What Age Gap For the Third Child?

[ellie&miasmum]

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on how close a gap for the third child. My eldest DD has just turned two and 2nd DD is 7 months. My partner is quite a bit older than me so we don't want to wait too long before trying for number three. But at the same time I don't want to be driven crazy by the little buggers!! Has anyone been there and had them all close together? The first two are 17 months apart and they're great together. We would love that again but I don't know if I could cope. Any advice!!

[the_queen]

No advice from me (I haven't even gotten number 2 out of me yet:D) but just wanted to give you a big round of applause :yelclap: :yelclap: You sound like a supermum!!!!!!!

I think it kinda depends on you, your family situation, your temperament, etc etc. Me personally, I know for a fact I couldn't deal with 2 in nappies at the same time, so for me my rule is minimum 3 years between kidlets. But then again, like I said, I'm only just having number 2, and I was pretty young when I had Vallerie, and maybe I'll feel differently when this bubba is here.


Good luck with your decision!!:thumbsup:

[Blessed Mum]

Hi ellie&mias mum,
I am in the same predicament except 9.5 yrs between my two-lol. But we are wanting a third and soon but not too soon. So I hope you don't mind but I'll watch your thread to see what others think/recommend.

Cheers Tara

[Funkychicken]

We have 2years and 2 months between our older two and thought we were done with babies when lo and behold after 5 years along comes our third one! How it happened is a whole other story, but, we feel we couldn't have planned it better if we tried. Our DD started prep this year and I feel like I have a first bub again. It is so lovely to have him all to myself during the day. I can goo and gah all I like without worrying about 'sharing my love' around. I'm just living every little moment with him as this time around I am so aware of how fast they grow and I want to savour every little bit of him (can you tell I'm in love with him?).
This is only our experience but I highly recommend having a third bub when the other two are at school. I've watched other mums have a third or fourth when they have one in kinder and the baby gets dragged all over the place because of the kinder hours-these mums seem exhausted!:)

[aardvark]

I have 3, ages 15, 5 and 3 months.

The 10 year gap was great, and now the 5 year gap is good too. The older two are at school all day, and I have bub and the house to myself.

It suits us, I doubt that sort of spacing would suit everyone.

[Bubble*Crazy]

I nearly have 2 - with what will be an almost 6 year age gap. I must say, I have a great appreciation for those with a couple of young children!!!

I have found it quite easy coping with this pregnancy as DD#1 is pretty much self-reliant for a lot of things, but obviously still needs to have an kept eye on her! She sleeps thru the night, is a great helper, is at pre-primary etc etc. But, with the situation we were in 6 years ago, I had to go back to full time work when she was 4.5 months. It was extremely hard, let me tell you!!! :banghead:

Saying that though, if we do go back for a 3rd, I (probably) wouldn't drag it out so far as DP is getting older (as we all are!) and now we are in a better situation where we could get around me staying at home.

It really is a personal choice though depending on your own situation, obviously.

Good luck!

[Tan-mumof3]

There is 21months between my 2 now and we are going to start ttc early next year so when #3 comes along there will be approx 4 yrs between my youngest now and the baby.

[uptheduff]

LOL, i'll get back to you in September!! I have 2 sons, the oldest will be 2 in June...10 day later, the youngest will be one. My next baby is due on the 6th September...at which time the oldest will be just over 2 years, 2 months. (breastfeeding has no contraceptive powers over my body lol)

Neither of the pregnancies were planned, but all very wanted, and i have always said i would have my babies close together. I love having the boys close in age, and i'm confident things will work out with this baby being close too! Good luck if that's what you choose to do :)

[ellie&miasmum]

Wow, it's great to see that I'm not the only one thinking about it! Thanks for the replys! DP and I have had a chat about it and we're both pretty happy to have another baby. There just seems to be a lot to consider for the third. Especially when they're all so close together. Where is everyone going to sleep??!! Anyway in a couple of months time we're going to give it a go!!?? I'm really looking forward to trying. It was great last time! 'Uptheduff' let me know how you go:thumbsup:

[mysonroger]

i've got a two year old (just turned two) and a 10.5 month old and am trying for the third..........i can't wait to be running around after all three...........

[Briswegian]

WOW! you are all amazing with a swag of littilies. My son is 2.5 years and I have a newborn and that just works for us as the eldest has an element of independence and is out of nappies. I couldn't contemplate a third at the moment as I work part time and I couldn't afford the day care!

Out of curiosity (this is definately not a SAHM versus a paid work mum thing because both have their merits and often is not a 'choice' thing)...but those of you with more than two littlies, apart from the mammoth task of being a mum, how do you afford it? are you working?

[kate_perth_10]

My two are 13 months apart (now 2 and 3) and we have just started ttc number 3.This works for us cause the oldest goes to kindy next year so i would only have the 2 at home most of the day and my youngest has stopped wearing nappies during the day but thats just us.
In saying that my boys are the best of friends (most of the time!!) it was just the first year that was crazy!! U girls that have 3 under three deserve a medal!!!

But in the end if it feels right to u then go for it,whatever the age gap u learn to cope with it :D

[Bec@Brisbane]

Out of curiosity (this is definately not a SAHM versus a paid work mum thing because both have their merits and often is not a 'choice' thing)...but those of you with more than two littlies, apart from the mammoth task of being a mum, how do you afford it? are you working?I went back to work as a family daycare mum when my eldest ds was 3months and it nearly killed me sleep depravation and his monthly ear aches put a 6 month cap on that, then i went back to work 1.5days a week at the job i left to have ds this i found easier as i wasn't running around all day after kids (I was a medical receptionist)it got busy but most of the day i was sitting down, I enjoyed the extra money, but i haven't worked since dd was born and we decided i would stay home for a while I do miss work sometimes(at least at work i knew what i was doing hehehe:D ) but i love being a sahm to once i have my next baby(We're ttc #3) i'll stay at home until they are all off to school then i'll try to get work in school hours or night shift.We have struggled but we are more buget savy now days, they say kids cost a mint well i say they save you because you have no time for the pub:crying: movies and shopping(my 2 hated the pram 3rd :fingerscrossed: will):D