What age would you quietly think is young to have a baby?

[Bebebaba]

Times are changing and first time parents definitely seem a lot older around where I am. Myself and DH are quite young but would like a family. Just curious to know what age MNers would privately think was young, or too young!

I’d say 25 and under is a bit young. Personally I think men should wait until they’re over 30.

Under 21/23 young, under 18 too young.
I find it wild people think 30 is young to start
What do people class as too old???

I tend to think over 40 is too old, but I know that won’t be a popular view!

I'd say under 25 is still quite young. I had DS1 when I had just turned 27. DH was 31 and we had been together for 6 years by then. I was 32 when I had DS2 and DH was 36 - later than I would have liked, but it took ages to conceive.

Now I'm 40, my two are 13 and 7 and I'm glad that they are becoming more independent. I've got friends who have tiny babies and toddlers and I'm so glad we are through that stage and I mostly get a decent night's sleep now.

I would say under 25 is "young". And I had my first at 21. Obviously I wouldn't change it but honestly, I wasn't ready to be looking after a small human and none of my friends would have been either. Happily DC are alive and thriving and in every way they saved me from a bad path that I was unaware I was travelling at the time.
Many of my friends have had their first children in the last two or three years- we're in our early thirties now.

I think under 20 is too young.

21/22 is young but not too young. I’d be more concerned about finances at that age. 23 and over is normal in my eyes. Defo by 25 you’re old enough.

23 and under

I think these days biology and societal expectations don't line up.

Probably 20 is about the youngest . In the 70s and 80s it was usual for people to be married and having kids from about 20 onwards. These parents were just as good a parent as other age groups. It's society that's changed.

This is another discussion but I Sometimes feel ' young ' adults are infantised these days.

Maybe under 18? I got pregnant with my first at 19 and was done by the age of 25. Looking back now I'm so glad I had them young, my parents were old when they had me and I hated having the oldest parents at the school gate, plus it has enabled them more time with their grandchildren.

Under 25 is young but I think under the right circumstances then physically it is preferred (stable relationship etc). I was married and had my first at 24. We have been together 10 years now and have 2 children. I know some people felt I was too young. A lot of people say to wait until at least 30, but if it doesn't happen straight away that doesn't leave a lot of time for siblings before 35. A lot of issues come from geriatric pregnancies so I don't think this is something that should be pushed forward as being the prime time to have children. Of course for some people this decision is out of their hands.

Under 18.

It depends if you mean from the point of view of the care of the child or from the point of view of the enjoyment of youth on the part of the young mother.

I'm sure women under 25 can be the most wonderful mothers, so it's not too young from that POV but it's too young in terms of the young woman living her life and having a career, travel etc.

So for me, under 25 is both young and too young.

Under 21 is too young, 21-25 depends a lot on circumstances - if you have completed education, have decent housing and a good job then it's fine but in reality most young people aren't in that position

I had my first at 27 and was the first by some years in my peer group
Dd had a baby at 22 and isn't unusual in her peer group at all.

I would agree. Although I think 40 is a young age in general I think I would find it horrible to go through pregnancy, baby, toddler stage at that stage

I always think of anyone having a baby in their 20s as so young. I had my first at 32 and felt like a young mum!
This is definitely my thing though, there are lots of 20 somethings who are great parents and I do wish I'd had mine a bit earlier now!

Under 30 is young and under 25 is too young. It's not just about the baby, it's about the parents too and u25 is far too young for them.

Under 25 I spose

I mean not shock horror, just, not fully grown up so not the best idea

Under 18 Definitely not because you are still growing as a person and have not experienced life as yet or finished education.
18 - 22 Too young but possible with good support/maturity of mother
22 - 25 Young mother

Under 25.

Also will depend on what financial situation you are in

16 or 17

Under 18 I would say was young, anyone over 32 is an older mum

Under 17 probably too young. Under 21 - young. Over 34 probably too old.

It just means living your life in a different order. I was 21 when I had mine. My career really got started in my early 30s and I did my travelling when I had the money to enjoy it - I was never, ever going to be happy backpacking. You can have a lot more fun on decent money a bit later in life.

@TwigTheWonderKid we def are extending childhood. Eg University used to be for adults. Now there are calls for unis to contact parents about their kids mh. That is a major breach of privacy and not the kind of institution unis were ever meant to be.
Linked to parental support / loans being linked to household income as parents / step parents that live in the same house are expected to support their kids at uni until 25 or declare them estranged to get the full loan.
Minimum wage is for 23 and over, changing back to 21.
In Scotland recently a rapist was not sent to prison because poor diddums was under 25 so couldn't possibly understand what he did wrong, plus he was struggling with his identity.