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Original poster

Is anything good about giving birth in January?

148 replies

m00ngirl · 03/04/2024 21:38

Like lots of us here I'll now be TTC this month for a January baby...

Is there anything good about giving birth in January?

I really do want to start a family, been trying for ages and soon to have first fertility clinic appointment as well. But I generally hate January and find it quite depressing.

It's not a winter thing. I'd have loved giving birth in November or December when things are Christmassy and fun and cosy.

But I get terrible January blues for some reason - and I'm finding it hard to get excited about this cycle. I'm not being shallow, I really do want a baby and will be delighted just to have a pregnancy if I ever do manage to and would cherish them at any time of year, I'm just worried about January blues making late pregnancy/birth/those first weeks harder...

Has anyone given birth in January?! Any pros and cons?!

OP posts:
OolongTeaDrinker · 13/04/2024 23:16

We have a January born, it's a nice month for a birthday. My brother has a January birthday too, so it's always been known as a birthday month for me and not negative at all. I feel sorry for one of my NCT group whose baby came 3 weeks early on Dec 27th, now that is not a great birthday!

EventuallyDecluttered · 14/04/2024 14:49

Newsenmum · 10/04/2024 09:24

I have a Jan baby and this is all true, but didn’t love all the limits on what I could eat/drink over Christmas mostly due to such bad heartburn!

Show quote history

Yes, I was severely limited by heartburn and no alcohol both the Christmases I was heavily pregnant. it was not fun. My ideal birth months would have been Feb/Mar then there is a bit of a gap after Christmas. At the moment we have far too many things in quick succession

Christmas
Two weeks
Birthday
Two weeks
Birthday
Two weeks
Valentine (just cards)
Two weeks
Birthday
Four weeks
Mothers Day
few weeks
Easter
then one more birthday in summer.

I'd rather they were all spread out more.

Lelophants · 14/04/2024 17:12

I loved Autumn baby first time around as you have the whole winter to be snuggly and then Christmas, ahhh. Second time round Jan was better (but later in spring would have been preferable) because you still have to entertain the toddler and it would have been sooo much easier to just go outside.

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WonderingWanda · 14/04/2024 17:17

People born in January always quite like January, it's a good excuse to have a party and not do depressing diets and dry January.

rosegarden95 · 02/05/2025 17:32

If you hate January it’s more of a reason to try for a January baby as you will have your baby’s birthday then!!

ItTook9Years · 02/05/2025 17:35

DH’s birthday is 2nd January - officially the worst day to be born.

He got “joint” Xmas and birthday presents as a child - except they were the same as his (summer born) brothers got just for Xmas. As a child nobody had any money or energy for parties just after new year and then it was back to school. As a young adult everyone was skint and hungover and didn’t want to do anything.

DN was very nearly born on 29th Feb which runs a close second.

pinkisthenew · 02/05/2025 17:35

Having a baby

JackJarvisEsq · 02/05/2025 17:36

PassingStranger · 03/04/2024 21:55

That will depend on the child how well they do.

Show quote history

And where you live. In Scotland January is second youngest

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 02/05/2025 18:12

Having the baby in January is fine, but it's a rubbish birthday for the child. Straight after Xmas, can't do anything for a party outside cause the weather is always so bad. I hadn't really thought it through when I was TTC.

TokyoKyoto · 02/05/2025 18:15

If you're breastfeeding then you don't resent all that time on the sofa with a newborn because it's cold and dark outside anyway.

Conversely new mums and babies need a sanity walk a couple of times a day, so it's not great for that aspect of it. But you forget the cold and remember the walks, so project yourself forward in time, wrap up, and have a nice time.

HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMyRear · 02/05/2025 18:20

I got married in January, precisely because it can feel like a bit of a joyless month. Now, for us, it's got the joy of celebrating our wedding anniversary!

