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!

@RosesAndChocolates I have a 5 month old and all I can think about is that I want one more. I have a notes document on my phone with potential names for both boy and girl that I keep adding to and I'm storing all of DD's clothes into boxes by age ready for the next one. It's mad that I feel like this already but I just want to be pregnant again and to have one more snuggly bundle. I'm loving the baby stage (although dreading toddlerhood).

@oncloudnine I think everyone experiences the baby stage differently. I’m glad you’re enjoying your 5 month old . My baby screamed all day, until about 18 months bless her. There were some lovely sofa cuddles but honestly it almost broke us. I think we both have ptsd from it! I think if you’ve had that kind of baby it’s really hard to relate to liking the baby stage lol. DD as a toddler is an absolute dream in comparison and we love all the new little things she does. I still 100% want another because I know it’s a phase that you just have to get through. The thing is, you just never know which kind of baby you’re going to get!

Agree it's funny how it varies. I was literally just thinking how much I'm enjoying my 13 month old, but find the baby year hard (except when they are tiny and sleep on you!).

Actually this thread is not helping my broodyness

I as very broody after my second child, but it has completely gone and I'm so happy to be done now. I found another thing to get really excited about, a new career, which helped, and we got a pet!

Borrow my baby. That’ll put you right off. 6 months in and the screaming is still off the chart 😭 This is number two and there is no way on this planet we would put ourselves through this again.

Get a cat.

It worked for me with the worst broodiness ever - that lasted for about 3 years. Nothing was making the broodiness go, after DS2.

I knew I couldn't have another one. I couldn't cope, especially having first child with SN. But my heart wouldn't stop nagging all the time.

The minute we got our cat (which was a present for the kids) the broodiness stopped and it's never come back. I'm so glad I didn't have a DC3 now. So relieved.

@RosesAndChocolates That sounds like it was really hard. Yes definitely depends on the baby. Mine certainly has her moments, it's not all smiles and roses but nowhere near as bad as it could've been. I'm not getting too smug though, I bet she'll be a nightmare toddler. That's good your toddler stage is good thought. You can never predict these things.

I disagree it never goes. It definitely does.

That first moment you meet them is out of this world but I genuinely don't understand why anyone would want to do the 18 months after that more than once. Even the postnatal ward experience, right at the beginning of parenting, is shite.

I sometimes feel - wistful I guess, as there are some really special memories, but DS killed my broodiness stone dead. And he was an easy one.

My third child well and truly cured my broodyness! 🤣🤣
I love them all to bits but no way would I want to do it again.

I have 3 kids, they are all great but when the youngest got about 11 and off to secondary school I suddenly knew I wanted another. I kept it to myself for a while as I knew it sounded mad. I thought it would go away. It didn't. It got stronger. I was pre menopausal by this time. I told DH and we decided to foster. My foster son has lived with us for almost 9 years now. He has brought us a lot of joy.

Winterwoollies I really don't get the "it's selfish NOT to procreate" argument. Having kids IS selfish and having more kids is even more selfish, particularly when it's at the detriment of the ones you already have.

I've not felt broody until now (I entered in to marriage knowing we would have at least one child, preferably 2). It's a very strange sensation.

DC1 was a dreadful birth - PTSD, PND and birth injury. He didn't sleep at all, unless held, I'd get 20-30 minutes sleep at a time, never totalling more than 4 hours in a 24hour period for 8 months, I got alopecia, anemia, and generally extremely physically unwell. It almost broke our marriage. I really didn't enjoy it all, he's wonderful now though. DC2 was a dream, slept through from 8 weeks, would be put down, put herself to sleep, so, so easy. I really enjoyed her. The birth was so much better (emergency c section) with a quick and easy recovery. I think if DC1s birth had been easier and I'd have enjoyed him more as a baby, I would have felt DC2 completed us.

It took a couple of years to fade for me. Just wait it out.

I often find myself feeling the same op. I've got two, wouldn't be very sensible to have another, don't particularly want sleepless nights, nappies, toilet training, but I do love dc once they get a bit older.

Wouldn't be right now though, have left it too long, have to enjoy the lovely ones I already have.

I have 3 and would have another in a heartbeat.

I can't, I'm almost 42,sterilised 8 years ago and have other health issues now, yet my BIL announced his GF pregnancy on Saturday and I sobbed with jealousy.

I don't think it will ever go.