I’m diving into what it was like for our family to grow from one to two, and then from two to three kids. Spoiler alert: the transition from two to three was my favorite (and the easiest!). Here’s a deeper look into our experience, plus tips and encouragement if you’re considering expanding your family.
0 to 1
I’m skipping over the transition from no kids to one, because that shift is so profound it deserves its own episode / blog post. So let’s jump right into what it was like adding baby #2.
From One to Two Kids
We welcomed our second baby when our daughter was just 18 months old.
Let me be honest: it was really hard.
- Two tiny humans needing me 24/7.
- Toddler tantrums were intense.
- Lots of days with two kids crying at the same time.
What surprised me most was how much I missed my daughter. I was physically with her all day, but emotionally distant due to newborn needs. My husband took over many of her routines, and she naturally gravitated toward him.
We were also living in a rental, renovating a home, it was the summer of 2020, and everything was closed due to COVID. So yeah—that added a lot of stress.
Around the 6-month mark, things smoothed out.
- We found our rhythm.
- Our daughter and son formed a beautiful bond.
- Now, three years later, they’re like peanut butter and jelly—lots of wild play, yes, but also genuine kindness and connection.
From Two to Three Kids
With baby #3, we opted for a slightly bigger age gap: 27 months. It made a huge difference!
- My daughter was 3.5 and very self-sufficient.
- My son was slightly more independent than she had been at his age.
- I wasn’t doing everything for everyone all the time.
And honestly? It was my easiest transition.
Why Going from Two to Three Was the Easiest 💪
In my experience (and my mom group agrees!), two to three is easier than one to two. Here’s why:
- 🤵 You’re already a pro with newborns.
- 🧡 Juggling multiple kids is second nature by now.
- 🍼 Nursing feels natural and intuitive.
- ❤️ Recovery is easier with each birth.
- 🛏️ Big kids entertain each other while you bond with baby.
- 🚗 Your oldest can do more solo (buckles car seat, dresses themselves).
- 🌟 Older siblings genuinely love to help and entertain baby.
- 🌿 The whole family rises to the challenge—and grows from it.
Keep This in Mind
Much depends on your older kids’ temperament and capabilities:
- Vocabulary skills
- Self-soothing abilities
- Potty training
- Car seat and snack independence
And of course, the baby’s temperament matters too. Our third baby, Atticus, is 10 months old and has a lovely but clingy personality. It requires constant adjusting, but we make it work—because that’s what you do.