Is it Time For Your Family to Grow?

The decision to have a baby is not always easy, even though it is exciting. If you already have a child at home, you have an additional amount of information to consider when deciding whether or not to have another baby. Many couples wonder when the "perfect" time to add a new baby to their family would be. While the truth is that only you and your spouse can decide whether or not you are ready for the responsibility of another child, answering some questions can make the decision making process easier.

Do You Want Another Baby?

This may sound trite, but you need to stop and think about whether or not you want another baby. You may feel pressure from friends or family members to give your child a sibling or grow your family for other reasons. On the other hand, you may want another baby, but your spouse may not. Take some time to talk about whether or not you both want to add to your family. Make sure your relationship as a couple is as strong as possible and that you are on the same page, because adding a baby to a strained relationship will only make it more strained.

Is Your Other Child Old Enough?

There is no cut and dried age that is the perfect age to become a big brother or big sister. Many parents choose to have their children close in age so they can be playmates, while others choose to space them out so that they can recover from babyhood with one child before starting in on it with another. However, if your child is really young and not yet sleeping through the night, your body may not be able to handle the demands of being pregnant without enough sleep at night. Additionally, having two children who are not mobile makes life a bit challenging, so consider whether or not you want to deal with two children that need to be carried.

Is Your Body Ready?

If you have a lot of weight to lose after your first, you may want to focus on getting back in shape before you get pregnant again. Losing the weight is harder if you wait, and your body needs to be as fit as possible for a healthy pregnancy. Also, most doctors recommend giving your body a chance to heal from birth before trying to conceive again, at least 18 to 24 months are ideal if possible between births.

Is Your Budget Ready?

You really never can "afford" to have another child. Most of us live to our means or beyond, but if you are really struggling to make ends meet, you may want to postpone adding on to your family. Sit down and plan a budget that will include the addition of more diapers and possibly formula, schooling costs, and medical costs, and then decide if you can add to your family. Of course, do not make the decision solely on money, but if you are not going to be able to feed the children you do have if you add another, it could be time to reconsider trying to conceive.