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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Best age to have a baby?

46 replies

Bluesprinkles12 · 18/12/2023 23:22

I’m currently 24, in a 6 year long relationship with a good job. We’re unmarried and planning on buying a house next year and I’m currently considering what’s the best age for a child would be.
Definitely not something I’m considering in the next year or so but would be great to hear about your experiences and what you consider an ‘ideal’ age to have a baby.

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 18/12/2023 23:23

Well, I had mine at 37 and 41 so that was ideal for me!

Moveoverdarlin · 18/12/2023 23:26

If I had to pick a perfect age, I would say 32 (with a view to having a second at 34.)

But I think I would start trying a year before, so maybe 31.

I had mine at 35 and 38. That’s fine but if I had to choose, I’d like to have been a bit younger.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 18/12/2023 23:29

I got pregnant with my first at 32 (had her at 33). I felt this gave me plenty of time to enjoy the things that are harder to do with children but still gave me time to have another in my mid 30s. I didn't meet my husband until I was 26 though so might think differently if we had met when we were younger x

EezyOozy · 18/12/2023 23:31

32 and 33 for my two. Had tonnes of time to explore different types work and travel before I had them. Glad I didn’t leave it any later as my husband and I are so tired all the time !

WinterNamechange · 18/12/2023 23:33

I would say either early twenties or very late 30s. One option you have your children young then get to travel or fulfil whatever ambitions you have when you are still relatively young in your 40s, or the second option, you’ve had a whole 20 or so years as an adult to fulfil your dreams before settling down to family life :)

MummyJ36 · 18/12/2023 23:35

I had mine at 31 and 36. To be honest there is no ideal age. I felt at a really good stage in life when I hit 30 and having DC1 was still a total shock to the system! I would say I’m glad I didn’t wait too late otherwise I know in myself I would have found it an even bigger shock to suddenly have a baby and for the life as I knew it to be disrupted! However I have friends in their early 40s who have had kids and loved and appreciated every second of it. There is no right or wrong. But I also think there’s something to be said for a getting a few selfish things out of your system (my and DH travelled a lot before DC1) and I’m so glad I did because having children does change your priorities immensely.

DramaAlpaca · 18/12/2023 23:36

I had my three between 29 and 33 and that was perfect for me.

Mmmmpavlova · 18/12/2023 23:37

I met my husband in my late teens and we had our first baby in our mid 30s. Thoroughly enjoyed all the years in between!

Namechangedworriedmama · 18/12/2023 23:38

Had my first a week shy of my 25th. I think I would have been better equipped if I had waited a couple years l, but that's just me

FreshWinterMorning · 18/12/2023 23:40

I would say 28 to 33 is perfect. JMO.

I could never imagine having babies before 28-29, but also, not after 35. I know it's a fairly small-ish window, but that is my opinion.

WhycantIkeepthisbloodyplantalive · 18/12/2023 23:41

Perfect age for me was 29.

RubyWinehouse · 18/12/2023 23:41

I just had the one baby, he was conceived 6 months after I got married at 29. I enjoyed my youth and partied a lot before. I was so ready to be a mum as soon as I was married.

pinkzxmas · 18/12/2023 23:43

I had my first at 21 and my second at 31

With my first I felt like I was growing up with her; she was my little best friend

With my second I feel like I am her parent rather than her friend; and I'm more confident in my decisions / boundaries

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 18/12/2023 23:44

When your friends do of possible - it's so fun having babies the same age!

Outliers · 18/12/2023 23:45

Had my first at 28.5, and currently pregnant with 2nd at 30. My DH is 3 years older.

Wedding was delayed by COVID so good chance it would've happened at 27, in another world.

I personally think the best age is 25 - assuming you're in a secure/stable relationship, financial stable and ideally have a network of support.

Naturally I think I'm a better mother at 30 than I would've been at 25, but i just feel the earlier the better tbh, that's just my view. Older I get the more I wish I had the resources to start earlier. Of course, having a child later meant I had more resources, was more secure financially and secure in relationships (though a baby will test it).

DH and I agree no more kids once he's 40 and I'm 37.

SlB09 · 18/12/2023 23:47

As someone who struggled to concieve and then husband had cancer mid 30's my advice to anyone would be if you know you definitely want children then don't wait too long as you never know what's round the corner! Your still very young and personally that would have been too young for me, approaching 30's I think is perfect but there is no right or wrong. But at least if there are problems you have lots of options. Had my first and only at 34, husband had cancer (is fine now) so we were advised to wait 2 years after all clear Incase of reoccurrence and definately one year post chemo and I'm now 40 with shrivelling eggs and would have loved a bigger family.

I know our circumstances are not the norm but I so wish I'd realized all the things that can happen and had children earlier x

LdnReno · 18/12/2023 23:48

I'd say between 30-32 for your 1st baby. Especially if you want 2 or 3 kids with a few yrs between each.
I had mine 35 & 37. Would have liked to be a bit younger. Our parents/grandparents are also that bit older and struggle to help out much.

Scarletttulips · 18/12/2023 23:50

I think it comes down to financial security and with the cost of living it’s going to get harder in the next few years.

See how you do with a mortgage and go from there - it also depends on how many.

I had mine at 33 and 35 - however I wish I could have met them sooner!!

Vikki7 · 19/12/2023 00:03

My 1st at 32, 2nd at 35 and due my 3rd any day now at 39.

I found this pregnancy tough on my body especially whilst running after my 2 younger ones.

I wished I had had my children younger but I hadn't met my OH until later on.

I did some wonderful things before I settled down - I'd rather had settled down sooner and skipped the travelling/career stuff though!

blackfluffycat · 19/12/2023 00:15

26 and 28

thaegumathteth · 19/12/2023 00:16

I was 24 with my first , was perfect for us as we had our house with garden, I'd graduated and dh had a steady job. I had started in my career but knew I wanted to be a sahm when kids were small.

There's no right age though.

YetiSeven · 19/12/2023 09:33

I was 26, planning on second soon which would put me around 28 ish. I had a stable and very well paid job as did my husband and we had purchased our family home. I have loved every second of it! My own personal view is it hasn't stopped me doing anything I have wanted, a baby doesn't ask to be born your bring it into your life and they are incredibly adaptable little things. The way I see it we just have a 3rd little adventurer to come with us 🥰 but I was not a big drinker / going out person anyways , not is my husband and do not feel like I am missing out at all, I much preferred my nights in and now have a little best friend to cuddle. It really does depend on what your life style is like at the moment on how big an impact it will make.

Daisies12 · 19/12/2023 09:34

There's pros and cons to all ages. It's what's right for you! Obviously younger it's more likely to happen and you'll likely have more energy. But older perhaps more financial security? if you wait for an ideal time it'll never happen, in my opinion!

MilkChocolateCookie · 19/12/2023 09:36

I was 31, that was perfect for me. Old enough to have lots of time to be career focused and do fun stuff in my 20s, young enough to be unlikely to have fertility issues.

Pyjamapyjama35 · 19/12/2023 09:38

I had mine at 30 and 34 but a long journey and two IVF babies. We started trying at 25 so I’m glad I started trying when I did!

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