Home > Advice > Baby > Life > What’s the Best Age to Become a Parent? Post author By The Mum Club Post date 17 August 2023 What’s the Best Age to Become a Parent? The Mum Club17 August 2023 If there’s a perfect time to have a baby, we’re still waiting for the memo. However, the most popular age bracket to get knocked up is now 30-34, with the average first-time mum being 30 years old. And if you’re over 40, the conception rate is at a record high! So could later really be better? Your Late Teens/ Twenties The Pros Just Call Us Fertile Myrtle Since fertility declines with age, you have a higher chance of conceiving naturally the younger you are (bar any pre-existing issues). An estimated 25 percent of women between 19 and 25 get pregnant within the first month of trying. You’ll Have the Gift of Time With any luck, you’ll enjoy your kids (and their kids) for decades to come. The Cons The Financial Hit is Harder At this age, you’re probably still finding your financial feet. Prams and nappies don’t come cheap, so if you’re dealing with student debt or working to get on the property ladder, it might not be ideal timing. You Haven’t Found Your Village Yet A solid support system is hugely important when bringing up a family. Chances are your mates are still making inappropriate life choices and partying 24/7. Which means they might not be that empathetic with your struggles. *They might be up at 3am, though! Your Mid-to-Late Twenties The Pros You’ve Still Got the Energy It wasn’t that long ago that you were stumbling out of the club at 5am and pulling all-nighters to finish your dissertation. Night feeds might not feel so bad. You’ve Got Time for a Second Wind When the Kids Leave Home An empty nest by your late forties, and you’re free to live your best life. Ibiza, here you come! The Cons Your Career is Just About to Take Off Just as you find your dream job, you’re about to step away for a year of mat leave. It shouldn’t matter, but (let’s face it) it sometimes it does. Thirties The Pros You Know Who You Are You’ve survived the crippling insecurity years and finally feel happy in your skin. You’ve got this. The Party Feels Tired You’ve travelled and tried every sharing cocktail out there. And you’re a little over drinking out of inanimate objects (for a bit, anyway). The Cons It Could Be Harder To Conceive Mother Nature is glorious, but she can also be a bit of a bitch. While your career and confidence are in full bloom, your fertility takes a hit. Forty+ The Pros You’ll Have High Achieving Kids A recent study in the US suggested offspring of ‘advantaged maternal age mothers’ had better educational outcomes, including higher test scores and better graduation rates. You’ll Have More Patience (hopefully!) With life experience comes an understanding that sometimes things are outside of your control. If anyone can sit back and ride out the tantrums, it’s you. The Cons Pregnancy and Birth Can be Riskier Women over the age of 35 are typically at a higher risk of health issues. There’s no single right time to have a baby that works for everyone. Whenever you decide to try for children is entirely up to you and it’ll all work out in the mix. Tags 3minuteread, best age to become a parent, coffeebreakcatchup The Mum Club17 August 2023 ← Can’t Mum Without – Charlotte Stirling-Reed → TMC’s Guide to… Cambridge