It seems to me this is likely to be a matter of personal preference and entirely dependent on your situation (after 18 months that is). I've known of families with siblings as many as 11 years apart for whom it worked really well and others that wished the kids were closer in age) I've also known of families whose kids were as close in age as could be (one was even EXACTLY one year apart - the second one was a "surprise" but most people think the girls are twins). It is the same story with these families, some are glad for the closeness in age and some wish their kids were further apart in age.

Things like emotional closeness or not-such closeness of siblings seems to have more to do with how they are raised, who they are naturally as people and how much they have in common in terms of interests than it does age.

As a previous answerer pointed out, many advantages of certain age differences also come with disadvantages.

I guess I'd suggest that after being sure you are making a choice that considers your own health (at least 18 months between) as shown in this answer, don't worry about it too much and plan based on what your priorities, financial situation and wishes dictate. Make your decision and then don't question yourself too much (we tend to do that too much as parents anyway).

It seems to me this is likely to be a matter of personal preference and entirely dependent on your situation (after 18 months that is). I've known of families with siblings as many as 11 years apart for whom it worked really well and others that wished the kids were closer in age) I've also known of families whose kids were as close in age as could be (one was even EXACTLY one year apart - the second one was a "surprise" but most people think the girls are twins). It is the same story with these families, some are glad for the closeness in age and some wish their kids were further apart in age.

Things like emotional closeness or not-such closeness of siblings seems to have more to do with how they are raised, who they are naturally as people and how much they have in common in terms of interests than it does age.

As a previous answerer pointed out, many advantages of certain age differences also come with disadvantages.

I guess I'd suggest that after being sure you are making a choice that considers your own health (at least 18 months between) as shown in this answer, don't worry about it too much and plan based on what your priorities, financial situation and wishes dictate. Make your decision and then don't question yourself too much (we tend to do that too much as parents anyway).