When should I start trying for my second baby??

I would do it in 2-2.5 years if your husband is going to be deployed. That way you still get the free birth, but your husband will be around by the time you have two toddlers!

I have an 18 month old now and if we had done a 1 year or 1.5 year age gap (which is what we had originally planned) we would’ve had a really hard time! My husband and I can hardly juggle the one toddler, so I can’t imagine dealing with a toddler and a newborn by myself!
Military mamas are a different kind of strong I swear!

Babies are easy but toddlers ..👹

Currently 34 weeks with my second, I'm 22. My first will be 3 in May and this one is due 16th March. Timing wise this has been perfect. I don't think I would've coped if my first was much younger but I'm also glad they will be fairly close in age

I have big age gaps and small.
The older 2 have 7 years between them but they were very close and still played together but they were boys.
I suppose it depends on how long you want to have babies for. If I had my time again I would have done 4 year age gaps to make the most of each

3 to 5 is mine...no rush let this one grow up a little and then. Otherwise, it will be just crazy..hard time. I also wanna have time see her growing and all, then socialise myself again. I can't imagine having them almost at the same time. I wanna give my first time the attention and love she needs. Not just having all in once and not managing well!!! Also, there's no one helping or giving me advice so it's different. My family isn't here.

I would never call the last month of pregnancy dreaded, it’s a blessing if the baby has the time it needs to grow inside of you. If you’re having these thoughts I suggest reading Ina May Gaskin. Your Zen Mama. The First 40 Days. The 4th Trimester by Kimberly Johnson. Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen. These are all about a positive experience. There is also a great online course called In the Loop Blossom run by Courtney Adamo. She had her first two kids around your age (she has 5 kids now). Best of luck!

We are expecting our 3rd baby, which will make 3 under 3 and we love it!

One book I was reading (Real food for Pregnancy by Nichols) recommended a minimum to 18 months to 2 years between pregnancies to allow the body to fully replenish nutrient stores. She cited some research. I’ve heard this from a few healthcare providers. But it’s not something that’s heavily studied. Everyone’s body is different and you should do what’s best for you and your family.

That’s the decision for you and your family. I’m 23 and having my first. My pregnancy, so far (36 weeks) has been a BREEZE compared to other people’s stories. Little morning sickness, only gained 14 pounds, and my stomach has stayed tiny but I DEFINITELY plan on waiting a solid 5 years because I feel this next pregnancy/baby will give me hell and I’ll never get my body back lol.

My ob said it takes a year for your body to repair itself. I have a 5 and 3 year old boys. Everything went fine pregnancy and labor wise but boys.🤦‍♀️they love each other and they fight and try jumping off things 🤣

I found it easier with my kids closer together then the age gap. But that's me. There aren't a lot of us that would rather two or more kids in diapers at one time. As for insurance I'd plan for delivery a little over a year before discharge so all the first year visits are covered and 6 week follow up.

We have a 2 year gap and it’s really lovely. Also by having second baby in the same month all clothes are the right size/ season which is really handy!

I have 2 kids I waited till they were 3 years apart my son is 3 will be 4 in 5 days and my daughter is 4 months old

I had my third last Sunday.
I miss being pregnant so much, I adored my labour too.
All my pregnancies have been super easy and relaxed!

I can’t wait to do it all over again !

I have 3 kids under 3 and am pregnant with another and I will say, once that kid can run away and cause trouble it definitely makes it a bit tough when you also have a newborn to care for. It’s doable and you have to get into a good routine but i would have waited 2 years but had surprise twins when my son was 14 months old

I had my first 6 years ago and am now pregnant with my second i would wait a little bit

congratulations! i just had my first this pas august and i loved being pregnant! i cannot wait to have another but i am most definitely waiting probably 4 or 5 years, 1) for my body to heal and 2) because my fiancé and i still live in a one bedroom and we want to get married and have a home or larger apartment before adding anymore to this party 😅 if we were completely settled and stable financially, id start trying after 1 or 2 years. anything before a year, for me, would be too much for me to handle, meantally and i would want to give my body time to heal properly. my nana had 5 kids back to back, she said her body has never recovered fully from it

Have have a 5 yr old, a 4 1/2 yr old (bonus child), and now a 4 month old. We love having our boys a little older because the love to help with things! We are planning to start trying for our next once our daughter is 1 yr, but if it happens sooner or later then so be it! The dr did say I should give my body a year to heal though, which is partly why we won't start trying until a yr

Mine are 18 months apart it is hard but then are best friends

My sisters and I are 4-7 years apart and aren’t very close as I’d like. Very different views on everything, BUT my brother and I who are 18 months apart are super close and have the best relationship. We were best friends ever since we were little.

