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Original poster

What age would consider someone to be a young mum?

119 replies

Himitsu · 07/08/2024 21:20

Not including teen parents, as that’s a separate category.

Someone referred to me as a young mum today and I was like eh? I’m 30! I’d consider 20 to maybe 23-24 to be a young mum. Just curious what others feel! I had my first at 20 and definitely felt young then!

OP posts:
Summertimer · 08/08/2024 09:25

It actually can be seen in the context of young for where you live. So here - an hour into London, regenerated urban landscape, sky high property prices - 30 is on the young side.

But, taking a more rounded view, early 20s is young and 30 is a good age to have a baby if you’ve had a bit of career building time first

K0OLA1D · 08/08/2024 09:20

Sweetteaplease · 08/08/2024 09:13

Under 25, although I feel under 30 is young as there's so much to do at this age

See this to me sounds like you're referring to young mum as a bad thing.

Madamecholetsbonnet · 08/08/2024 09:18

I would consider anyone under 23 to be a young mum.

Sweetteaplease · 08/08/2024 09:17

RoseUnder · 08/08/2024 07:54

It doesn’t ‘matter’ but it’s a really interesting social issue linked to feminism, women’s rights, relationships, communities…, to discuss as seen by the number of people posting on this thread!

I wonder if the upwards trend will switch back at any point and some women may start having their first child younger?

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I doubt it, if you want to really live your life and have experiences it can only happen when you're young. Not quite the same once you're 40 with teens!

TipsyPoet · 08/08/2024 09:17

Under 18 is a young mum where I am from. It was considered very normal to have babies at 18-21. Nobody would bat an eyelid really

However, I personally think under 27/28 is a ‘young mum’. It’s young to have a child, anyway.

I say that as someone who had their first at 19. I have never ever felt like a young mum and never looked it. I was very good at it. Breastfed until 3. Never used grandparents etc for childcare. I found my DC slotted in and I was really not phased. Never had a difficult baby stage and found it all easy.

But I have never had my 20s to myself, something I feel would’ve been really valuable to me. I never had an adulthood without having a child with me. Something I obviously feel is a shame now

HollyKnight · 08/08/2024 09:16

I'd say under 23. 25 isn't particularly young to start a family imo.

Sarah2891 · 08/08/2024 09:14

I'd say under 22 too

Sweetteaplease · 08/08/2024 09:13

Under 25, although I feel under 30 is young as there's so much to do at this age

Blinkingbonkers · 08/08/2024 09:13

Agree With many previous posters - under 25.

Terriblegizzard · 08/08/2024 09:12

Probably under 25, although I don’t personally know many people who became mums under 30.

OneCandidShark · 08/08/2024 09:10

Sunshineandpool · 08/08/2024 08:02

This poster is right, though. Many people use the term 'young mum' to mean a mum with young children. It might not make logical sense but then lots doesn't with words and phrases!

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I don’t think they do unless they are quite dense.
A young family refers to the age of the children.
A young mum refers to the age of the mum - otherwise you could call me a teenage mum because I have teenagers.
Sometimes you have to admit you are wrong.

LBFseBrom · 08/08/2024 09:03

Surely no medics considered you 'geriaatric', notyourmummy. 28 is a normal age for having a baby. I dot don't know if the term 'geriatric pregnancy' is still used but i know it meant 36 and over. It still means that even if the label has changed (and plenty do give birth for the first time over 36). I was 29 when I had my baby in 1979 and nobody thought anything of it, even those who had given birth at 21. I was young! You were even younger.

notyourmummy · 08/08/2024 08:18

I was considered a geriatric first time mother at 28 in North Lincolnshire! Where I work currently most parents are teenagers when they have their first child, so nothing older than that seems like a young parent, but generally under 21 I suppose?

Sunshineandpool · 08/08/2024 08:02

Isittimeformynapyet · 07/08/2024 21:35

If I asked if you were a rich mum, would you think I was asking if your offspring were rich?

Things must get very complicated in your world.

Show quote history

This poster is right, though. Many people use the term 'young mum' to mean a mum with young children. It might not make logical sense but then lots doesn't with words and phrases!

Sunshineandpool · 08/08/2024 07:59

OneCandidShark · 08/08/2024 07:51

I was 23 when I had my son and 26 when I had my daughter.
I was young compared to their peers parents but I didn’t feel a young mum as my mum had me and my siblings at a similar age as did my aunts (having my cousins).
My personal cutoff for having more was 30 - I personally couldn’t imagine having toddlers in my 30s or primary age children now in my 40s.
I look at my SIL who has a 3 year old at 42 and I don’t know how she does it.

I have to be honest I do wonder how those in their 40s have the energy for toddlers too!

My DSIL did it too. She was 39 when she had her DC.

Fluufer · 08/08/2024 07:58

25 and under. I was 21 and definitely young.

JudgeJ · 08/08/2024 07:55

Himitsu · 07/08/2024 21:20

Not including teen parents, as that’s a separate category.

Someone referred to me as a young mum today and I was like eh? I’m 30! I’d consider 20 to maybe 23-24 to be a young mum. Just curious what others feel! I had my first at 20 and definitely felt young then!

In MN terms anyone under 35 seems to be too young! I was 29 in 1977 and classed as an 'elderly prima gravida', times change, no doubt they will again.

RoseUnder · 08/08/2024 07:54

Missmarymack2 · 07/08/2024 22:03

Why does it matter ? Just out of interest

It doesn’t ‘matter’ but it’s a really interesting social issue linked to feminism, women’s rights, relationships, communities…, to discuss as seen by the number of people posting on this thread!

I wonder if the upwards trend will switch back at any point and some women may start having their first child younger?

mondaytosunday · 08/08/2024 07:54

Under 25 here too (I was 41 and 43 when I had mine).
In fact I probably think under 30 is quite young too!

Sunshineandpool · 08/08/2024 07:53

I'd say anyone in their 20s would seem like a young mum to me now.

Also I felt like a young mum when around school mums even for my youngest who I was 32 when I had her just because most were older.

Sethera · 08/08/2024 07:51

Nowadays, under 25.

OneCandidShark · 08/08/2024 07:51

I was 23 when I had my son and 26 when I had my daughter.
I was young compared to their peers parents but I didn’t feel a young mum as my mum had me and my siblings at a similar age as did my aunts (having my cousins).
My personal cutoff for having more was 30 - I personally couldn’t imagine having toddlers in my 30s or primary age children now in my 40s.
I look at my SIL who has a 3 year old at 42 and I don’t know how she does it.

BendingSpoons · 08/08/2024 07:49

Under 25. Although having a child under 30 in central-ish London I was one of the youngest.

Did they know you had another child? You could be a 'young mum' to be 30 with a 10yo.

K0OLA1D · 08/08/2024 07:49

I was 21. I was young. But I wasn't too young.

notacooldad · 08/08/2024 07:48

Under 18.