A lot of people go into family building with a plan in mind of their perfect family size, and exactly how that will all pan out. They know how many kids they want, and what age difference they are hoping for in between.
Of course, once you actually become parents, those plans may go out the door. That’s because a lot of things can change once you realize what all is involved in child rearing, so that the family who once wanted 3 kids all close together, may no longer feel the same way. Or the family who once believed they would have only one, suddenly finds themselves thinking they might like one or two more.
There is only so much you can plan for in this life, and family building often has a lot of hurdles you might never have expected before you began your family. But if you are here now, with your first little one over 6 months old, and you find yourself yearning for another baby—what do you need to consider?
Baby bunching is the term used for having two children under the age of 2—it’s what happens when you add to your family while you still have a first in diapers. And for a lot of families, it’s the ideal way to go. But there are pros and cons to keep in mind.
First, the pros:
- Siblings closer in age may have a better chance of growing up as friends and playing happily alongside each other.
- The similar age of development will also mean your kids are into a lot of the same things at the same time—which means the toys in the playroom will suit both your kids, and the movies or activities you plan later in life will be at age level for each of them.
- If you started family building later in life, baby bunching may be your best option for having more than one.
Of course, there are also cons to think about:
- In terms of the health of your pregnancy (and being able to go full term) most doctors recommend waiting at least 12 months after the birth of one child before trying for the next.
- Ideally, you would also want to be done breastfeeding before trying for your second—while some women do still breastfeed while pregnant, this can be hard on your body and could result in less nutrients for you or your unborn baby.
- Having two little ones at the same time, still in diapers and still pretty reliant upon you, can be a lot of work—sometimes it is easier if you wait until the first is at least mobile and potty trained.
Of course, ultimately, how you build your family is a very personal decision, and only you can know what is best for yours. So weigh the pros and cons, and then make the family building choices that feel right to you!
Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.