Is 26 considered young to have a baby?

[Niki93]

Hi. Im 26, been with my partner 4 years now. We bought our first house in 2018, both work full time and we just about get on in life fine. We arent massive high earners, but we arent idiots with money, we prioritise and save up so everything works out well. Without sounding at all egotistical, we’re probably abit more ahead of others in our friendship group in terms of maturity/goals etc. But that’s not to say we’re Any better than anyone of course, we just put our heads together, work well together and work hard for what we have really. And now with a baby on the way we’re deffo growing up even more and starting a new chapter with new priorities. Which we enjoy!

We announced our pregnancy in November. Im due in May. Its my first pregnancy and we’re very excited. Everyones been over the moon for us, its been lush. But, one thing ive noticed a few people mention is categorising me as a ‘young mam’. I didnt really think this was the case. Is it?

Im not offended at all. Im just abit curious. I considered 16-23 young ish. Not 26. I know a mixture of people who’ve had children at different life stages. My cousins 30 and still wants to wait untill she has children which is absolutely fine. Then my mam had my sister at 18 and still managed well untill me and my brother came along a few years later. I thought 26 was more medium average age?

Not really a AIBU questions, just asking out of curisosiry if people would class 26 as young to have a child, or not. :) whats your thoughts x

Had my third aged 26.

Now 44 with 22, 20 and nearly 18 years old.

My life is my own and I have 3 fantastic kids, all good

Had my first at 25 and second at 27. They are now 22 and 20, one is working F/T in a big city, the other is at uni. My life is now pretty much my own and I'm 47. Glad I had them when I was relatively young.

I think 26 is young but, if you are financially secure, have somewhere of your own to live then fine. That said, all of my friends and I waited till their mid 30s after having done degrees and were established in their jobs before we had our first.

Biologically you are old. Today for many reasons its young. I was 22

I was 26 when I had my first baby (this was 13 years ago now!). I was the first amongst our friendship group to have a baby too. It was lovely though. Met new friends in the baby groups, whole new world! Enjoy every moment op. I think its a great age to have a baby.

I had my first at 26. I’m definitely young at baby groups in our area, and I was the first of my friendship group, but we’re also the only ones out of my friendship group who have bought a house. I think the difference is that having done a vocational degree and being settled into an NHS job meant that having a baby felt quite secure as I wasn’t desperately trying to climb a career ladder so much as many of my other friends (who have much greater earning potential tbf but more uncertainty).

It varies so much by area though. Having worked in maternity for a number of years I have worked in GP surgeries where the average age is 35 or older, others where it’s early 20s, and others where there is more of an even split. Currently the average first time mums I care for are in the 26-30 bracket.

There’s never a perfect time to have a baby.

I had my first at 28. My parents were disgusted with me that I was having a baby at a very young age, whereas my inlaws didn’t stop going on about how old I was to be having a baby! I’d like a third but I’m in my early 40s now and I’m just too tired.

It would be young for my circle of friends. Most of them who had children did so in their thirties.

I wish I'd had my kids in my 20s. You have your life back in your 40s.

I had a 2yo and a 4yo at 26! I think 24/26 is a good age to start a family. With hindsight I was a little young having my first at 22 but I’m in my early 40’s now and my eldest children are independent. If I’d not had my younger two my life would be mine again now and id still be young enough to change career/travel/ move area etc plus my parents were young enough to be active grandparents.

That’s about the age I had mine. It’s a great age, bags of energy to cope and a chance to build an uninterrupted career afterwards.

I was getting my life back at the age when older mothers are facing the broken nights and problems of juggling young children and careers.

I don’t regret it for one moment and I’d do it that way again if I had my time over.

I’d say it’s at the younger end of the “normal” range for having a baby, but definitely in that range.

I think it is young yes too young no.

It is younger than most people these days that I know. Round here most are around 30 for a first, but at work 30 is young for a first baby....

I had my first at 28. My parents were disgusted with me that I was having a baby at a very young age, whereas my inlaws didn’t stop going on about how old I was to be having a baby!

So both sets of parents are total nutters 🤷🏻‍♀️. You couldn't make it up.

I don't understand the judgement. Having a baby is perfectly reasonable post probably 21 once you feel ready until you personally feel too old. So really anything between about 21 and 45 is the 'normal' range for me.

Good age imo. Go for it

Biologically you are old.

not according to doctors.

I had my first at 24 (10 years ago) and was told I was an old Mam Ive just had my second 10 years later so assuming i must be geriatric one now

I had my first at 24 (10 years ago) and was told I was an old Mam

By who exactly? 😂😂🤷🏻‍♀️

I think it depends what you want to achieve before you have children. Many professions require degrees and post graduate training with ridiculous hours while you get experience. Most people transition into more family friendly roles once they have children but you need to have established yourself first. You just can’t do those hours if you have children which is why many women aren’t having children until well into their 30’s.

I had my first at 20 and my last at 28. I felt really old when I had my last I would’ve preferred to have had them all before 25, it’s all relative I suppose I like how I’ll be only just 46 when my eldest is 18. My life will be more my own to enjoy than like my parent who had kids later into life and still have my brother living with them at 67.

Nope. I am classed as middle class and had my first much younger than 26. I still have a degree, career, own my home etc. It didn’t stop my life at all.

Young by today’s standards but not young really.

think it depends what you want to achieve before you have children. Many professions require degrees and post graduate training with ridiculous hours while you get experience. Most people transition into more family friendly roles once they have children but you need to have established yourself first. You just can’t do those hours if you have children which is why many women aren’t having children until well into their 30’s

Rubbish, I have worked my way up (while being a single mum of 3) and my company paid for me to do my degree, now in my 40s I am not restricted by young children.

Iwasneveragoddess

Good for you. Hand clap
Not everyone is you.

Some people prefer to choose the easier option of doing it all before they have children.

@ginfordinner

Yeah they do - I was just making the point it’s not impossible

No need to be so aggressive