We initially wanted a 3-4 year gap between child #1 and #2. DD2 was unplanned, the gap is 18 months. It was very hard, especially in the first year and especially with PND thrown in the mix. It's starting to get a bit easier now that DD2 is growing up and the girls can play more together. But yeah, full on, and not a gap I'd probably choose again. It has it's benefits of course; my girls share clothes, I love watching them grow up together and learn together etc. But #3 will be about 4 years younger than DD2 there are definitely benefits either way.