How old is too old to have a baby?

For me, 33/34 would have been the cut off point. I had my last one at 31. After your mid thirties there are far too many additional risks for both mother and child.

I would have still had kids - but I don't think as many or as close together

Though if I was now the age we started I don't think we'd be able to afford to do what we did either.

Had mine at 26 and 27 and then had my tubes tied and I am done.

I don't know something about this statement make me feel very depressed.

And this, absolutely! People who have kids already can say any arbitrary age as a cut off, because they’re done with it.

It was when I turned 46 (I'm 47, almost 48 now) that I felt too old to have a child. I was in perfect health, had no symptoms of perimenopause but the idea of having a 13-year-old at 60 just felt unfair (to both the child and me) to me. So, sad as I am not to have children, the cut off for me is 46 (i.e. getting pregnant before you're 46 & a quarter!).

An older couple near us have a young adult with severe Autism {mother must have been 40 when he was born with an older husband- and it looks to be very hard physical work. They are pension age now.

Their son needs two strong, young fit male carers to manage him whenever he sets foot outside the house. He can't follow instructions like ''Don't run into traffic/into that person's front garden/into danger''.

I’m 30 weeks pregnant with my first at 42! (Didn’t meet someone who wanted kids until older and had a lot of losses before this baby). Embryo/egg was made at age 39 and genetically tested as normal.

I had my last at 38. I am very fit and healthy. He's coming up for 16 now and I'm 54. All fine, but I see my peers who had children younger getting out and doing stuff I want to do (going away for weekends), or working part time (and doing stuff I want to do!).
My opinion is impacted because I've been a lone parent for many years (so alone and need to work full time to support home and kids).

I also have significant caring responsibilities for the generation above.

It really depends on so many factors, but I do think it's preferable to have them younger rather than older if you have a choice.

I wasn't emotionally mature enough to be a mother until after my mid-30s.
I had my first baby at 36, second at 38.

Personally I'd say early 40s would've been my cut-off, because sleepless nights and running after a toddler in your late 40s must be very wearing.

Having said that, if the woman is fit, able and financially secure and understands she'll have the demands of looking after young children into her 50s, she's not too old to have a baby.

This ^. Also feel like it gets asked every week and wonder why people care what others do?

Had my DC at 44; now 53 year old mum of a wonderful 9 year old. Loving every minute. Didn't have a problem with sleepless nights when a baby and not too tired to enjoy hanging out and doing fun things with her now.

For me 40 would of been my cut off point, but I had 3 by 30 so already exhausted to have more. I'm 44 now and have more independence from the early years, also health issues that have crept up on me now, so glad I didn't leave it late, it might seem a good idea having a baby late but if you're faced a sudden health decline, it would be very difficult.

I had grand plans to be done by 35 which was very naive given we started TTC with me at 30 and finally had our special edition at 38. You don't know what is going to happen but I definitely think 40 is a cut off just socially.

I'm far older than most of the school mums and just feel a bit worn out as I had a non sleeper as well until they were 5!!!

Personally I think 'younger = better' as someone who has had kids in her late teens, late 20s and mid 30s (I always thought I would be done by 30) the younger one was by far physically easiest.

I also always wanted a big family but suffered infertility so it ended up taking decades to realize that dream of having more than one child despite a lot of active trying. Lots of tests, treatment, loss and saving money to get there and if I started late I likely wouldn't have had more than one if lucky.

While I would advise people of my experience if they are asking (like here) I'm not stopping anyone doing what they want, if they want to have a baby at 50 thats their choice.

My Nana had my dad late, she thought she had just entered menopause and he was the youngest of 6 and younger than his own niece and nephew and my Nana lived to be in her 90s dying when my dad was in his late 40s.

On the flip side my own mam died young, had she had me at say 43 I would be a child growing up without a mother.

I'll be 35 when I have this baby and always said that would be my cut off. I'm both ends of the scale though as I had my first when I was 17 and feel better mentally as I got older

Anything over 40+ is a bit too old I think but 45 would probably be the limit because I still think it is fine to have a baby at say 42.

I had mine at 22 (twins), 25, 28 and 31. I think I heavily preferred being pregnant in my 20s to be honest. I wouldn't have had a baby past 35 as that would probably be my limit but I was done after 31 anyway.

Most (all?) children who goes through adoption have come from trauma. So not really the ideal conditions you’re looking for surely? I know 2 happy families who have adopted but it’s not smooth sailing and straightforward.

Technically, too old is when you hit menopause. On a personal level, 40 would have been too old for me. I had my second at 34, which means they will both be out of uni and hopefully on their own two feet by the time I'm 56-57 - then I can happily retire and enjoy my freedom (maybe).

Why are you all so tired?! I'm 38 and feel fine. You all need some iron and some carbs!

I said 40 and I would not be having a baby at 40 or later, regardless of the circumstances.

Interesting answers here given the average age of a first time mum in 2024 is 31.

I think any age so long as your feel fit and healthy. It’s completely normal where I am to have children in your late 30s and early 40s.

I’ve never heard anyone suggest they’ve struggled to cope because of their age. The idea is quite funny really.

My own personal deadline was 35 but as this thread illustrates it's different for everyone!

I had mine at 28 and 32 and for me that is perfect.

One of my closest friend's had her one and only at 38. She's doing great and I'm happy for her but perimenopause and raising a toddler looks really tough.

I had my youngest age 32, I am 35 years old now, I still feel broody at times but I know I would struggle with another little one and I am also concerned about my age. I look in the mirror can see I am starting to look older-not young adult anymore.

I don't judge women for having children older, its personal choice.

I agree, I was early 40s. One woman in our coffee group said something catty about how tired I must be. I was elated to be a parent and felt much less tired than she looked

I'm similar, except like @Skepticgal I'll probably adopt if I can't have them.
I want children, but only in ideal conditions. Ideal being things somewhat under my control like my financial situation, being married to a good man etc.
Going it alone, IVF aren't lengths I'm willing to go to.

When I was younger 30 was my cut off point. I had mine when I was 21, 24 and 25.

Now their all getting older... I'm 32 and debating if I should have another. I've felt like this for the last 4 years, the broodiness is not going away 🤣