There is no perfect spacing between children. It's a very individual decision that should be based on your own values and goals. In my own family, my two oldest children are 3 years and 10 months apart, while the two youngest are 28 months apart.
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I have to say that for me, the longer spacing was better. When my daughter was 28 months old and a new baby came home, she was still a nursing baby herself. She seemed to love the new baby, but for about a year, I felt as if I was being stretched as thin as I could go without snapping. I did not enjoy nursing while pregnant or tandem nursing, although I did both. On the other hand, I do know many mamas who have been fine with it.
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Natural child spacing -- meaning that no new baby is conceived until the older child weans -- is a bit of a myth since women can conceive while nursing an infant. You are less likely to conceive, but it  isn't impossible. In my own case, my period returned at about ten months postpartum, even though I was still nursing full-time and my babies never took even a single bottle. 
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In many non-western cultures, the reason babies are spaced three or more years apart is because men and women just don't have sex while the mother is nursing a baby. This is true of some primate species and other mammals as well. 
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Factors to consider in thinking about child spacing include:
 
<p>-Family finances -- Do you want to stay home while your children are young? If so, do you need to keep that period of your life to a certain number of years for either your long-term career prospects or overall financial future? 
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-Your age - If you are over 35 and would like to have more than one baby, you may need to consider a closer spacing.
 
<p>-Your older child - Will you be okay with weaning your nursling if you find that nursing while pregnant or tandem nursing isn't right for you? 
 
<p>- Your body - Did you have a difficult pregnancy or birth? If so, you may want to give yourself a little more time to bounce back before becoming pregnant again.
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- Your temperament - Do you enjoy an orderly, quiet household? Some mothers thrive on the energy of a household filled with several babies or toddlers at once, while others enjoy focusing on mothering one baby at a time.
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Talk to other mothers you know about their own decisions about child spacing. Give some thought to your short and longterm plans for yourself, your children, and your career. And remember: only you can make the best choice for your family.
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