How long should you wait before trying again after birth?

[turtle23]

You may all think that I'm mad, as DS is only 11 weeks old, but I am already thinking about number 2. I have sort of settled on September to start again (he'll be 6 months-ish) but would like opinions on whether this is a good idea. Thank you!

[1dilemma]

only you can say!

I think it's pretty normal to think about another soon after the first

however it is early days yet

no teeth
no weaning
no walking
no climbing
etc

(hopefully also no illness and no childcare expenses if that's a potential issue)

[turtle23]

Suppose what I'm after is someone to say it isn't that bad to have two close in age. I am a bit of a freak in that I love all the weaning, helping them walk at that funny angle that does your back in, potty training, etc. I've been doing it professionally for years. I am not a total weirdo though, do not look forward to teething! lol.
I was looking after a tantruming toddler throughout pregnancy and I'm running out of time age-wise...guess I've answered my own question!

[Catilla]

Don't the medical pros say that ideally your body should have at least 9 months to recover from the 9 months of pregnancy?

Personally I found it great that ds could walk, talk etc before I had dd. I could just about manage with only one pair of hands and one brain!

[moodlumthehoodlum]

I conceived ds when dd was 6 mo. At the time it seemed perfectly normal, but now I look back I wonder if I was just a bit bonkers. The little age gap is hard hard work but brilliant now.

[littleboyblue]

We've been trying since ds was 6m (he now 10m). My doctor told me I should be waiting at least a year.
i also read something a few days ago, forget where that said it takes about 2 years for your body to fully recover from pregnancy and childbirth.
I remembered this so I could use it as an excuse for still carrying extra weight!

[katylou25]

Yep theres 19 months between my two - conceived ds2 when ds1 was 9 months - ds2 v late!! It's fab although very hard work - especially now i've got 2 toddlers! I would say if you feel ready, physically for another pregnancy and went them close together I'd say go for it!

[Ilovebunting]

I was desperate for another until dd was 2, but sadly was (and still is!) an sp so couldn't really. Once they hit two it is an entirely different ball game and you go off the idea, so closer together is prob better imo

[1dilemma]

oh I see it sounds like from your post you know exactly what you are getting into and would be fine.

FWIW IMHO 1-2 is a walk in the park compared to 2-3 (but I do work full time as well.)

If you're running out of time then like you say different question really, would you always feel a little bit of regret if ds was an only child?

otherwise I think I was told have picked up what littleboyblue said

I've heard 2 close in age is easier

Good luck
I guess you'll be posting on antenatal soon

[ChukkyPig]

DH and I are both 18 months apart from our siblings and so both thought that was a normal gap.

I too felt ready to conceive again from about 10 weeks or even earlier - baby rush hormones I suppose!

I think TTC from 6 months sounds fab. Are you BF though? As this can interfere with fertility. My periods only came back when DD was 7 months. She is now nearly 11 months and periods are gradually returning to a normal cycle. Am hoping for a result this month! Not willing to stop BF though just yet to get pregnant IYSWIM.

So just to remember really, that trying from when DS is 6 months doesn't mean it'll happen immediately, you may end up with a longer gap than you thought!

[thebluefoxategreensocks]

My 2 little ones are only 16 months apart. I was surprised when I ended up pregnant when my daughter was only 7 months old (and was exclusively bfing - after all, my mum did the same and we were all about 2.5 years apart!). However, I think the close gap is great - my daughter & son are really close to each other, best friends - and it's great! So yeah, no need to put it off! I don't think that's too early to try for another one.

[thebluefoxategreensocks]

btw, as above poster said, bfing can make unpredicatable results! Although I got preg 7 months after 1st child, my youngest is now 15 months old and still no 3rd baby! So never know how things will go, but hopefully you'll get another one soon! Babies are lovely, aren't they?! x