2 u 2 Planned or not?

KMKTampa

Did you plan on having 2 u 2?

If you did, would you do it again?

Is there age difference that is "best"? I use best in the most relaxed way possible.

AutumnBride929

We planned 2u2.  If we do it again, it will be another 2u2 set a few years from now so yes, I would do it again.  If we were going to have four kids, I would actually prefer two sets of 2u2.  Different age gaps are best for different families.  For us, I think it's best to bang them out two at a time, lol.

TonyaCody06

my 2u2 were planned and 19mo apart. the spacing was perfect b/c around 18mo DD#1 became very verbal. I had planned on doing it again for the next two but with a space btwn #2 and #3....however.....3u3 has become our surprise!

moonfaerie

#1 was not planned, but once she arrived we did plan 2u2. Yup, I would do it again.

juliane2004

Planned.

Working on doing it again. (DD and DS are 14 months apart. If we conceive this cycle, then DS and #3 would be 12.5 months apart.)

I like the age difference we have, of 14 months:
- DD was out of bottles by the time DS got here.
- When DS gets a bit older, they'll really be able to play with each other.
- DD couldn't walk when DS got here, but she did learn shortly after that.
- No jealousy. Some times DD wants me to pick her up or play with her when I'm feeding DS but I think she understand I'm busy with DS, and she just goes on to play by herself for a bit.

I love 2u2.

roundtheworldgirl

We did not plan it, but I am so glad it happened the way it did.  I found out I was pregnant again when DD1 was 4.5 months old, and they are 12.5 months apart.  The first few months were really tough, but DD2 is now nearly 7 months and things have gotten a lot better. 

We had planned to try to space them about two years apart, because we wanted them to be close in age, but we thought any less space than that would be too hard.  But I think they'll be even better buddies with this age difference, and will be able to relate to each other better, for longer. 

The downside, though, is that two pregnancies so close together was very hard on my body and I am a bit nervous about getting pregnant again, particularly any time soon.  The second pregnancy was much tougher than the first (which wasn't easy to start with), and I still feel like my body hasn't fully recovered.

But DH is adamant that, if we have another child a few years from now, we would need to have a fourth within two years so that the third child also has a close playmate.  I'm thinking adoption might be a better option for us.

Echowysp

Yes, it was planned due to me not wanting to be a million years old when having a second child.

Yes, I'd do it again.  

I'd say the only thing important age difference wise is making sure LO#1 can walk and be a bit independent before LO#2 comes.  Mine are 23 months apart and things have gone pretty smoothly.

lkf041

Yes, planned.

Yes, we are doing it again.  #3 will is due 4 days after #1 turns 3.

For us 18 months apart seems to work.   

kfriscia

My 2u2 was not planned but it worked out so well #2 and#3 will be 2 years apart exactly.

monkeyqueen

Not planned!

But, I feel like I could do it again ---- which is easy to say, because I'm not doing it again!  lol...

There is no best age difference.  Way too many factors.    The age gap between O and N is 2 years 8 months - great age difference, but it has it's challenges.    N and D are 12 months 4 days apart - again, it has it's challenges but I love this age difference. 

sweetpea2003

Not planned, but very very much appreciated .

DD was and IVF baby.  We had planned on doing an FET cycle when she turned 1 (so we wanted them close in age) but ended up getting pregnant on our own before we did the FET.  So they are closer in age than we ever imagined would happen (16 months), but we are very happy and thankful for how it turned out.

Honestly, I think that the transition from one to two kids is challenging nomatter when it happens.  My DD and nephew share the same birthday 2 years apart (DD was 7/3/09, nephew 7/3/07).  My DS and new nephew were born one day apart (my DS was 11/11/10, nephew 11/12/10).  So my kiddos are 16 months apart and my SIL and BIL's kiddos are almost 3.5 years apart.  IMO, my transition was MUCH easier than theirs.  Their 3 year old really had an "opinion" on the birth of my nephew and had some problems transitioning and losing the undivided attention.  DD on the other hand was too young to really be jealous.  She didn't have much of an opinion on DS for awhile.  Now she LOOOVES him.  He is the first person she asks for in the morning.  She loves it when I put him in her crib so that she can play with his feet and make him giggle.  Everything is "baby baby baby".  It is truly heartwarming.

