The Right Time to Have a Second Baby

Baby fever will probably hit sooner or later after the pains of labor and sleepless nights with your first baby have faded. But that is the question, isn't it? Sooner or later? Of course, there is no right answer and everyone has a different reason for spacing out their children the way they do. (Some of us, of course, just find ourselves expecting another one and make the best of it.) But, assuming you have complete control in family planning, when is the right time for you to have a second baby?

There is something to be said for having your children close together in age. (Let's say two years apart or less.) Having children close in age means double everything as babies. Double diaper duty, double strollers, and double the exhaustion. However, it also means that all of those things will be over with at around the same age. This might sound especially appealing to a couple that only plans on having two. Also, children under two years apart will be closer friends and the eldest will be too young to really suffer from sibling rivalry. It might also get Daddy in the mix, as Mommy will really need his help. (First time Dads are often shoved to the side a bit in the beginning.)

Assuming you don't have the energy to brave another that soon, you might want to wait several years and space the children out about four years apart. (There was a time when doctors said four years apart was the answer.) There are pros and cons to this situation, too. Sibling rivalry will be rife, as baby number one has been enjoying the center of attention for several years now. It also means there will be more squabbling and less in common between the two. One will want to watch Teletubbies, while the other wants to watch Spongebob. However, it may be better on your pocketbook to wait several years and it will also give you some time to enjoy the first one all by himself.

Supposing you would like to wait five years + to have your next baby? Well, that could have mixed results, too. First of all, you will need to learn the baby stuff all over again. More than likely, you will need to buy the baby stuff all over again. Also, you may have less energy to run after a toddler. However, you may be older and more patient with a toddler, so there is an upshot. Also, children who are spread that far apart will get along pretty well. The eldest will be old enough to want to help out with the baby and will be more protective of it, making for less arguing in the back seat.

The point of all this is that there is no magic number. Everyone will need to weigh their options and figure out what is best for them. Whether it's having two toddlers ruling the roost, or a toddler and a teenager cohabitating peacefully, there are plenty of variables. Just remember, you may want to have six children, so consider that when family planning. Then again, nature may just take its course and decide for you!