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Original poster

Would you rather have a summer or autumn baby?

85 replies

Babydust00 · 24/05/2023 15:18

We will hopefully be trying end of this year. I understand entirely that it’s not possible for the majority of people to plan when they have their babies, if only life worked in that way

In a world where you could plan- would you try in October/November for a summer baby, or December/January for autumn? Thinking of all factors involved, academic, childcare fees, how it must be to give birth in the hottest temperatures, birthday parties growing up…

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 24/05/2023 15:25

Neither. Spring.
I have March and September babies and March is much better IMO.

SoupDragon · 24/05/2023 15:27

I agree. All three of mine are Spring.

SoupDragon · 24/05/2023 15:28

So, I was not heavily pregnant over a hot summer and they weren't newborn for a hot summer.

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Families
waterlego · 24/05/2023 15:29

I have one September baby and one April. Pros and cons to both but the Spring baby was a better experience overall (speaking purely of pregnancy and the ‘fourth trimester’, I’m not saying I prefer that baby, just to be clear 😂) I would have struggled with the heat in late pregnancy for a summer baby.

PurelyBelter · 24/05/2023 15:33

I have a mid august DD and the only downside was being massively pregnant in the heat, then having to deal with a sweaty little hot water who never wanted to be put down. But that was a fleeting moment in her life, I don't think it mattered to me at all when she was born. Lots will also say DO NOT EVER have a summer born child as they will forever be behind their peers blah blah blah.

Toomanysquishmallows · 24/05/2023 15:34

my elder two were born in January and February, my youngest is in September, I found the winter two easier , as the weather was improving as I was ready to get back in the swing of everyday life .

ThreeRingCircus · 24/05/2023 15:36

I have a winter baby and a summer baby and would choose spring and failing that, autumn. Obviously it all evens out anyway and you can't control when they're born but (very small) downsides I noticed are:

DD1 Summer baby - heavily pregnant when it's hot, seemed so young when starting school (there's a huge difference between the older ones and the summer born in Reception) and loads of school friends are away on holidays for class parties. Bonus is as she was younger when she started school we had fewer months of horrendous childcare bills.

DD2 Winter baby - bloody freezing and didn't want to go out and about as much when she was newborn. Pushing the pram in the snow and ice was no fun. Birthday is always at a freezing cold time of year so can't be out in the garden like DD1 and is also very close to Christmas. Bonus is she seemed more ready to start school.

If I could have chosen I'd have had DD1 in March and DD2 in October and actually started trying with that in mind but fate being what it is it was not to be! Ah well 🤣

AlienSupaStar · 24/05/2023 15:36

2 summer babies - July and August. I am just grateful I have them and they are healthy.

DeadwoodStage · 24/05/2023 15:37

Not a summer baby, I am hopeless in the heat but also it can mean they are the youngest in the class at school (assuming UK school).

Whichnumbers · 24/05/2023 15:38

I have one summer and one winter baby

I'd go for a winter baby for various reasons

MrsSamR · 24/05/2023 15:38

I have late May and late October and definitely pros and cons to both. We originally wanted Autumn babies so they'll be old for their school year but this means paying for an extra year of nursery fees! It's also tough with a newborn when it's cold and dark outside and you're doing night/early morning feeds and getting out and about is a less enticing prospect. It also meant being pregnant all through the Summer! Spring/Summer babies are nice as you can get out and about with them when they're newborn and don't have to worry about bundling them up and keeping them warm (although the opposite and keeping them cool I suppose!) and you're doing night feeds when it's light and warm. It's also nice for birthday parties as they grow up as you can have them outside. She will be on the younger side in her school year but verbally she is very good and I don't foresee any issues. Bit a rambling response but I guess there are pros and cons to both is the short answer!

PurpleChrayne · 24/05/2023 15:41

I preferred being heavily pregnant through the winter with DC2 for a mid-January birth. Was nauseous May/June, but much better than being huge in July/August with my September DC1.

