How old is too old to have a baby?

Yep I’m 50 and don’t really feel much different to my 30’s. I’m a little bit lazier and less fit, but that’s mainly because technology has reduced the need to be as active.

i would have another baby now if i got pregnant, I think I’d cope ok. I don’t want to though as I’m getting my life back and have shit to do.

I do think this narrative that older mothers find it harder and are more “tired” is more because most older mother are on their second or third. I don’t think there’s much difference in energy levels between a 20 year old with one and a 35 year old with one. If you’re comparing yourself at 20 with one vs at 35 with 3 then of course you’ll be exhausted at that age 😂

Among my DCs friends, well educated professionals, the usual
age for first baby is 35 ish, maybe 37 if it takes a while to conceive. Second ones then usually up to 40/42. DS became a father at 38 and DD will be just 39 when she has her first .

Depends how fit and healthy and active you are. Two friends had final babies in their forties. One is super fit and active and is a real powerhouse and loving it all. She’s full of energy. The other one is…not. And she’s really, really struggling.

Active mum has a bad sleeper too and the other one has a really good sleeper. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Then why ask:

Just wondering how old is too old to have a baby? Fair enough being healthy etc is fine.. but how old is too old?

If you don't want anyone to actually answer the exact question you've asked because your age is what 95% of people consider as too old?

If you wanted a thread telling you what you want to hear, maybe go with:

Tell me what's great about being an elderly mother. Only great things. Nothing else.

Because as this is your 4th identical thread that's got 4 lots of identical answers that you don't like. If you keep asking the same question, you'll get the same answers.

Also wondering if you've (allegedly) had a baby 2 months ago, and didn't think you were too old for that, why on earth you need all this (attention?) pondering when you're the grand sum of 2 months older than when you find it acceptable to have a baby? It's 2 months.

No such thing as “too old” for a natural pregnancy in my opinion. I don’t know many people under 30 who have the house, finances and career in place to think bringing a baby into the world is a good idea. Hence the “older” age of mothers these days.

I am 36 and pregnant with my first. For me personally the cut off would probably be 40 for having another.

@Nursingadvice my mother was 39 having me and I never even noticed she was an older mum until I was a teenager. I can’t believe you thought your mum was old at 30! Maybe where you live it is different to where I live but even when I was a child 30 was in no way old to be a mother.

I had mine at 38 and 41. They are teens now. I do feel a bit sad I am not younger to enjoy their teens but we are still a pretty active family and do a lot of adventure sports together. Also a bit sad about the grandparent gulf - I could be in my 80s with primary aged GCs.

But sad enough I wish I didn't have kids. Not on your nelly. That's insane!

Making this a mildly interesting question - the answer to which is always: there are different drawbacks at different ages - a sweet spot in the middle (27 to 32) with the fewest drawbacks, but life seldom works that neatly and as long as you can get pregnant it's fine.

People grossly overstate the risks of later pregnancies and forget that younger pregnancy is no guarantee against additional challenges or poor outcomes.
Nothing in life is perfect. We all take life as it comes.

I had my second and last at 25, which I know is on the younger side. But I’m 37 now and absolutely can not imagine having a toddler or baby at this age. For me 30 is the cut off. My Mum had me at 30 and I viewed her as an older Mum.
I think for me, I view this time in life as ‘my time’ where as I guess most people do that in their twenties when I had 2 children.
But I do feel at 37 I’m getting ‘old’. I worry about health problems beggining to arise in coming years and I’m glad that my kids will be older when and if that happens.

Personally, 40. Met DH at 27, married at 33, DDs at 34 and 38 and was very very much done at that point!

Why does it matter what other people think ? I see some people on this thread saying over 30 is too old.. which is just bizarre to me, in my 20s I was out travelling and having the best years and can’t imagine having kids at that age. Im sure it has its advantages though. It all depends on your own circumstances and it doesn’t matter what other people think .

After menopause!
Every one is different. I had my last at 33 but have friends who didn't meet their partners until later. I don't consider myself a better parent than them because I was younger 🙃

You have summed this up perfectly in 2 lines 👍

You have come to the wrong place then.

In an ideal world I think 40 is the oldest. Dealing with teenagers in my 59’s would be sheer hell. Couple that with menopause and looking after elderly relatives it would be awful. But everyone is different.

Exactly, it hugely depends on the person. There are 50 year olds with more energy, and in better health than some 30 year olds. Some people need more sleep than others, so do better on less. Others would prefer to do other things than raise a baby as they get older, especially if they have dcs already. Just do what suits you!

I had my last baby 4 months ago at 35 I wouldn't want any after the age I am now

I'd advise some self care and in future don't open and read these threads

@Shaz83 surely it depends on your circumstances? I would have loved to have a baby in my 20s or 30s but sadly that was not possible.

I don't think there is a right answer to this. I'm 43 and have not been lucky enough to have children. A close friend in her 30s has a toddler, and whilst I have loved being involved in his life from the start, I have come to realise restarting fertility treatment again now would probably be a mistake.

I have a colleague who is 46 who.has just had her 5th child (happy accident she called it) and she has just got straight back into the swing of things and is loving having another one.

Look, you're 41 and you want a baby. If you've thought it about it carefully and your DH is on board, then why not go for it?
I don't see why you've started four posts about this. It's your life, if you'll be happy to do it then go for it. Our opinion is irrelevant (especially when you dismiss the negative posts anyway).
You'll always get a range of opinions (as you have in your four posts). Some people think 30 is too late, while others think 45 is fine. Some people love being older mums, whilst others find it tough.
There's are pros and cons of being an older mum, just as there are pros and cons of being a young mum. It seems like you only want to hear the pros.