Hello!

We currently have a soon to be 2 year old and are thinking that now is the time to start trying for baby #2 so that they’re not too far apart in age. I’m just wondering if there is anything people wish they knew, or wish someone told them, before they have their 2nd?


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  • I can’t think of anything. No doubt they knew that I probably wouldn’t listen so they saved their breath


  • Just go for it ! Relax and prepare your child on the coming of a new sibling and all will go well.


  • The hardest for me was going back to the sleepless nights. And dealing with a toddler too. I also felt I had to push my toddler away too much to attend to the baby at times (and I felt sad about it). But in time things recover themselves.


  • My eldest son is 8 and our youngest is 2. We knew there would be challenges becaus our eldest has special needs and needs lots of attention but we included him in everything. From taking him to all our scans, letting him pick clothes at the shop for his brother, including him in the naming process, letting him help organize the nursery to buying him a present from his new brother to say thank you for reading and singing to me while I was in mummy’s tummy. He ended up being so protective over his little brother and his best friend


  • There is no perfect time for another child, it is just whenever you and your family are ready. I have two years between my first and second. They can be great friends or the worst of enemies, depending on the day and their moods. If / when you have a second, talk about it a lot with your first child, buy them a doll to ‘ practice’ with, and when they come to meet their new sibling we found it worked well for me not to be holding the baby and to make sure I said hi and cuddled with the firstborn before introducing him to his new sister


  • I think it will not be easy with 2 but once you get into your routine, yes you will be fine!


  • no go for it. my gap is 2 yr and 3/4 and its good. only one in nappys. they are just playing together now


  • Buy your older child a doll to learn to be gentle


  • just enjoy and there is no right or wrong answer here!


  • I had my kids eight years apart meaning my daughter is like a little mother to my son. Yes I wish I had had them closer together, but this way my daughter understands. Keep in mind that no one ever tells you, it does not matter that you did it before, this baby will be completely different, reach milestones at different times, and have a different personality and not everything that works for number 1 will work for number 2. But then its great watching them play together.


  • Good luck! There are pros and cons to all age gaps but just make sure you are all ready to welcome the new addition to your family. There is no right or wrong time.


  • Children can all be different so they will probably be completely different to your first.


  • Ours are 2.5 yrs apart and I think 2 to 3 years apart is perfect. The eldest is old enough to understand sharing and gentle playing, but close enough to play together. My advice is buy books like “Mummy mummy, what’s in your tummy” and “you’re going to be a big brother / sister” to help the eldest understand what’s going on (they really helped with our first). Also, advice from a friend at work who has 5 kids .. get the new baby to buy their sibling a special gift and make a big fuss over how the baby loves the first one so much, etc. This worked for us too! Good luck :)


  • it is a lot easier as you know the ball park!


  • All the very best to you and your family.


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