is 33 too late for a second baby?

[taylorsweet]

Hi, I have a seven years old DD from my first marriage. i am now happily married second time and my husband loves my little girl. we are thinking of trying for a baby next year sometime but i also want to study for a second degree and i will be 29 this year!
I don't know which one to do first? And my DD keeps asking when she will have a sister or brother? Another degree will be 3 years more so will i be too old at the age of 33?

Had my first at 30 second at 33, definitely didn't feel too old or unenergetic. at being brave

I thought I'd have children in my mid-late 30s, but DD1 turned up by surprise rather a lot earlier than that - I had her on my 26th birthday. When thinking about another many people thought we'd wait until the time we originally thought we'd have kids, but we didn't. Our reasoning was not anti being 'older' parents, but anti being younger AND older parents.
It's not about it being awful to still be changing nappies at 40, but when you've been changing them since your mid 20s that's a huge percentage of your life!
We're thinking of having a third, I'm 30 now and if we do it it'll be soon or never, I don't want to spend my entire life with small children to care for.
So I'd say have the baby first, then you've got a clear run at your career for the rest of your working life without interruptions.

Hownoo even by your calculations the older mum gets to see a bustling grand child so I can't tell what the argument is anymore...

Robyn I think that is pretty fair. I wouldn't want a prolonged stretch of nappy changing either but as people rely more and more on finances and childcare from their own parents, I wouldn't be surprised at nappy changing starting again after my working life... especially as the younger a granny you are, the more your kids take it for granted they can dump their kids on you the more you would want to be involved...

worthit I do sort of see what you're saying. I got pg very easily with DS and was 32 when he was born. 2 years later, 13 month after starting ttc and after a miscarriage I am finally pg.

OP 33 is not too old. It's about timing not age per se. I think you need to plan for what you want right now and not think too much about future what ifs. I would probably attempt both at the same time and put study on hold if you do get pg quickly.

DC1 at 37, pg with DC3 at 43, so NO!

I hope not. I'm having my first and I'm 37

Although DD wasn't planned quite so soon (had her at 23) I am glad I had her when I did. I had DS a few weeks before my 26th birthday, and I feel I am done.
I don't think anyone else can tell you when you are too old, for me, having babies in my 20's I would feel old having them in my 30's but that is my personal feelings on my situation.

A friend of mine had hers at 34 and 37 and watching me after having ds by cs, she said "there is a lot to be said for having babies in your 20's" because I was sat crossed legged on the floor feeding 10 day old ds. I think I would just find it harder as I got older.