To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy.
Based on the study findings, they suggest the optimal time between giving birth and getting pregnant again is 18 months, with a range of 12 to 24 months.
Gaps of over five years are associated with pregnancy and birth problems (not just because you're likely to be an older mum) (Conde-Agudelo et al, 2006). With bigger gaps, your children may be into different things so not as close until they're much older.
A 2-Year Age Gap
Sibling rivalry is strongest during these years and parents are often already struggling with a toddler who is developing a strong sense of identity and loves to use the word “No!” On the upside, a 2 year age gap works out pretty well as the kids get older.
Anything over 5 years is considered a large age gap. This could be planned or is sometimes a whoopsie or just situational, such as children from different relationships. A larger age gap doesn't mean siblings can't be close, it is just will be a different type of relationship.
6 years isn't too much of an age gap to not like the same things. Now that Birch can talk and run, the games they have in common have increased – especially open-ended, imaginative play, builds developmental skills for both of them despite their age difference!
So yes, larger age gaps are not as common as smaller ones. But that doesn't mean they are any less valid or ideal. Although you are somewhat less likely to meet a family with a four- or five-year gap—much less an eight- or nine-year gap—there are plenty of these families out there.
"The survey finds that the majority of respondents believe that two children is the 'ideal' number for family happiness, but the majority of respondents also have two children.
Experts recommend waiting at least 18 months between pregnancies because it reduces the risk of your youngest child being preterm or low birthweight (especially if you're over 35).
What's the best interval between pregnancies? To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy.
There's just as much chance that children much closer in age won't get on, either as children or adults. Seven years is really not too big an age gap at all.
There is a gap of 13 to 24 months between first and second child for 17.5 percent of Americans and a gap of 25 to 36 months for 17.2 percent of Americans. The CDC bases its calculations on the National Survey of Family Growth, which interviewed 22,682 men and women between 2006 and 2010.
It's not uncommon, especially in large families, and earlier generations. My parents both were oldest children and there were younger ones more than 10 years younger. I have half-siblings more than 10 years older than I am, and there is 12 years between my two youngest children.
Yet the newest pregnancy always seems to be harder than the one before it. While every pregnancy is different, it is not uncommon to find your second or subsequent pregnancy more challenging.
Not necessarily. If you had a straightforward pregnancy and birth last time, and you're fit and healthy, you and your baby are likely to be fine this time, too. Even so, there are a few things you should be aware of.
The 4-5 year age gap is definitely the easiest option. Once a child gets to four they suddenly get much easier. They understand everything and they generally have more patience and are very independent, so you've got much more time to look after the baby.
“When there is a significant difference in age, like 10 to 15 years or more, life experiences can be vastly different.” In relationships with a large emotional maturity gap, the more mature partner could end up carrying a heavier emotional load in the relationship, leading to exhaustion and potentially a breakup.
Women should wait at least 18 months before getting pregnant again. The 18-month rest period is called “birth spacing.” When the time between pregnancies is less than 18 months, her body may not be ready to have a healthy baby.
According to a Gallup poll, 4 in 10 Americans say three or more children is the ideal family size.
Women with two children are a bit less happy than their childless peers, with a 4-percentage-point gap (p < . 10). There are no appreciable differences in happiness for women with three or more kids; their levels of happiness are statistically indistinguishable from those of childless women.
A TODAYMoms.com survey of more that 7,000 mothers found that the least stressful number of kids is four, while the most stressful number is three. Scary Mommy blogger Jill Smokler told Today that she wholeheartedly agrees.
Studies show that the 4-5 year age gap provides the most stable relationship. Gaps more than 8 to 10 years show higher disillusionment, quarrels and disturbed interpersonal relationships, leading to separation and divorce Bigger age gaps might have worked well for some, but cannot generalise.
6 years isn't too much of an age gap to not like the same things. Now that Birch can talk and run, the games they have in common have increased – especially open-ended, imaginative play, builds developmental skills for both of them despite their age difference!
Having two children is good for your health
Three different studies looked at thousands of older adults and found the same thing: two kids was the sweet spot for health. The risk of an early death increases by 18% for parents of an only child. Also, the risk is higher for parents of three or more kids.
Benefits of back-to-back babies
Your children are more likely to share the same interests and play well together. You already have a lot of baby gear ready to be reused. You'll get the chaos of the early years over in one fell swoop (unless, of course, you go on to baby three!).