Fedupofdiets · 24/05/2023 15:42

I have a September baby and she was very happy when she turned 18 because it meant she could go into clubs and pubs, some of her friends had to wait until the following summer....not something I thought about but she found it a huge advantage 😂

Poor DS was born between Christmas and New Year which has always been a royal pain the ass from my POV double the cost at an already expensive time of year, none of his friends around to celebrate. He however loves it and turned 18 last Birthday, again was straight down the pub with his mates...! I did find having a winter baby fine because we hibernated for a while and DS lived in baby grows.

CheshireCat1 · 24/05/2023 15:46

I had two spring babies and one summer babies. I was easier with the spring babies, longer days, earlier sun rises, more walks with the park, more uplifting.

PollyVerano · 24/05/2023 15:56

No preference.

Suprima · 24/05/2023 15:57

Currently planning my summer baby’s birthday and we are set to have glorious weather, and I’m looking forward to all of the family barbecues, pool parties and sunny evenings where we will celebrate her being another year older. It will be nice for her as she grows up and arranges her own birthday as an adult.

I had a teeny sweaty newborn in a heatwave but it’s all a distant memory now and we were fine. This all makes up for it.

Also, spreads out the presents between birthday and Christmas.

Re: school, I’m a teacher- even with key stage 1, my summer born kids have sometimes been the most mature and the autumn ones have been absolute darling plonkers. You really don’t know what you’ll get and it’s mad to miss a window which could have been ‘your month’ to think you are going to be swerving your child being the youngest and all of the apparent ills that come with it.

Hazelnuttella · 24/05/2023 15:58

Spring baby was perfect. Sun coming up in the morning makes you feel so much better when you’ve been awake most of the night.

Currently pregnant with DC 2 who would be due January/Feb. Not ideal timing, no-one really wants a January birthday but it’s not the worst thing in the world!

Imperialleathers · 24/05/2023 15:59

I have two winter babies and it was amazing for me as I was constantly hot while pregnant so didn't have to carry around a huge belly in the summer but unfortunate for them as when their birthdays come around, they can't do a garden or zoo party as it's always freezing or raining.

Serena73 · 24/05/2023 16:00

I have one early spring, one late spring. Both were great times to have a baby, when they were a few weeks old we could get out and about in parks, having picnics etc without feeling cooped up inside. Birthday wise, early spring is quite hit and miss. You can get hot sun or snow!

Spendonsend · 24/05/2023 16:01

I have one of each and prefer the winter birth.
Was heavily pregnant at a cooler point of the year.
When i felt like i wanted to recover it was cold and dark out so it didnt matter i wasnt out.
Then by spring and summer we were out.
Better for schooling.

Only downside is birthday and christmas are close.

evtheria · 24/05/2023 16:07

Didn't think about conception or birthdate when I had my summer DS.

What I dislike/worry about:

  • parties are a faff, lots of school or public breaks/events around this time, meaning friends are on holiday or celebrating something else
  • going into school: the physical, mental and behavioural difference between my child and friends who are Sept-Dec was/is noticeable. He has turned out to be more than academically capable, usually in top 5 of the class, but I may have pushed him more/spent more time early years, subconsciously.
  • When all his friends are turning 18, and he's still 17, I have a silly fear of him acting out or doing foolish things because they can drive/go clubbing, etc!

That's it, really. Didn't think about it much before I had my child! Wouldn't actually try to convince someone one way or another.

tailinthejam · 24/05/2023 16:08

I thin then, OP, what you can take away from this thread is it doesn't matter all that much, there are pros and cons to all seasons.

cptartapp · 24/05/2023 16:08

Autumn, after September to be specific. Just so they would be one of the oldest in the school year and not the youngest.

SortOfLikeAnOctopusOnlyMoreBlocky · 24/05/2023 16:09

I have two summer babies. Now very much wish I'd gone for Autumn, feel very guilty over the early school start.
Also, not as great for birthday parties as you might think, as soon as I was out of school I found myself spending my birthday alone as my friends buggered off on holiday. That could just be a me problem though.
The benefit of a summer birthday to kids is only 6 months between presents.

Newnamenewname109870 · 24/05/2023 16:09

Honestly every month has a pro, even December/Jan! I’ve always liked the idea of spring but autumn was great.