What age gap is too big between siblings?

Gaps of over five years are associated with pregnancy and birth problems (not just because you're likely to be an older mum) (Conde-Agudelo et al, 2006). With bigger gaps, your children may be into different things so not as close until they're much older.
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What is considered a big age gap between siblings?

Anything over 5 years is considered a large age gap. This could be planned or is sometimes a whoopsie or just situational, such as children from different relationships. A larger age gap doesn't mean siblings can't be close, it is just will be a different type of relationship.
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What is the hardest age gap between siblings?

A 2-Year Age Gap

Sibling rivalry is strongest during these years and parents are often already struggling with a toddler who is developing a strong sense of identity and loves to use the word “No!” On the upside, a 2 year age gap works out pretty well as the kids get older.
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Is 7 years a big age gap for siblings?

Is a 7 year age gap OK for siblings? There's just as much chance that children much closer in age won't get on, either as children or adults. Seven years is really not too big an age gap at all.
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Should I have kids 2 or 3 years apart?

Possible benefits of a 3-year age gap

According to some research, you may have the lowest risk of labor complications when you have your second baby around three years after your first. Pregnancy may carry less risk for you and your baby.
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Ideal Sibling Age Gap - Pros



When should I try for baby number 2?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against getting pregnant within 6 months of giving birth to your little one—and many providers say that waiting 18 months or so after delivering a baby is the “sweet spot” for you to get pregnant again.
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Is it OK to have kids 8 years apart?

Your Family May Not Look “Normal” to Others

There is no evidence that large age gaps are bad for kids or parents, so you can put that one to rest. As for whether your choice is normal or acceptable to others, remember that this is your family and your choice.
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Is 6 years between siblings too much?

6 years isn't too much of an age gap to not like the same things. Now that Birch can talk and run, the games they have in common have increased – especially open-ended, imaginative play, builds developmental skills for both of them despite their age difference!
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What age should brother and sister stop sharing?

While it's not illegal for them to share, it's recommended that children over the age of 10 should have their own bedrooms – even if they're siblings or step-siblings. We know this isn't always possible. If kids are sharing, try to have regular conversations with them about how they're feeling.
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What is the best gap for second child?

VERDICT: As per World Health Organization, a gap of at least 24 months should be there between your first and second child. By this time, the mother's body gets fully recovered from her first pregnancy as she replenishes the nutrients she lost in her first pregnancy.
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What is the ideal number of child?

A 2007 study found that the majority of Americans believe 2.5 kids is still the ideal number of children to have, and six out of 10 Americans believe "smaller" families — with two kids or fewer — is the way to go.
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How many kids are good to have?

Research suggests that having two children is still most people's idea of the 'ideal' family size.
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Should you have a 2nd child?

Having two children is good for your health

Three different studies looked at thousands of older adults and found the same thing: two kids was the sweet spot for health. The risk of an early death increases by 18% for parents of an only child. Also, the risk is higher for parents of three or more kids.
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What is the biggest acceptable age gap?

"Half-your-age-plus-seven" rule

An often-asserted rule of thumb to determine whether an age difference is socially acceptable holds that a person should never date someone whose age is less than half their own plus seven years.
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How long is too long between kids?

What's the best interval between pregnancies? To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy.
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Is a 4 year age gap too much for siblings?

Medium gap (two to four years)

You'll be (mostly) up-to-date with your knowledge about all things baby-related. You can save cash by re-using the baby equipment your first child doesn't need any more. It's the most common age gap so your mum friends are likely to have second children at a similar time too.
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Is a 5 year age gap too much for siblings?

Anything over 5 years is considered a large age gap. This could be planned or is sometimes a whoopsie or just situational, such as children from different relationships. A larger age gap doesn't mean siblings can't be close, it is just will be a different type of relationship.
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Do you live longer if you have kids later?

A study, published in Menopause in January 2015, found women who had their last kid after 33 had double the chance of living to 95 or older as opposed to those who had their last one by 29. Another study showed women who gave birth after 40 were four times more likely to live to be a 100 years old.
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How can I help my 6 year old with a new sibling?

What can I do to help my child accept a new sibling?
  1. Ask his advice. ...
  2. Watch the baby together. ...
  3. Read stories about his new role. ...
  4. Let him tell the story. ...
  5. Acknowledge his feelings. ...
  6. Spend a little time alone with him. ...
  7. Let him do his own thing.
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Is trying for a second baby harder?

A woman's fertility declines with age, sometimes it can be harder to get pregnant with a second child than it was with the first. When a woman has trouble getting pregnant on her own after a previously successful natural conception and birth, fertility doctors refer to this as secondary infertility.
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Is having a 2nd baby hard?

First of all, every pregnancy, birth, and baby is different, so history doesn't necessarily repeat itself. Then, there's the fact that parenting two kids is a hell of a lot harder than parenting just one. You only have two hands, one lap, so many hours in the day, and so much energy to expel.
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Is it easier to get pregnant a second time?

Some couples find it easier to get pregnant the second time around (maybe because they are already familiar with their unique ovulation patterns), but for many couples, it takes longer to get pregnant the second time. In fact, secondary infertility is more common than primary infertility.
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Are 2 child families happier?

All of this might be part of why research has showed that, while having one child is associated with a gain in happiness, having a second is associated with a drop in happiness for mothers. (That study found no effect of a second child on fathers).
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