I have 12 months and 5 days between my girls and TBH it was very, very hard but DD2 was unwell and extremely high maintenance. I found things easier when I threw out the idea of schedules for DD2 and just took each day as it comes. Lots of times with all three of us sleeping together in my bed because that was the only way anyone would sleep during the day. Probably too much tv on some days for DD1 if DD2 was having an especially bad day. I definitely needed a double pram, even though DD1 had been walking for a couple of months. I found it so much easier to be able to go out knowing that both girls were secure and safe in the pram - nothing worse than one going in one direction and one in the other.

As PPs have said, you manage because you have to. Some days you'll wonder how you'll get to the end of the day but other days will be amazing. I love the age gap now (and have done for a couple of years). My girls are so incredibly close and loving with each other and I'm sure so much of that is because they really have truly grown up together. Having said that, I'm really looking forward to a 4 and 5 year age gap with my new bub. Will be lovely to have some one on one time with her while DDs 1 and 2 are at school/kindy.

I think you will find lots of advantages in a smaller age gap though, and you will all survive it!