I was just wondering if anyone had advise about how long to wait before you have another baby? Is it best to wait til the older one can understand better or is it better to have them fairly close so that the older one doesn't have to wait so long before he/she can play with the younger one? Just wanted to hear others opinions. Thanks

Well, I have a four year old stepdaughter who was 2 1/2 when I had my first daughter. She was at an age where she understood about having a baby and was very excited about having a new sister. All and all, it's gone very well with them. I had my second daughter when my eldest was 19 months old, and that's been a great deal more difficult. My toddler is GREAT with the baby but I honestly don't get a moment's rest. It's difficult. I'm glad I had them close together but I think I'm going to wait a few years for the next one! Honestly, a 2 1/2 year age difference worked out really well for us.

I had my second son when my elder son was 1 year and 2 weeks old. I highly recommend waiting longer than that - my poor body had no time to recover from the first birth - and I'm not talking about getting into shape. Hormones were a wreck and I was completely wiped out.
People always ask if they are twins too, even though it is perfectly obvious to me that they are different ages.

__________________
Umbilical Cord Blood Storage | Breastfeeding Advice and Information

I was wondering the same thing... because I am currently in medical school and i was going to wait after my 6 years before i even think of having any more children and i have a 8 month old right now... so i don't know if i should wait that long.

My son is almost 10 and I would really like to have another child. I have wondered about the age difference and how that might affect him but personally I think it's all in how the parents feel and when they are ready for another child.

That's all great advise, thank you. I do agree that a lot of the time it depends upon the parents. If they aren't ready than it's definitely not a good time to have another one. On the other hand if it does happen a little sooner than you would have hoped parents have 9 months to adjust to the idea before the new one comes and usually are ready and excited when she/he arrives.

Doctors usually advice a gap of at least 3 years gap from the last baby. This would give time to strengthen the uterus for another development. Besides, there is no generation gap between the siblings.

I read somewhere that ob/gyns recommend at least one year after having a child before trying for a second, but not more than five years. I've known plenty of people with children farther apart than five years, but I think it has something to do with advanced maternal age and/or regulating hormones.

__________________
Tigriz
Mom to Alex - 1/21/06

My brothers and I were 3 1/2 years apart and we played together fairly well for awhile anyway.

My oldest boys are 2 years apart. They are great companions for each other and still like to do their own things.

My newest son is almost 7 years younger than his youngest brother. TOOOOO far apart. Although the older kids are great and can help out alot, I forgot how to do everything! It's like starting over only worse. When I was first starting out, I had been babysitting ALOT so I kindof had an idea of what I was getting into. This time around, I knew nothing. It had been almost five years since I even changed a diaper.

Things are settling down, though.

I recommend 2 to 3 years.

Don't know if it's relaly appropriate for me to post here as we have an only child, however I had originally wanted more and would have tried to space them 2 - 3 years apart. My brohters and sisters are all two years aprt, however I am five years after my sister (I'm the baby) and that was a big difference in my relationships with them versus their relationships with each other.