What should be the ideal age gap between babies?

Are you contemplating having another child? Having a proper gap between your children is important for the health of the mother and the child.

Is a 2 year gap between babies ideal?

Experts suggest that a minimum of 18 to 24 months between pregnancies is ideal. At a maximum, no more than 5 years of a gap has been suggested. The minimum gap helps you to recover completely from your previous pregnancy and breastfeeding as they deplete the calcium and iron levels in your body.

If you are of 35 years of age or older, then you may consider a gap of 12 months between two pregnancies. This is because as you age, you may find it more and more difficult to become pregnant.

What is the ideal age gap between babies for your family?

The ideal age gap between babies depends on many factors including your personal preference regarding the age gap between your children. A gap of fewer than 6 months between the birth of one baby and another pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, having a baby with low birth weight, schizophrenia, and other complications. Certain studies suggest that pregnancies spaced less than 2 years apart may increase the risk of autism in the second child. A minimum of 2 years between the end of first pregnancy and the beginning of the next one is considered to be ideal.

What are the benefits of appropriate spacing between pregnancies?

When there is an ideal age gap between babies, both the children and the mother share the benefits. The health of the children is good due to appropriate nourishment during the pregnancy while the mother’s health is good due to an appropriate gap between two pregnancies that allows her body to nourish itself back to health. The children grow up together, become playmates for each other and share a close bond. Planning holidays becomes easier as they share common interests. However, no two families are the same and what may be ideal for one may not be appropriate for another. Plan the gap between your children such that both you and your children enjoy the golden  growing up years.

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