Age Difference Between Sibilings?

[Jayden's Mom]

I have a 4 month old son, and I know i want to have at least one more child. Im just not sure how far apart should sibilings be? I think i should wait at least 2 years before trying to conceive again. But how far is too far?

[Ms Savvy Mom]

I'm right there with you. We have a 6 month old son and started kind of late. I'll be 36 tomorrow and know the clock is ticking. I think I'm comfortable with a 3 years age difference. My reasoning behind this is that I'm the middle child in a family of 3. I have a brother 4 years older and a brother 1 year and 9 months younger. I don't remember my mom even being pregnant with my younger brother or him as a baby. The earliest memory I have of him wasn't until he was about 2 years old. Maybe because I was a baby myself. So I can imagine how hard it was for my mom. I also think 3 years age difference is a good age because I remember entering high school thinking it would have been nice to have an older sibling be a senior when I was a freshman. My brother had just graduated when I started high school so I missed out on having someone there to watch over me incase I needed it. Luckily I didn't need it. I think it would have been more difficult if I were a boy because its seems the male freshmans got the worst of it. I remember that being a big deal when I was ready to go into high school. Boys dreading becoming freshman because they were so picked on. I'm curious to hear what other people think is a good age difference.

[Jenniferhwalsh]

I am a 37 yr old Mom and finally had a beautiful baby girl after YEARS of trying. We are working on number 2 now. Baby is almost 7 months.
This is a personal choice, no matter the age, there will be trials and successes.
Lots of diapers in my case but ;o)

Best of luck !!

Jennifer

[Anci]

we have a 11 months daughter and we want to have another baby, but I don't want the age difference to be to big..I 'm thinking 2 or 3 years....My sister and I are 4 years apart and we are very close now but I remember when we were kids that we used to fight a lot and we didn't get along at all...that's why I don't want to wait to much...

[Milena]

My sister and I are two years apart but we never got along (now we do). My aunts & uncles (my mom's siblings--she was born in 57) were born in the years 61, 74,76,and 77. The first two siblings don't really interact with the last 3. The last three all had there "fights" when they were younger, but what siblings don't? Now they all get along famously and hang out with each other a lot. I am close to them too since we are all pretty much around the same age (I was born in 1980). I actually consider my aunt (born in 77) my best friend, and I know she considers her older sister her best friend as well. Hope that wasn't confusing! :)

[Zicea Becks]

Hmm...

my oldest is 13...the next oldest is 8. then I have a 7 year old girl, a 5 year old girl, 4 year old son, and a 2 year old girl.

my 8 and 7 year old are VERY close.

my 5 year old and 4 year old have nothing to do with each other. they get along, but they don't really play with each other. The 5 year old tries to tag on with the 8 and 7 year olds. then she kinda just lets them be.

the 2 year old doesn't want any of them touching her (more on that later).


Honestly, if i had a choice, they would've all been at least 3 years apart. but here they are.

it's cool if they have each other and common interest, but from experience, it's crazy having babies that close together (less than 2 years apart).

you'll be running behind one (crawling and climbing...and in the case of my 4 year old son, flipping off of the sofa when he thinks i'm not looking), while fat as a walrus-pregnant with the next.

i think age doesn't really matter all that much...with my kids, it's the personality differences more so than the age.

[Eibhleann's Mommy]

I'd like to know what others think, too. I'm 36 and have a 15-month-old. I think I want to have another child, but I'm not ready right now and I have asked several people I know what it was like to grow up an only child (just in case)...I'd love to know that, too!

I have 3 brothers and we're all very close now. I'm the second oldest and the only girl and I remember when my youngest brother was born I was really mad at my mom for not giving me a sister. We didn't always get along growing up because we're all really close in age (37, 36, 35 & 31 now) and my youngest brother was always trying to act older so he could hang out with us. It makes me feel bad, but I honestly think that now my brothers are probably my 3 best friends! I think closer in age (1.5-3 years apart) is good, so there's enough difference that the kids can grow up as individuals and have their own friends, but they can still relate to what's going on in their siblings' lives, too. But, that's just me.

[Zicea Becks]

If I were you (at your age) and only had one child, but wanted more, I would go on and try for baby #2. You never know if your eggs wanna dry up.

I've had several friends who were all healthy, no issues. they were about 36/37. Still young. But they waited a year or so. and when they went to actively conceive, nothing happend...eggies were as plentiful!

One of them went through all these painful (physically and emotionally) alternatives, only to be told she is just gonna have to adopt if she wants a kid. She was only 37!


But on the other hand, if you're cool with the one baby, then go with that. and whatever happens in the future will be a bonus....

[Seymour Daniel Freidlin]

I think 2 - 3 years is ideal.

[Noemi]

ok, i have a 2 year old and a 3 year old. It is hard at first, but it really does get easier. Alot of Sibling rivalry, but it was all worth it. I do have a different bond with each of them though. As they are becoming older, i really do see how they are changing and it's really becoming easier for me. They r 11 months apart. I think it's adorable to have 2 little ones. And they communicate with each other. So if u want another, i wouldn't even worry about how far apart they are. So i have 2 and i am not going to have another. I just do not want to have a midle child. I guess cause i was a middle child. My mom had 4 of us in a row. my bro and i are 11 mos apart. he is the youngest. And then i have a sister a year older and then another bro 2 years older. That must have been tough. I'm just happy with what i have right now cause i was told i was never gonna b able to have kids.

[Christine]

My kids are almost 4 years apart and I really wouldn't have it any other way. The older one was able to understand that the baby needed attention and entertain herself when I was busy. Now that my baby is bigger (17 months) they are beginning to play together really well because the big sister can help the little one do things. I think personality is more important than age difference when it comes to how well they will get along when they're older.

[twocatsandababy]

I was talking about this with somebody the other day. My brothers and I are close in age, one is two years younger and one is one year older. I never got along with my brother who was only one year older and still don't. He was and is very competitive and jealous of me. I get along much better with my younger brother who is two years younger. And my two brothers get along best with each other, being 3 year apart. Based on my own experience and anything I've observed in other families among siblings, I think children should be at least 2 years apart if not 3 or 4 years apart. Then the older sibling may be more protective and nurturing than competitive. Their roles are more defined and thus they enjoy each other more.

[Margarita]

I think ideally 2-3 years, but I would consult with your OBGYN to see what your options are. I think the longer you wait, the higher the risk for the future child. If it were me, I would definitely go for it if you're up to it!