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!

Under 20 I would consider too young.
I had mine just after my 23rd birthday and another at 26.
I am 40 now and whilst I am happy for first time mothers at my age I am also hugely relieved it isn't me!

I was 26, which is not too young to have a baby. Women on Mumsnet seem to think under 30 is basically a teen pregnancy. I'd say 24 and under is young, but teens is very young.

Under 25 is too young for me. Under 30 is surprising.

In my mind it depends on your circumstances entirely. Generally under 22 probs young.

I was pregnant at 26 with a very planned baby. Married at 25. Bought house with DH pre-marriage at 24. We had been together 6 years pre pregnancy. Both of us went to uni and we got together just before my postgrad year. I'd just qualified as a lawyer and husband was a qualified teacher in his second year of teaching (also 26 at pregnancy). We'd agreed to try for a baby once our joint income hit a particular level we thought would be sufficient. We were both 27 when DS1 came along. DS2 arrived when I was 32.

I had a baby at 19. I think anything under about 25 is too young.

Personally anyone under 30, but to each their own.

I had mine at 20 and I do think that was too young, so anything under 25.

I can speak to both ends. My first I was 24 and my fourth when I was 43. I can say I am 95% of the person I was at 24 and as a parent (emotionally) exactly the same. The difference is that I just don’t have the energy I had in my 20s and so physically cannot do as much with the youngest. I also worry about not being there for my youngest in a way I didn’t for my oldest. I look and think if I die at 70 my oldest will be nearly 50 but my youngest in my 20s and that I will be able to support my eldest when (if) they have children in a way I just will not for my youngest. There is a reality that if you choose to live your life before having children you will have less of your life to live with them. That is no judgement, it is just a fact. And it may be that by waiting whilst the life you have with them is less in terms of time it may be of much higher quality.

So I don’t look at anyone and think ‘too young’ (perhaps anything, from experience and with sympathy, ‘too old’ 😉) but rather do they seem to be happy as a parent and are the children well adjusted and kind. Having children has been the greatest joy and greatest sacrifice in my life and I can honestly say that there would have been no ‘perfect’ age to have them.

I think it depends on the people and their set up. I know people in their early 30s who are still not really ready for kids either emotionally or due to lifestyle/finances. On the flip side I know people much younger who are (well as ready as you can ever be 🤣)

Under 18 too young, under 22 surprisingly young for a life choice, under 30 totally normally and to me, over 30 seems quite late in the fertility cycle.

25 and under, live some life first because once you have a baby that's it for at least a decade for the cinema, meals out, relaxing holidays etc and you will miss it!

We were 22/23 and it was young but do able - house, degrees professional jobs. I love that he has grown up with us and has is great grandparents to play with. I would say under 20ish is to young but it's more about parents situation than ages

Anyone on here saying under 30 is too young is being ridiculous.

I’d say under 21ish is too young but it depends on your situation. If you’re financially secure, not in the middle of qualifications and have a good relationship, then go for it.

Several of my friends have had kids in their mid 20s and are fantastic parents. Much more relaxed and able to handle stuff than I am at 35.

Under 25. But only because I think women should have a steady income and a home of their own before having a child, and it's unlikely these days that this can be achieved before this age.

Generally I think under 30 is young and under 20 is too young. But does depend a bit on circumstances and priorities of the people.

Under 18 too young. Any older wouldn’t really register as anything.

Your answers will vary hugely depending on where people live and their social circles. I would say 95% of the women I know of my age (60) had their children between the ages of 30 and 42.

One of my friends had her DD at 34. That DD is now expecting and will have her baby at 26. Both DH and I remarked to each other - that's kind of young!

I'd think under 20 was 'too" young. 20-25 a young mum and then just a mum.

22 or under would be ‘too young’. Anything under 28 is ‘young’. Over 40 is ‘older’. Over 46 is ‘too old’.

Several of my friends have had kids in their mid 20s and are fantastic parents. Much more relaxed and able to handle stuff than I am at 35.

That’s probably just you, rather than the age you are..?

The point i’m making is that people in their mid 20s can be fantastic parents.

Under 25.

Agree @MariaVT65 - anyone saying ‘under 30’ is too young is being ludicrous.

Probably....under 27 as young.

Under 21 as too young.

Under 26, young but not a negative.

Under 22 too young