Would I do it again?  If I wanted lots of kids, probably.  Right now I am content with my two and my husband is deploying next week so the chance of another baby being within 2 years of my DS is slim.  I'm not sure what we are going to do. 

LJR 84

Planned? Yes and no. We weren't preventing, but after I got a new job we decided we'd wait. Well, it was too late. Ours will be about 12.5 months apart.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

We were aiming for 2 ABOUT 2, so while we didn't plan specifically to have them under 2 years apart, it wasn't unplanned either.

I can't tell if I would do 2U2 again. I've always thought it was best to just "get it over and done with", but DD has been quite a handful these past few months, so I've been having a lot of "oh sh!t" moments...

kcisthebombdotcom

We planned on 2u2. We were going to start actively trying for a 16 month gap. However, in our not trying/not preventing stage we ended up with a 12.5 month gap.

Even knowing what I know now, I'd still do it the way we did all over again. At 16 months, I think DS is more challenging now than he was at 12.5 months! At 12.5 months, he had just started walking about a month before so he was busy exploring his environment. He didnt really care that I paid attention to the baby because he was too busy wandering around the house.   For the most part, the first few months at home were fairly easy. Now he's starting to act more like a toddler and throwing tantrums. I'm glad we're already in a groove as opposed to throwing a newborn into the mix now. I love all the benefits of 2u2-the close relationship I hope they will have, getting the sleepless nights/diapers out of the way quicker as opposed to waiting and starting all over again, and the fact they will be able to share toys/games because they'll be at the same level.

I don't think there's an age difference that is best. In theory, it's supposed to be easier if you have a 3+ year age gap, but my friends who had bigger gaps had a harder transition than I did. It all depends on the temperaments of the children involved and that's something you can't predict-waiting might make things easier, but it might make it harder. You have to take your chances whether you wait or do 2u2. I would look at the bigger picture and see if that option works best for your family as opposed to making a decision based on 1 year of difficulties when you have a young toddler/infant. Even if 2u2 is hard at first, I think in the bigger picture it pays off, since when they get older they can entertain each other and give you more down time as opposed to an only child that's 2 or 3 that needs you to entertain.

akbride25

Ours was planned. DS and DD are 18 months apart and it worked out perfectly for us. DS was too young to realize what was happening, so he adjusted quickly to his new sister. I was worried that it would be tough, but things have gone pretty smoothly.

I would do the 18 month spacing again if I had the choice, but we are going to aim for about 2 years between DD and #3 because of DH's work schedule.

t.bird

yes & no: #1 = IVF baby. #2 = shocking surprise. we were going to shoot for an FET when #1 was around 8 months old, but we got ku when she was 5 months old.

we would totally do it again.

my girls are 14 months aart & i love it. it was hard at first- but we've got a routine down now.

HarrietNJMommy

Did you plan on having 2 u 2? NopeIf you did, would you do it again? We did do it again, unplanned. I did 2u2 twice.Is there age difference that is "best"? I use best in the most relaxed way possible. I have no idea if there is a "better" age gap since 1.5 years spacing is all I really know.

flgator

Yes, it was planned.  Mine are 22 months apart.  I would do it again.  I like how close they are. It's hard but rewarding.  I'm not sure what age difference is best.  I only know this.

MStason

Not at all, but its been great. Hard , but great. They love each other so much and I hope I am getting ot the easy part. If we were having more kids I would do it again. Mine are 14 months apart

runnergirl79

planned.  twice. : )

mel72

#1 was planned for 29 cycles.  #2 came along in only 4.  They are 15 months apart and it works for us, especially now that the colic is over!

cactus5

My first 2 under 2 was planned. They are 14.5 months apart.

Second set was not planned, but not a bad surprise. We were planning on trying pretty soon. They will be 17 months apart.

CariannelovesTim

We weren't trying but we weren't preventing either. Ds and DD will be 21 months apart.

BrittKav

We planned to have 2u2, but we were thinking 18-24 months difference. They're 14 months apart.

