How do you stop being broody?

[Tararararara]

Just that really? Because I have no idea. I'm broody as hell, have been since DC2 was born. I knew when I had her that we weren't 'complete', however for lots of reasons, DC3 would be a bad idea, though I know it's something I'll regret not doing (but know deep down not doing is the right thing).

How do you reconcile biology with reality? DH feels similarly (DC3 is a bad idea though not unwanted). I just want to stop wanting. We won't be doing it, but it's preoccupying me!

You don't - you live with it.
My 80 year old neighbour told me she is still really broody and would love another one!

Savourysenorita nope. 1 of each.

Yeah you really don't, if you're prone to broodiness it's a cross you have to bear. I spend my life fighting it.

If you're financially stable and you're not going into it to get a particular sex then I'd say what the heck.... I'd go for it!

Still broody after number 3 here so don’t assume it will go away after another! I think at some point you decide to listen to your brain instead of your ovaries.

Watching this as feel similar!

Why do some women feel broody and others don't?

I found this hard, and the only thing that has helped is time. I wanted three but couldn't due to hyperemesis and severe depression after birth.

Mine are 10 and 12 now and I've put it to bed- really only stopped in last three ish years.

I still think about what I'm going to call my next baby though!

Oh and a dog really helped- he is my third baby.

DoThePropeller that's my concern. my mum has 5, she wanted more. She's a shit mum and we share many features!

Just think if broodiness wasn't a reality the human race would probably die out. And even if you have a third there is no guarantee broodiness would go. It's nature's way.

How come this happens? I have one child and barely have enough time to scratch my head, I'm tired, I've literally aged and I don't have a social calendar even before lockdown and somehow crazy me thinks it's a good idea to have another one and sensible me keeps on saying no bad idea. Really reading through this with interest.

Peachypips78 that might be the answer! I do really want a dog.

sleepymumm it's definitely not rational! I've never experienced anything like it.

I don't think it does go away. I've just had my third child, he's only a little baby and I'd like another.

I'm packing away all his little things as he grows out of them thinking I'll save them 'just in case' knowing full well there will be no more.

A third changes the dynamics and the new baby has definitely taken time away from my older two.
A day at the beach last year with two was bliss and so much fun.
We went again this year with the baby and it was really hard work!

Just think of all the sleepless nights, that puts me off.

I felt broody for DD, it was all I could think about. We want another, but honestly I’m dreading the baby phase. I want DD to have a sibling but it’s not that ‘biological’ urge. If I could skip the first 2 years I would. I can’t wait to have another child, then to be done and get DH the snip.

I don’t understand the wanting a baby thing when you’ve had a baby already and know what it’s like! It’s not like the first time when you have the rose tinted glasses. Maybe that’s just because mine had colic though. I can’t understand wanting more than 2 kids (I mean 1 is a lot as it is), life is such hard work! Just noooo.

I have three (7, 4 and a 3 month old). Honestly thought I would feel done after DD3 but I don't. However, I can't go through pregnancy and childbirth again. It's just not something I'm willing to do. And yet I would love another baby, but it won't happen. I'm hoping the feeling goes away with time to be honest!

Read up on a HG pregnancy and then imagine having it for 9 months... I am coming to the tailend of my 2nd one and am literally getting sterilised so I am never pregnant again!

Baby very much wanted but my god, being pregnant is fucking awful.

Nearly 51 years ago I almost died giving birth to my first baby.I got serious complications during labour so had an EMCS and the GA given nearly killed my DC1 and me.Another baby was the last thing on my mind afterwards.Then I suddenly got very very broody and wanted to risk having another so I got pregnant again.The whole pregnancy was spent in fear.In those days tokophobia did not officially exist in fact it was unheard of.So was asking for and getting a planned c section.
On my first ante natal the consultant sort of promised me a planned c section and also the tubal tie.Then he changed his mind and declared I had to go through a trial of labour.Complications set in again and straight to EMCS.
Without going into the frightening and horrible details my DC2 and I survived the GA. The tubal tie was done during the section and it immediately it hit me like a bomb, no more children ever.The extreme broodiness lasted for years until my grandchildren and great grandchildren arrived also my age advancing.
It has never really left me despite all the dangers.

I have 3. Ive been in a constant state of broodiness since having my first 10 years ago, second is now 3 and youngest is 3 months. Circumstances didn't permit another baby for a long time and I was unsure if I'd ever get the chance again and thankfully I did. After having the first and second I was so broody and it never eased up. After having my third I am completely done and I never thought I'd be at peace with broodiness. I can safely say I am 100% satisfied with having 3. I couldn't say that when I had 1 or 2. My advice is if you both feel it then maybe just go for it? It feels so lovely to not be yearning for something or worrying about fertility or the mind wondering into a possible future baby all the time. Not what you want to hear but by the looks of it its either that or time!

I honestly don’t know.

My first made me very sick.

My second nearly killed me.

I found the baby years really hard.

We didn’t have any money.

Yet I have never regretted having a third, and after that the broodiness went away forever.

If current youngest is 22 months then is potty training imminent? I've found it has totally put me off the idea of a third - staying up all night cwtching a baby sounds manageable but having to be on constant high alert for free-range poo... The thought of going through this again puts me off babies completely!

Btw my youngest is now 15 and I adore having teens. You just never know how things will turn out.

I had four DC in less than 6 years and the minute the last was born I no longer felt broody. When I see a pregnant woman or newborn there’s not a bit of me that wants one now. My youngest is 10 now too. I think I’ve moved on to wanting kittens.

I have the opposite problem, 30 years old, planning to have a baby in the next few years and I don’t feel broody at all, never have and I’m not sure why?