11 month gap between babies

[mich80]

I have a 12 month old and a 7 week old baby (boy and a girl). I must admit things are pretty hectic at the moment but im enjoying every moment of it, sort of like having twins. But i know in the future they will be the best of friends. I enjoy watching them grow and learn!!:)!

[Peaceangels]

Hi Mich80, my two are 14.5mths apart in age and are the best of friends, they are lost when the other is not around.
I'll admit it was hard in the beginning with two babies, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Even though they are at different stages developmentally, they enjoy playing alongside each other, learn from one another and hug and kiss each other all the time.
I have had the comment a couple of times "are they twins" when they are sitting down in the double stroller - they wouldn't ask this question if they were standing!!

[Heids]

Oh........ I think you guys are just fantasic !!

My son is 4 months old and we are trying from now as I have finished bf, when I tell family members and friends that we would like another bub soon... they look at me shocked and laugh !!! Why is this soooooooo :mad:

It's nice to hear something positive from mum's with real life experiences :D

Hugs
Heids

[toms1]

Hi All,

I am very relieved to have read your posts & finally can see other mums who have their babies close together & talk about it positively.
I have a 12 month old, & am 8 months pregnant with no 2. I must admit i am very scared. i am scared no 1 will get a little neglected, & even jealous of the new arrival.
we always wanted our babies close together, but we were more thinking an 18 month gap rather than 13 months. i was in shock when i first found out i was pregnant, as i felt like my body had just gone back to normal & was disappointed i had to go through the whole pregnancy thing again. i have been alot more trepadacious this time around, as i've been alot more exhausted this time around.

has anyone got any advice on how to make them close? was there any sibling jealousy? or are they too young to really get to that stage.

[maybe1more]

Michelle- my two brothers were 11 months apart, and althought my mum said it was hard when they were young (two in nappies) they were insperable! Good on you, you might do the hard yards initally but it will certainly pay off!

[Narelle]

Oh Michelle!

I admire you but I do not envy you :D

I think it's great, not sure I could manage but then I guess I thought that about Chloe when I was pregnant and suprised myself!
I think we're going to start ttc in dec so if I got pregnant straight away there would be about a 30 month gap.

[Valosgirls]

Oh Michelle I know exactly how you feel!!:) My 2 girls are 12months apart and I found that the first year passed by in a blur I was SOOOoo busy - but in saying that all that hard work pays off so hang in there.

My girls are 3&4 now and completely inseparable - I dont know what they would do without each other. You are just going to love the pay off coming your way:p

Toms1:) I found that the littlest one was just too young to understand the whole jealous thing? and by that stage they are too busy having learnt to walk and investigating the whole world to really care about the newborn. I just had to stop the toddler from smothering the baby too much with hugs and kisses lol - I hope that you get the same experience.

[mummyof5]

Hi all,
I too have short gaps between some of my children. My eldest 2, boy then girl, are 11 months, 22 days apart, and though they could gleefully strangle each other some days, they will still crawl into each other's bed for comfort, and walk through the house arms around each other...(usually after having dobbed on each other 5 mins before!!). It was a bit of a mad house when they were little, as my husband went to the US for 5 months, when they were 1 year 1 day, and 10 days respectively. We managed though, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I then had a 3 and a half year gap, before having my 2nd daughter, followed 11 months 9 days later by my second son!!! Apparently I am very fertile after having a baby!! There is a bit of a difference this time though, as my youngest son has a severe developmental delay, and acts as though he is 12 months younger than his actual age. Funny thing is, I had my last child 12 months ago, so everyone assumes she is the one closest to him in age, as, though he is now 3, he acts like a 2 year old, and is smaller and lighter than his 12 month old sister...
When my 4th child was born I had a 5,4 and 11 month old, so it was pretty full on, more so when child no 5 arrived and no 4 wasn't walking yet (but then neither were either of the 11 month olds when the next were born!) I wouldn't have it any other way, as I hope they will all grow up and be friends as adults, and also have children around the same ages. Maybe that's wishfull thinking...LOL!
Well, that's my story. Remember the full on days are worth it!! Though I won't miss changing nappies.
Enjoy your children.
Kylie.:)

[mummyof5]

Hi again,
Just one bit of advice a friend who was 11 months younger than his brother once told me. Apparently not all same sex children who are close in age appreciate being treated like twins, and his older brother was particularly annoyed by this. With our close ones being opposite sexes, we don't encounter that so much, in actual fact we get more whinges when they don't get exactly the same!! Work that out?? We do make sure to remind them of the age gap occassionally and to treat them accordingly. Other than that, treat them the same as any siblings, and remember that your eldest one will never remember life without the other one in it, so don't beat yourself up too much over the small gap...
Hope this helps,
Kylie.