Having Another Baby

How Long Should I Wait Before Having Another Baby?

• there is research to suggest that waiting between eighteen and twenty three months after the birth of the last child seems to be beneficial to the health of the youngest according to a study in the New England Journal Of Medicine.
• this time period allows the mothers body to replenish the nutrients lost through pregnancy and recover from the stress
• babies conceived less than six months after the birth of the last are more likely to be born prematurely or suffer with low birth weight
• babies conceived more than ten years after their closet  sibling double the risk of preterm birth
• children  build relationships particularly well with parents and siblings under the age of one and when over four. Under one, babies havn’t developed a sense of their own status, whilst those over four have had plenty of time to enjoy attention from their parents already

How Will Another Child Change My Lifestyle?

• impact on routine with existing children
• impact on sleep patterns of existing children
• impact on relationship with partner
• impact on return to work, working hours and income
• another child will draw on your  time, energy and existing lifestyle
   

How Will Another Child Change My Financial Situation?

• decrease in financial stability
• may require increase in household budget or tightening or the purse strings
• may impact on working lifestyle – consider the differences in full time and part time work
• cost of child care

Am I In Agreement With My Partner?

• are you both ready to do it again
• discuss any differences in point of view and don’t feel under pressure to go along with what someone else wants

 

 

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