The Next Baby: Now Vs Later

Do you remember the first time when your newborn baby held your finger, and his hands felt like a little ball of cotton, the first time he opened his eyes and looked at you with such wonder, the first time he laughed, the first time he cried, the first time he talked? That feeling of “first time” is incomparable with anything in this whole world. Are you thinking to re-live those amazing moments? Yayy, that is great! But are you not sure if you are ready or not? Do you think it will have a negative impact on your first child? Are you not certain about the age gap? Well, you can take a deep breath and forget all about your confusion because we are here to answer all your questions and give you all the information you need to plan your next baby! Here are a few things you should consider before planning your second baby-

1. Physical health

The mother’s physical condition is the very first factor to consider before planning another child. After the first pregnancy, the mother’s body takes up a lot of energy and nutrients. It needs time to replenish and repair itself and get back to a normal state to support another healthy pregnancy. The body needs to recover completely after giving the first birth, whether it was a normal delivery or C-section. The estrogen and progesterone levels need to settle down. For the next baby, there should be enough iron and folic acid in the body. Research shows that it takes a minimum of 18 months for the body to restore all its nutrients and become stable again. Get a doctor’s consultation before you try to conceive.

2. Mother’s age

As the age of the woman increases, the pattern of menstrual cycle changes, and the number of eggs produced by her body reduces. It increases the chances of miscarriage or genetic disorders.

3. Father’s age

Father’s age is also considered while planning. Once the male’s age reaches 35, the sperm quality declines.

4. Financial readiness

Financial planning is the most crucial factor to consider when you are planning your second baby. The cost of living in the present era has hiked tremendously, and we all want to provide the best for our children! Your expenses will double up, for both the short and long term. Parents should be financially stable to afford the cost of two children. Financial planning for the whole family should start right after the first baby if you are certain about having two or more kids.

Also Read: My Life, My Baby – Story of Indian Motherhood

5. Talk to your partner

It is important to have a deep talk with your partner about this. You have to make sure that both of you are emotionally ready and are on the same page about it. Talk about your career goals, especially the career of the mother, if she wants to continue her maternity break or go back out to work. Talk about your goals as a family if you both want to do this. Communicate well before making any decision!

6. ‘Ideal’ age gap between the two children

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal gap between two children should be a minimum of 2 years.The mother’s body needs at least 18 months to get back in a normal state.

7. Getting pregnant before 18 months

• Increases the chance of stillbirth and miscarriages • Baby might be born premature or with a low birth weight • As a mother, you may suffer from anemia because your body is not fully recovered yet • After giving birth, the chances of uterus infection increase • Your water may break soon • You will have the responsibility of taking care of two small children at the same time, which will not be easy • You will get through the ‘baby’ age much quicker • You can reuse all the baby paraphernalia and toys

8. Having a pregnancy gap of 2-2.5 years

The Indian government recommends having an age gap of 3 years between two children. • The mother’s body is fully recovered from the first pregnancy. • You get enough time to spend with your first child. • A 2.5-3-year-old child is independent enough. He can walk, run, and talk on his own. So, you can focus more on your second newborn without the first being frustrated or aggressive. • The first child will be understanding, more expressive about his emotions, and of course, curious about so many things (Be ready to answer a load of questions!)

9. An age gap of 5 years or more is not healthy

• Chances of pre-eclampsia, premature birth, and low gestational weight • A child of 4-5 years or above is very emotionally active, and he may not take it that well. He might feel some resentment towards the newborn if he doesn’t get enough attention from both the parents. Or he might get really protective of his new sibling and help you take care of the new baby. • A gap of 5 years or more makes sure that you spend quality time with your first kid. The age gap totally depends on the couple and the mother’s health. If the mother thinks that she is emotionally and physically fit to give birth to another child at any time, then she must go for it!

How do you prepare your first child for the “good news”?

• Prepare your elder kid by teaching him about sharing his things. • Teach him responsibility by asking him to take good care of his toys • answer all their queries, as it will help them build a clear image of what’s coming • Ask them to do their daily activities independently. • Don’t suddenly shift all your attention towards the new baby as it will make the first one feel left out and jealous. Let him help out if he wants. Having a second child can be a huge change for you, your partner, and your first kid! It will mean more sleepless nights, changing diapers all over again, but at the same time, you will get to experience motherhood again, and your children will never be alone; they will always have each other’s back. The decision entirely depends upon you and your partner. Think about all the different aspects on planning your second baby and then make a decision! You will know when the time is right for you!

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Also Read:

Back-to-Back Pregnancies- Is it Worth the Risk?

How To Lose A Postpartum Belly?

Raising Girl Child in Gender Neutral Spaces

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