Age gaps between babies

When it comes to age gaps between babies, there is no right or wrong answer.

You are the best judge of when the time is right. Ask yourself whether you’re ready for another baby, both emotionally and physically. Your body needs time to recover from the first birth and you and your partner should make sure you spend quality time with one another before those sleepless nights reappear.

How will another baby fit in with your life? Coping with one baby is easy enough – you can probably still visit friends, use public transport and afford to go on holiday – two changes the dynamic of your family and makes it harder to live a flexible lifestyle. On the other hand, if the gap between your babies is too large your age might mean you’re less likely to conceive quickly, so this too has to be taken into consideration. As far as your children are concerned, siblings may not be as close to one another if the gap is five years or more, as they won’t be at school together.

But despite every well thought out plan, pregnancies and babies don’t tend to follow rules. You might find yourself pregnant very soon after you’ve had your first, or it might be ten years before you’re expecting your second. Every aspect of having a baby is unpredictable.

Will my babies be bigger with each pregnancy?

Subsequent pregnancies do tend to result in larger babies, but not always. If you had a big baby the first time around and are worried about the second, discuss your fears with your doctor or midwife. See will subsequent babies be bigger? for more information.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.