As parents, we must have had visions early on, on how many children we want for our marriage. However, an important question that always dwells inside our mind is that when should I get pregnant for my next child?
Well, every age gap has its benefits and disadvantages both on you and the kids, as it can also affect the relationship between the siblings.
1 Year Age Gap
Pros:
- You are efficient at handling babies because the experience is still fresh. Changing diapers, making milk, and handling a crying baby won’t be a big problem for you.
- Your children are closer to each other – almost as close as twins do. They will also most likely share the same interest, friends, and toys.
- Your children will also go through similar stages in the coming years. So, they will most likely use hand me downs from their older siblings.
- Your eldest will most likely not be bothered by the existence of a younger sibling because they have never felt one-on-one attention for a long time.
Cons:
- Your body might not be able to take it. This is because your body needs a sufficient amount of time to recover and if you went through a C-section delivery previously, it is hard if you want a normal delivery for the next one.
- Your baby will also be at the risk of having a preterm birth, stillbirth or even born with a lower than expected birth weight.
- You will also be at a higher risk of having baby blues.
- Baby gears can’t be shared because your eldest might still need them.
- Your eldest still needs your attention and it is going to be hard for you to juggle between both.
2 to 3 Years Age Gap
Pros:
- Your body is ready and healthy enough to conceive and deliver a new baby. So, you won’t be exposed to as many birth complications than having only a year gap.
- You have finally become an experienced mom.
- Your eldest might not need your attention that much and may have been potty trained and will show that they are self-reliance.
- Your children will also play really well together.
- Baby gears can also be passed down and you won’t have to buy a new one.
Cons:
- Most mothers have experience of their firstborns skipping nap time altogether and it would be a constant cycle of you looking after them.
- Sibling jealousy might be more intense at this age because they suddenly need to share their parents’ love.
- Your firstborn might also regress. They will most likely start to baby talk again, finger sucking and accidents in potty training which may be common in toddler years.
4 Years+ Age Gap
Pros:
- You will most likely not need to go through a C-section again.
- You will be able to have more one-on-one time with your baby. This is because at this time your eldest will go to school. You are able to give the lavish amount of attention to your new baby just like you have had with your firstborn.
- Your firstborn will also be your helper. They will be reliable in looking after their younger sibling when you go for toilet breaks.
- Your younger child will also pick up his/her older brother/sister’s spoken language. Which makes it easier for you.
- The younger sibling is less likely to be diagnosed with autism.
- You will be at ease at the thought of having been a parent after all these years.
Cons:
- Your baby period is extended and it will feel like never-ending.
- You are more likely to get complications due to being an older pregnant mommy.
- It may be tough for you to handle sleep deprivation as you are older now.
- Your children might also not have the same interest.
- It is going to be hard for you to send and pick them up for school as both are in different schools and have different schedules.
- You might also not be as knowledgeable as you think you were because you are a little rustier now.
So, at which age gap do you think is the best for you and your children?