How did you go with two close together?

[sasha]

S is almost 9 months old and DH would like to start ttc now! I'm off to the GP on Monday for a breast exam and will chat to her about it - I'm not concerned about weaning so much since he already has only two b/f a day. (I had to supplement with formula when I went back to work). My weight is fine and I'm generally healthy although could probably eat a little better ie less chocolate! So from the point of view of the pregnancy I'm not that concerned, more when the baby arrives, iykwim.

How did you all cope with your babes close in age? If I did get pg right away it would mean they'd be just over 18 months apart - and I know that lots of you have had babies much closer together than that, so it's definitely doable! I don't have any family up here apart from my sister, and she has three of her own, plus she works, so she's supportive but in words only (which is obviously a great help, of course). My PIL are coming over hopefully sometime next year but they're relying on selling their house so who knows when that will be? And I don't know where they will be living - somewhere close to us, hopefully but depends where they can buy. Plus we are moving to a new suburb which is quite a way from where we live now.

I'm just concerned about how I'll go, and what things to beware of so that S is alright - he's so lovely right now and I don't want him to miss out on anything just because we want to have them close in age.

Any advice or stories you want to share, I'd be really grateful to hear them!

[~*Niadalla*~]

I am 17 months older than my sister, and My mum wants me to have only that much of a gap between my babies!
lol
She said she loved it!
She had her mum and dad around, but noone else. I can't exactly tell you how it went when we were little, I don't really rememeber! lol
But I get along REALLY well with my sis. I have a bit of a connection with her, and we finish each others sentences!
From what my mum says, it's a great gap to have!
Good luck with ur decision. I am thinking about number 2 now, and number 1 is only nearly 4 months old! EEKKK!
lol

[Hoody]

I started ttc when DD1 was 10 months only and fell pg around her 1st b'day. My girls are 20 months apart and even though DD2 is only 9 days old so far i'm loving it. DD1 still has a day sleep so i still get a little time to myself. Feel free to pm me if you have any specific q's for me but as i said its still early days

[visitor1]

I say go for it babe!!

My girls are 10 months and 27 days apart. So yes i never waited to TTC after DD1 was born. It was no mistake, DD2 was very much wanted and planned to be conceived so early.

I have days where its extremely hard with 2 so close in age. Naps are hard to co-ordinate as is feeding. But over time i have adapted well. Chelsea has no clue who Jasmine is and does not understand she is tiny and isnt a playtoy.

I too have no family down here, they are all in NSW. I have limited friends who i can chat with and who always offer to help me if i get stuck or need time out. I guess it also helps i have DH home 24/7 so makes things a tad easier on me.

I dont think S will miss out on anything honestly. He will always have you and Dh regardless of when a new bub comes.

My personal opinion is the closer the age gap the better. The older they get, the more they dont wanna share you or they are going thru a difficult time period etc.

My 2 are so close they are like twins and will grow up very good friends..well thats wat im hoping for!!

[MantaRay]

Sasha, firstly you do not have to wean if you TTC or fall pg. This is entirely up to you, but bfing while pg and even tandem feeding (still feeding the older one once the baby is born) is quite possible. Secondly, I have 19 months between my boys and I can tell you that I love it. But it is hard work so I think you need to be aware of that. Given that DH is keen I would think that would be a big help, surely he will help you out lots when the baby arrives (and before, being pg with a toddler can be very hard too). For me the worst thing was being so sick during pg no 2, and the odd days when one is teething and one is sick or something like that, where they both need things at the same time. The first 12 weeks or so were really tough as DS2 was very colicky. But the honest truth is that I love it and wouldn't change it for anything. The boys light up at the sight of each other, and have loved each other without jealousy since day 1. This makes me so happy, I couldn't imagine having things any other way.

[katkins]

I have two who are 11.5m apart and I am so glad I did (even tho it was an accident!). They are best friends and they love each other so very much. I would do nothing differently. It is hard for the first few months, but once the new bub is settled in and sleeping ok, all you do is correspond naps so they go down the same time (sometimes this means holding the older of the two out a little) and then you have a rest too. I will also say you have to learn to do the housework when they are awake. Playpens are GREAT for the first 4-5 months as this stops the toddler being able to get to the bub and use the new one as a toy. I found that if I asked the toddler to tell mummy if bubs was crying she would and it just all fitted together. It was wonderful, even if stressful to start with. You learn very quickly that if u are feeding the new bub, have a cup ready for the toddler cause they will want to sit on u too, so just tuck them in the other side and put an arm around them while they drink their drink. This way they feel included in that as well.
Seriously. You adapt to whatever situation you are in and in time it becomes if not easy, at least not so stressful.
Goodluck hon on whatever u decide. I'm sure you will love it either way!

[mbear]

my younger two are 19 months apart. We conceived #3 when #2 was 10 months old. I was fully b/f too.

My DH is a firefighter - therefore does shiftwork. He is home 6 days out of every 8 - although he isnt in the house, he is in the garage, but if i need him, i can call upon him.
I do my housework in the night, when they asleep. My days are too hectic to be worrying about cleaning the stove, or mopping the floors. I pick up things here and there, and will hang washing out. But day time is the girls time with their mummy.

I found the first trimerster of pg hard with two little ones. ALl i wanted to do was sleep, yet i had to care for them.
Some days are harder than others. Some days i think to myself 'what are you doing?'.....i think if your pondering the idea your decision is almost made for you. Its hard work, but its a fun hard work, if that makes sense...

goodluck!

[~Amy~]

mine are about 20 months apart. Its not so hard anymore, but when Bodhi first came home it was pretty hard for me. To be honest i really would of waited a bit longer. It was quite hard on Mya having another baby around. She even went through a stage where she would kick & hit bodhi then say " go away now". It used to break my heart. She also went through this thing where she always wanted to be the baby..ie...kept laying in the capsule & trying to put his nappies on. She was just that little bit to young to understand that he was staying & she was so used to be the centre of everyones attention.
She absolutly adores him now She always wants to jump in his bed & give him cuddles & help me with all his needs...nappies, baths etc...
I tried to prepare her for having another baby around & honestly thought she would be fine. As soon as Bodhi came home tho, it was like everything i prepared her for she just forgot.

Anyway, thats me i love having them close in age now......just be prepared that sometimes it can get hard, buts its all worth it

[sasha]

Thanks for all your replies. We're just going to see what happens. I've got so much on now with moving and Christmas I'm not sure we'll even have time to DTD Every baby is different, I suppose. I guess I worry that the next one won't be as easygoing as Sebastian is, and that will make things more difficult. But that could happen no matter how close they are together, I guess!