So now that you have one baby, you can’t wait to do it all over again, right? There are various schools of thought on the ideal spacing of babies. Some feel it’s too exhausting to have children back to back, others say that’s precisely the way to go. Adherents to the latter philosophy say the difficulty of having more than one baby around pays off later, once the two infancies end almost simultaneously. Most agree the first child will probably be slightly jealous no matter when a younger child arrives. On the bright side, there are plenty of benefits to having a sibling. Doctors say having babies too close together can create medical problems. Studies show that getting pregnant within 6 months of giving birth may increase risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Some women can get pregnant again soon after giving birth, others may not be able to conceive until six months after pregnancy, or until they’ve finished breastfeeding (though doctors stress breastfeeding is not a fool-proof birth control method). In the end, experts say, child spacing is a highly individual decision.
Dr. Greene
“Second Pregnancies”
"There is no ‘right time’ for a second pregnancy; many factors need to be considered when deciding to try again. These include the age of the mother, her health, the emotional status of each family member, and the financial well being of the family. [. . .] In my opinion, any time an expectant mother and father are both excited about a second pregnancy is a good time." …read the full article
Baby World
“I’d Like another Baby, But…”
"Taking the decision to start a family is probably one of the biggest you will ever have to make. Even if you have always wanted children, bringing a new life into this world with someone else is rather awe-inspiring . . . and downright scary! But was it as terrifying as the prospect that now faces you: whether to add another member to your brood?" …read the full article
Raising Kids
“New Baby? What About The Age Gap?”
"Research suggests that the age gap of 2-4 years is the one that is likely to result in more rivalry. Unfortunately, this age gap between siblings is the most common. Most parents plan their children according to pressures on their own time and give little thought to the likelihood of sibling rivalry." …read the full article
BabyCentre Australia
“Are You Ready For Another Baby”
"Researchers have tried to tackle this question, and while they can’t say definitively that every woman should wait two to three years between births, many of the studies do settle roughly on that time frame." …read the full article
Web MD
“Pregnancy Spacing Affects Outcome – Very Long and Very Short Intervals Increase Risk”
"Babies born to women who get pregnant very quickly after having a child or wait many years between children are at greater risk for potentially serious delivery-related complications, including premature birth and low birth weight." …read the full article
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Children, Youth And Women’s Health Service
“Spacing Babies”
ABC
“Wait for the Second Child”
Babble Australia
“Anxieties”