My goal is to have babies close together because it was a good experience for me. It’s all about personal preference though! Do what you feel is best for you and your husband ❤️🙏🏻

My husband and his 3 siblings are all 16 months apart.
For them its a neat, close knit relationship, but my MIL definitely had her hands full!!

I have a 12 month old, and he was/is a very sensitive velcro baby and now toddler 😬
I wouldn’t be comfortable with another baby until hes atleast 3.

Youll find your rhythm with your son, and once he gets older you may find the answer to how long to wait! 🤍

My first two are 19 months apart. We got pregnant when my 1st was 10 months old. It was hard when they were little, but they are best friends now. I couldn’t imagine not having had them so close in age.

On the other side of it, they are now 10 & 9 and I just had my 3rd. It’s so much easier! I have 2 great helpers with the baby, and they love him sooo much. I’m so happy that I get to see them love unconditionally. It’s easier because they can take care of themselves (for the most part) by making themselves food, getting themselves dressed/showered, doing their schoolwork with minimal help, etc.

I am 5 years apart from my brother and we were NEVER close. I was out of the house before he was even in high school. When I turned 30 was about when we started even having a relationship.

Point is, no matter what you decide, it’s going to be amazing. You do you! You got this.

I have a 6 year and I waited five years between the two

I had an unplanned section & became pregnant 4 months later. I ended up with another unplanned section but have been told to wait a year before becoming pregnant again. Having 2 under 13 months has been really tough & that’s with the support of my husband and family close by so i take my hat off to those that don’t have that. I think there’s probably never a right time to have another but whatever happens you’ll adapt & deal with. Good luck x

Ive got a 3 year old and 1 year old it's crazy haha x

I have three girls all 2 and a half years apart. I love watching them play, I think it’s a great age gap.

I waited until my son was 2. He will be almost 3 by the time this baby is born.

My two are five years apart and really close! I’m expecting my third and there will be a 3 year gap from 2nd to 3rd so 3 children in 8 years. Perfect for me!

I’m a high risk pregnancy and from all the extensive research I’ve been doing, to prevent another early delivery if it’s something you’ve experienced previously then it is highly recommended to wait at least 18 mos until conceiving again. It puts you in higher risk to experience it again especially if your children are less than 18 mos apart apparently. I definitely plan to wait that timeframe before trying again because I don’t want to put myself at risk, firstly, as I already would have a little one to take care of and needs me. Secondly, I would want to make sure me and baby number two have little to no risks in our journey as well!

Congrats to you and your family!🥳

In my eyes I think a two year gap is great!!!x

We're about to have our second and they'll be almost 2 years and a few weeks apart and I think it's perfect because my son is able to understand concepts a lot and help.

He tries to feed her through my belly button and talks about playing with her. He tucks in my stomach and kisses her. In the last few weeks its all he's talked about since we did a play date with a 6 month old baby. He keeps laying his head on my stomach and saying "sissy stuck." I think if I would have had her a few months prior it would have been more difficult because he wasn't understanding or had patience.

I'm 6-9 years older than my siblings and did not want the large age gap. I'm not super close to my siblings and they see me more as a mom figure so I wanted desperately to have our kids close together but that's a personal preference. I love the idea of our kids going through similar milestones and experiences and not have to do two separate things because one is super bored or having to pick.

Hunni I would wait im 26 weeks pregnant. I have a 19 month year at home and it's tough work keeping up with a toddler while being pregnant. I would least wait 3 years...

I’m 22 weeks pregnant and have an 18 month old. I second Samantha, it’s a lot of tough work to keep up with a toddler while experiencing pregnancy. It’s doable, and we survive but I was surprised at challenges I didn’t think about. I will say if my little was at the point of having been potty trained it’d probably be less challenging in some ways and she could be a little more independent of me- if that makes sense.