How old were you when you had your first baby?

[PollyEster]

I was 21, thought I knew it all & was more than a bit shocked to find I knew nothing! Had great fun growing up with my dd though. I then had my ds at 28 (much more sensible!) & dd2 at 29. DD1 had her first at 22 & is a FAB mum so I must have done something right...

30

21

Cheekysealion, how did you cope? Did you have experience of babies? I hadn't even held one, never mind bathed, changed, put to sleep & everything else. I got my (useless) information from the books that were around at that time. You know, the ones that said 'you can't call contractions pain, more sensations - fgs!! I think I was in shock for at least 6 months after dd1's birth - no wonder I found it hard to manage!

24

Polly the bewilderment you describe is the same whatever your age if you haven't had experince of babies. It took me a good 12 months to get my head around being a mother

19

38. I still knew nothing!

29

19, 2nd at 24, 3rd at 28. Was a very different mum at 19, much stricter and into rules.

17, and Granny at 36

dd1 at 25 and dd2 was conceived on my 27th birthday!!

My mum had brother at 21 and me at 23

Memoo, yes you're right of course & confidence does grow - it didn't help that I was a single mum first time round. With next 2 dcs I was a bit more able & having the support of dh made a huge difference - & keeping a sense of humour was essential. How we laughed when we had no sleep night after night

Thanks Mintyy - that makes me feel better!

Clueless - I found that too, I was more strict first time round, I suppose you relax more & realise what's normal behaviour etc. (2nd & 3rd kids are spoilt brats though! )

first 22, just
second 27
third 29

still dont feel like an adult tbh

I had my mum to help me with the first (we lived with her for the first three months)
but second was scary and third I felt I just about had my head round it

working on dh for a fourth

21

Good luck Trinity - I would have loved a fourth, but a)had an early menopause, b)couldn't afford it, c)They wouldn't have all fitted in the house/car

21

I had DD at 29, DC2 is due any day - if he holds off until after midnight (which I'm pretty sure he will!) I'll be 31.

21 - (just! by 3 days) knew nothing, was in the most awful relationship and had zero support
29, and will be 34 when dc3 comes along

Went into labour at 22, he was born when I was 23

32 but I knew nothing. had 2nd dc at 36 (just, days between birthdays) and I feel that if he doesn't hav echildren til he's 36 I'll be too old to see them grwo up. makes me a bit sad.

I hope my children have children earlier, but I know you can't hope to control these things!

27, and am waiting for the arrival of dc2 at 31

24

I was 35 and still experienced shock which is only now subsiding. I think it was the right age for me - just would not have been ready before.

It is a bit worrying that I have a short time to have a second but I have always been a bit of a late bloomer.

1st - 26
2nd - 29 (Much more relaxed this time around)

1st - 29
2nd - 33