Parenting: What is an Ideal Age Gap Between Two Children?

Frankly speaking, there is no ideal age gap between kids, but you have to be thorough about the pros and cons of it before extending your family. If you’re planning out to have more than one kids, then taking a decision when to have the second child is crucial. There are lots of advantages and disadvantages associated with each age gap. So here we have listed some important points to consider when you’re planning out your second baby.

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One Year Gap
Okay, so your first kid is going to have a buddy at his home. But before making the decision, read carefully the upsides and downsides of spacing your children a year apart.

Upsides:

•  You’ll become efficient as the situation will require you to nurture two infants simultaneously. You will face many challenges. You’ll have to give both of your baby’s equal attention. All these challenges will make a tougher and an efficient mother.
•  Your eldest child will not be bothered by the new baby. Often the elder child feels left out when a younger one is introduced to the family. But this won’t happen in this case. The eldest one will be too young to feel unwanted or lesser cared.
•  Your kids will become more like friends. They will bond with each other more efficiently as compared to the siblings who have a much greater age gap. They will enjoy playing together and all other learning activities.

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Downsides:

•  It can be hard on your body. Bearing two children back to back without any gap means your body isn’t getting sufficient time to recover. When a woman gives a birth to a baby, her body is depleted of iron and calcium. So if she becomes pregnant again immediately after giving birth, she can suffer from prenatal anaemia. Science says that it also puts you at the risk of giving birth prematurely.
•  It drains your physically as well mentally. Taking care of two infants at home can be very challenging. You will experience sleepless nights, too much breastfeeding, etc.
•  Your attention will be divided between two. You won’t be able to devote your 100% attention to a single child.
•  You can’t use your elder baby’s baby goods for the younger one. You can’t use the elder baby’s old clothes, cribs, stroller for your second baby. This means some extra investment.

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Two Year Gap

Upsides:

•  Your body will be ready. You will feel better after delivering your second child.
•  You’ll face lesser pregnancy complication. It reduces yours and your baby’s risk of pregnancy and birth-related disorders.
•  You’ll be more prepared to do the upbringing of your second child as your first child would be grown enough to be taken care by other members of your family.

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Downsides:

•  Your elder kid might feel jealous about the new member. Your first child will feel like he’s lacking your attention.
•  Your elder kid might act out for attention. Kids like to this often when they are lacking their parents’ attention.
•  It can be a bit chaotic. Your new-born baby will be too small to be left on his own while the elder one hasn’t grown up enough to understand the demand of the situation. You will forever be in a tug of war between your two kids.

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Three Year Gap

Upsides:

•  Your delivery would be normal and the safest. As your body has recovered completely from the previous childbirth, your delivery will have more chances to be normal.
•  You’ll have a lesser risk of birth-related disorders and pregnancy complications.
•  Your 3-year-old elder kids will be able to be on his own. He can play and enjoy some me-time. At this age, he would be perfectly potty-trained, which means lesser hassles for you.

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Downsides:

•  Your elder kids will be expected to be more considerate but as he’s too young for this, he will feel left out.
•  Your eldest kids might feel jealous about your younger kid.
•  He might throw tantrums or adopt bad habits to get your attention.

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More Than Four Years Gap

Upsides:

•  Your eldest kid will be able to handle everything better. He would be going to school and will be busy learning new things.
•  You will be at much ease. As you’ve already replenished your nursing skills since the last time you became a mother.
•  Your elder kid can help you out with things like keeping a watch over the younger one.

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Downsides:

•  Birth complications can be more common after this much time.
•  You might become tiresome after having this much gap between two babies. You might have forgotten your nursing skills and your body might not respond accurately.
•  Your kids won’t be familiar that well. Your younger kid will be fearful of the eldest as the age gap is big enough. They can’t enjoy the same recreation activities due to the age gap.

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