To think having a baby in September is maybe the worst time?

[worldso]

I’m a September birthday but neither of my children are.

But I was thinking … heavily pregnant in a hot summer and an extra years childcare to pay for.

I know September births have an academic advantage but on balance I think my least preferred month!

You’re wrong. I’m a September birthday and so was my ds (born in the Middle East so around 45degrees) and it’s the best… still lovely weather usually and the advantage of being the oldest in the year can’t be overlooked. Also Librans are always beautiful 😂

December babies are worse..😭

I’m Virgo, and definitely not beautiful!

I found the opposite with December birthdays. Everyone is up for a party and spending on going out etc. Never had a problem with dc December birthday. Summer holiday birthdays are rubbish as everyone is away and January is miserable, everybody skint and not partying etc

I gave birth in the August 2022 heatwave, labour ward was hotter than satan’s arsehole! Much preferred my son’s December birth

I'm torn 😂I am a September baby and I love it, loved being the oldest in the year and September is a great month for a birthday - weather usually decent, starts off the best quarter of the year for me (autumn, Halloween, christmas).

However, I also had a September baby myself and yes, it was tough being pregnant through heatwaves for sure. My baby was born in 2022 where we had a few 40 degree days too 😥 And of course, the extra year of childcare is an added expense, but I'm also glad she will (hopefully) be a little more ready and comfortable starting school than if she's been a little younger.

So tbh I do think the advantages through the rest of life outweigh that extra expense and difficult summer pregnancy.

@clinellwipe
Yes, I think you're right that it's the busiest month, nine months from Christmas and New Years.

My DCs were born in late spring/ early summer. The weather was nice so I could get out and walk initially, and by the time summer proper arrived, the babies were all able to hold their heads up and be carried around in the Baby Bjorn, and had settled into a nap schedule of sorts.

I hadn't considered the hectic present-and-cake-a-palooza my timing would cause for five birthdays in the space of four weeks, but heyho. The DC with the last birthday always ended up with an 'ice cream cake' made by me because by the time their birthday rolled around I was always fed up of baking, and providing cupcakes for school birthday celebrations too.

Agree with this. December everyone is up for fun, January is hands-down the worst month for a birthday (sadly, both my sister and mum have these!). Everyone skint, sick of food and drink, dieting, and the presents are rubbish because shops are full of sale tat and everyone's used up their ideas for you on Christmas already.

I'm currently pregnant, due 1st October but I have to have a C-section so will end up being September. It's been 36°C where I am and I am miserable but I hate the heat even without being pregnant. I'm 27 weeks so not massive yet - being 37 or 38 weeks in this heatwave would be infinitely worse (and wouldn't actually be a September due date). It's supposed to cool down next week and so far looks like July will be mid-20s so we'll see what happens for the rest of the summer/my pregnancy. I don't live in the UK and here schools go back in mid-August so the cut off is end of July instead of end of August.

My three year old was born in December so she'll have extra time at nursery as well, although not quite as long. And for her it means planning her birthday around Christmas celebrations, no parties in the park so we either have to hire a room or have people in our home, last year one of her friends couldn't come to her birthday party because they had already gone away (her nursery is very international and lots of people travel to their home countries for Christmas), a whole year in between celebrations so summer toys have to be extras instead of birthday gifts.

A friend of mine had a September baby and was gutted when she realised she had an extra year of childcare to pay for! I think there are worse times of year though.

A girl in DS class never has anyone turn up to her birthday as it’s in the middle of the summer holidays, and my nephew is around Christmas which he hates as he waits all year for a party and presents. A lot of my friends and relatives have January birthdays and it seems utterly miserable as no-one ever wants to do anything, or even remembers.

@JumpingJackBlue Ask your DC when they are older. My 86 DFIL and I share a birthday and really aren't big fans.
My cousin is on Boxing Day which is a whole other level of rubbishness.

Yes, exactly the same. I was very glad that mine had an extra year before school, he needed it.

September babies were referred to as the ‘Christmas rush’ where I gave birth 😂

End of January was good. Got to finish work at about 36 weeks because of Christmas. Stayed indoors for most of the fourth trimester then ventured out as Spring was in the air. Baby’s first solid foods were in high summer - avocado, mango. He was 11 months for his first Christmas so enjoyed it somewhat.

DS was born on 25th December. Actually we managed the timing if the birthday. However, breastfeeding and having broken nights in the middle of the bleak mid winter was dreadful. I felt I barely saw daylight. And all the wrapping up if we went out.

DD was born in late May. In comparison, the feeding and broken nights were so much easier when day broke at 4am and closed at 10pm. And I could take her out in a vest!

Is the English system different? My son’s birthday is the 20th September and he’ll start school in August 2026 when he’s 4, turning 5.

I liked being heavily pregnant over summer, as it meant I could wear fewer clothes and they were all floaty and comfortable. Lots of sitting in the garden and soaking my feet in a paddling pool. I’m a sweaty mess in summer pregnant or not, so that bit didn’t phase me. I can’t imagine having to squeeze into winter clothes and coats when that pregnant. Or risking falling over on the ice etc.

I also liked having a three month old at Christmas, so many cute outfits and activities we did together. And I liked baby being old enough to be fun by the time the next summer rolled around, and not being terrified of a tiny baby overheating in a heatwave.

I’m a former teacher and the academic benefits are clear to see even towards late primary. He’s quite clever and big for his age anyway so it won’t matter as much, but I wanted to give him that benefit in case it did. I also love having an extra year before he starts school to spend time with him.

It worked out well for me. Last holiday pre-baby in June, then relaxing over summer (usually quiet at work for me), recovering mid Sept-mid October (the most boring weeks in a year I think), then ready for first outings around Halloween followed by a couple of cosy winter months, and starting the new year with a lot of baby classes and new activities.

September is definitely the busiest month for births, it’s madness on the maternity wards then.

Not in Scotland. I'm 27 weeks now. It's hot at times but not unbearable. And our school year intake is from Feb not September so no difference.

This is an ivf baby so just delighted to be preg at anytime.

I do worry about the dark cold days/nights when baby very little though. Esp January/Feb. When germs rife indoors but hard to get outside much. But will cross that bridge when comes.

My friend is 31 August too! Born in the evening haha a few minutes later and she would have been in the following year.
She was the school swot and thrived at school despite being the youngest, and is now a very senior nurse.

I’ve really not given it much thought to be honest! But then the school system in Scotland is very different so September doesn’t really have an impact on when they start.
Although my first was born right at the start of lockdown so in my head no time was going to be worse than that!

oh but I am a January birthday and that is the WORST

With Summer born children getting the option to apply for deferral now, i think August might be slightly more preferable as you can chose the appropriate year for your child.

Best for school, your child will be a rising 5 which is the best possible age for starting school imo.

Also thinking ahead to next summer the baby will be on the point of walking so trips to the park/ beach will be fun, lots of freedom to move around in summer clothes, not all bundled up in winter stuff, easy to leave the house without layers of coats, hats, mittens and shoes!

My first is nov and my second is April. I much preferred having a newborn in the winter Esp as she was my first. Absolutely no pressure to be outside enjoying the sun, not worrying about over heating, didn’t feel self conscious in clothes cos it was all baggy jumpers and leggings. I loved it! But she is a tad too close to Xmas!