For you, it will have the joy of celebrating the miracle of becoming parents and the unique and precious human who is your child 🥰

Lean into it with snowdrops in the garden and a lovely big birthday celebration every year with the house covered in bunting or snowflakes or whatever you fancy, and fairy lights everywhere.

Mary46 · 02/05/2025 18:23

Hate my January birthday! My son is march nice time of year but sure cant always plan it like that

WillItEverWork · 02/05/2025 19:05

I gave birth in an old hospital, in July, in one of the hottest summers on record. The heat was so unbearable, especially on the ward that had huge south facing windows.

Lilothblos · 02/05/2025 19:58

Unhelpful from all those who have only given negative aspects of January birthdays, not what OP asked for…

I had a January baby last year and honestly it was great. When they’re little you can cosy up indoors without feeling pressure to be out and about, and once they start getting more alert the weather is improving, it’s lovely. Then you have a birthday to brighten up every January and something to look forward to when the Christmas decs are packed away!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/05/2025 20:05

Lilothblos · 02/05/2025 19:58

Unhelpful from all those who have only given negative aspects of January birthdays, not what OP asked for…

I had a January baby last year and honestly it was great. When they’re little you can cosy up indoors without feeling pressure to be out and about, and once they start getting more alert the weather is improving, it’s lovely. Then you have a birthday to brighten up every January and something to look forward to when the Christmas decs are packed away!

Edited

Doesn't really matter now though - OP got a Spring baby.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/05/2025 20:07

Much better than giving birth in June - DS has still not got over having to take his Maths A Level on his 18th birthday!

nhsmanagersanonymous · 02/05/2025 20:26

I had one. Presents in the sales is excellent and it breaks the month up. Restaurants often have offers on. And then they are a very nice age in the spring, for a summer holiday and for their first Christmas

Darkambergingerlily · 02/05/2025 20:27

haveyoutriedturningitoffandonagain · 03/04/2024 21:46

Yes you get a baby

This!!

I tried for a certain month for dc2. When it took ages I just didn’t care any day of the year was fine with me

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 02/05/2025 21:47

I did!
The hospital will be much less busy than September etc!
You can really nest and sit in snugly getting ready for baby in January
You can wind down work at Xmas and not really start anything new in January even if you work up till your due date you won't get given much
You want to be home most of the time anyway for the first month
By the time you start wanting to do baby classes etc it's spring and you'll love your walks with the daffodils
Summer with a 5-7 month old is so dreamy as you can do constant picnics and they just sit or lie there looking cute, they don't crawl or run away!
If you take the full year off then squeeze in a cheap winter sun holiday early Jan just before you go back to work
You can do birthday parties in soft play and everyone can come as no one gets double booked that time of year
You now have something fun to smile about in January
Until baby is at school you could take them on a hot holiday for their bday

coronafiona · 02/05/2025 22:59

They love having a party in January, and more presents. And they are just a delight to hibernate with away from the cold weather on mat leave!

rosegarden95 · 03/05/2025 21:13

WoodsTreesWhere · 03/04/2024 21:50

I am due in August. Scared of being pregnant in a heatwave, baby being too hot and not being able to do anything about it, recovering / having the first hard weeks in summer when I won’t be able to go out, then being in winter during the bit when I will want to get out and about with them, it being a summer born boy.

Good things about Jan - you’re doing the hard early stay inside weeks when it’s crap weather, and as it all gets easier and you want to get out it will get lighter and good weather! I’d far rather have it that way around.

Also statistically fewer people born in Jan so hospital less busy, more staff, more likely to get a private room.

I had a baby in August! It’s not that bad. The last few weeks it was a heatwave but I stayed indoors and drank a lot of water! Good luck!

Seeyousoonboo · 04/05/2025 06:53

Dd was due Jan 16th and arrived December 27th. He's 21 this year and I've always loved having a Christmas baby.

rosegarden95 · 05/05/2025 15:09

interested to know if you tried for the month of January in the end it’s not that bad x

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