I LOVE this age difference, and wouldn't have it any other way. The only thing that makes me hesitant to do 2u2 again is that it's really important for me to BF for at least a year, and ideally 2 years. I was able to nurse DD1 throughout my pregnancy, but it was hard and very, very stressful. I don't know if that's worth the closeness in age. 

caymanbride

My boys are exactly 2 years apart (Cooper was born 2 days after Aidan turned 2). Yes, it was planned, and yes I would do it again (and hopefully will!) The age difference has been perfect for us. A wasn't a total baby when C was born, but they are still close enough in age to play together and grow up together.

SoCaliAli

Ours was planned.  We started trying thinking it would take a couple months to conceive #2, but we got lucky our first cycle.  They will be 15 months apart.  Can't say yet if I would do it again, I'll let you know in a couple months.

kate081206

Unplanned : )

 We are done!

mechanicsgirl

KMKTampa:

Did you plan on having 2 u 2?  NO.

If you did, would you do it again? To have these two children again?  Yes.  But if I had more kids and we're talking spacing?  No way.

Is there age difference that is "best"? I don't think so, there are pros/cons to every age difference.

bulldog_mama23

No, we did not plan on 2 under 2 but at the same time with our history of infertility we weren't not doing anything to prevent a pregnancy that could possibly happen on our own.

Even though we didn't plan it this way, we are SO glad that we did, we wouldn't change a thing and I actually like having them close in age.  I think it is hard work now but will be so much fun when they are a little older and can actually do stuff! I am not sure that there is a "best" age difference, mine are 17 months apart.  I like that DD was walking and starting to become independent when DS was born.  I think if they were more like a year apart, it would be really hard for me.  

Scout1218

We didn't plan our 2u2.  I wouldn't say I'd plan to have 2u2 again (we're finished actually) but the experience has been SO much better than I anticipated.  In fact, I'm sort of glad we have children so close together.  My babies are 16 months apart and I think it's been amazing, but of course, that age difference is the only one I have experience with.  I think it would be much more difficult to introduce a newborn to my daughter now, at 2...she is entering the tantrum phase and I think my patience and nerves would be shot if I had to deal with her fits AND a newborn.

Lambie.

Yes, 2u2 was planned but we didn't think we would get pregnant as quickly as we did.

fallsbride

planned

and yes we are doing it again

son 2 and 3 are 18 months apart and son 3 and baby 4 will be about the same

sept04brideinMD

Most wonderful unexpected surprise of our lives.  So much so, we're considering doing it again...3 under 4.  I love the idea that we'd be "done" with the baby stuff all at the same time.  However - being a teacher and slightly OCD...we're only going to TTC Aug-Nov this fall...then we'll wait until next year for the same time frame.

mrsseguin

Ours was planned (ours are 25 months apart).  IF we have a 3rd, we will wait a few years.  We have found going from 1-2 kids very difficult. 

PhilsWife07

Planned? Yes.

Do it again? Maybe... We plan to have a third, but we won't TTC til DS2's second birthday rolls around. If we decide to have a fourth (a big if right now), we might space #3 and #4 close like #1 and #2 are. 

QCinOct

I'm just newly pg with #2 but we were TTC (although, it took 16 cycles to get pg with DS so I hadn't anticipated it happening on cycle 2 with #2!).

 but no, we won't be doing it again as we'll be 2 and through

woolgathered

This was planned, but sometimes I wonder if we made the right choice. Being over 38 weeks pregnant is just tiring for anyone, though.

xtencornfield

Before we started TTC DS, we did not think we would ever do 2u2. However, it tooks us 2 years to get pg with DS so after he was born, we decided that given my medical history and the fact that DH was already 38, we would move ahead right away with TTC #2. We had no idea how long it would take and DH said he wanted his last child (we only want 2) before he turned 40. It just worked out that it only took us 4 cycles, using infertility treatments immediately, to conceive #2. They will be 18 months apart. We're happy that we'll be out of diapers and daycare sooner, that's for sure!

detroitblondie

We did not plan.

I would TOTALLY do it again.

Mine are almost 13 months apart and I think it's totally great.