New Health Guide
The question of when is the best time to have a second baby is a good one and one that does not have a “one size fits all” answer. The idea of changing from three people to a bigger family really does have a big impact on your entire life from your work and financial goals to your life with your spouse and other child. However, there are a few questions that you should consider as you debate this issue. Read on to learn all the things you need to consider to make a better decision and how to help your first child to get by.
Most experts seem to agree that waiting at least 18 months to conceive is better for both the baby and the mother. A mother’s body needs to recover all the nutrients that a baby uses both in utero and during breastfeeding. Experts also believe that short or wide spacing of siblings may increase the chance of relationships between the siblings being better.
Studies show that pregnancies within 18 months of the first child may increase the chance of premature birth and lower weight newborns. In addition, at least one study shows that the chance of autism may be three times more likely if the second child is conceived within a year after the first child is born. Other studies show that if you wait more than five years between children, the risk of premature birth and low birth weight increases.
Based on the research, it is probably wise to wait until your first child is at least 18 months. The evidence about this question is less conclusive but many families believe that having an older child may give you the opportunity to talk to the child about the second pregnancy. In addition, you may want to consider how much work you will have to do if you have two children in diapers. However, having children too far apart may make them less able to entertain each other.
A huge question to think about is how a second child will affect your lifestyle. Remember that an infant will mean that you will have to stop working for some period of time and you will be back to some period of time of sleep deprivation! Try to recall the amount of work a new baby needs and determine if you are ready for that work load. Already be prepared mentally and physically before making the big decision.
As you already know from your first child, it costs a lot to raise a child. If your income is relatively secure, finances may not be a big consideration, but most people should do the math and make sure you will have enough to raise a second child. Of course, if you wait until you can REALLY afford children, you may never have a second child.
As long as you are under 30 years of age, you can probably afford to space your children out to as many years as you are comfortable with. As you near 40, your fertility will begin to decrease and your chances of being able to conceive will decrease. In addition, the risks to the fetus also increase as your age goes up.
The decision to have a second child should be one that you and your partner discuss and agree about. Be sure to discuss all the points above so that you are both aware of all the questions.
When you have made the decision to have a second baby, one of the tasks in front of you is to be sure you help your first child adjust to this change.
