How old is too old for baby #3?

[OohIdreameditagain]

How old is too old for ttc baby #3?

Id love another child, but can’t realistically ttc for another 6/7 months due my company Mat
policy but I’m a bit concerned about leaving it too late.

how old is too old for number 3?

I don’t think there’s any ceiling on it. As old as you feel comfortable / happy enough to have another child..

Personally, I’m 39, have two kids under 3.5. I would have liked 3, but 2 have knackered me - I feel too “old” and too tired to go through it again.

plus other factors that made us settle at 2, cost etc. but for my own mental health and wanting to get “my” life back close to 40 - that was my thought process.

lots of people don’t feel that way at 40 however so it’s really a personal decision

I had my third when I was 31 and am currently expecting number 4 😍

Had my third at 42 - now 10 years on and I am feeling exhausted and much older than my age…

35 is my personal cut off but I’d say 43-45 ish is fine if you think you have the energy!

I wouldn’t have a newborn/ toddler past the age of 40 if I already had children- but no judgement on those that do

I'd say after 35 or older. Sod having to deal with the teenage years in my 40s/50s!

I'm 32, only have one and would rather eyeball battery acid than have another. One of my closest pals is 43 and expecting #5 and is an absolutely cracking mum. It's very much personal preference!

My personal cut off would be 35

For me it totally depends on circumstances. E.g.:

If you're financially secure/can afford to outsource cleaning etc
If you have any family support
If you're fit and active
How demanding the other children are
How supportive your partner is

Etc

How old are you, OP?

I'm 36 and I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant with number 3. Part of me feels I must be mad.

I'm 36 and I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant with number 3. Part of me feels I must be mad.

I had my third at 39. My personal cut off was 40. He's nearly 2 now and he's been an easy baby (great sleeper from day one!) so that made a huge difference to my energy levels

My cut off would be 40

How long is piece of string?
Some mums are 15, some mums are 50.

I just think babies are born when they’re born.
Some just happen, others it’s time, money & tears.

Depends on finances, health etc.

I was 37 when DC3 was born

For me personally 40 is my cut off. I have three already and am 38. If I don't feel ready for number 4 before my 40th birthday then I'm going to leave it.
At the moment I have a 1,3 and 7 year old and I'm exhausted, I have nothing left for another.

Surely everyone has a different cut off. Personally mine is 35, but there’s lots of women who have babies in their 40s.

I'm currently pregnant with Nr 3. Baby is due in December and I'll be 37 in February.

Personally for me it would age been 26. Once I went past that age I decided not to go for another. Nothing to do with age, but more to do with the age gap between children. I started young and so I wanted to finish young.

a lot depends on how old you are and how old your current children are.

Have been!

I’ve just had DC2 at 31 and if we decide to have a third my personal cut off is 35

Mumsnet seems to be obsessed by what age to have children. There's obviously no answer as it depends on the specifics of the couple in question

You aren't going to decide based on answers from strangers are you?