.
if you're working it may be easier to sort out childcare for two or three children of similar age together
easier to entertain children during the school holidays as they're more likely to want to do the same sorts of things

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Small Gap?

the harder work it is for you in the early months and years
it can almost feel like having twins, with all the demands of two babies at one time. Life will probably be a hard slog for a while
getting out of the house, travelling and getting a good night's sleep may be difficult.
a lot of further education costs within a short space of time.

What Are The Advantages Of A Large Gap?

mental break between children
ability to concentrate on each child without feeling constantly under pressure. But other parents who relish a sense of freedom as the baby years are behind them might not be as pleased to be back to breastfeeding and night-time waking.
getting your body back into shape before diving again into pregnancy is important.

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Large Gap?

more time to devote to the newest baby while the older child or children are at playgroup, nursery or school

How Can It Affect The Children?

There's some evidence that a baby born within a year of an older sibling will on average lose four IQ points compared with a baby born two or more years apart. A twenty four plus month gap could be more advantageous for the intellectual development of the younger child.

Some parents like to explain a new addition to the family to an older child once she’s a little older so he or she can be prepared for a new arrival. Other families prefer the fact that their existing child is so small that he or she will never really remember life without a little brother or sister.

Are There Any Medical Implications Associated With A Large Or Small Gap?

A study reported in the British Medical Journal in 2003 found that getting pregnant within six months of the previous pregnancy resulted in a higher risk of complications such as birth difficulties, premature delivery or losing the baby shortly before or after birth.

An older US study suggested that it was medically beneficial to wait two years between having one baby and conceiving another. It claimed that babies conceived less than 18 months after the birth of a sibling was forty per cent more likely to be premature or have a low birth weight.

What's the best advice?

The best advice is to wait until you feel physically, emotionally and practically ready to increase your family.

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