The Best Age To Have A Baby

Having A Baby Later Makes You Brainier

Many experts wouldn’t actively encourage women to give birth in their late 30’s but a recent study has revealed that women who had their last baby after the age of 35 years, showed evidence of improved mental ability.

According to a study by the University of Southern California, the ‘study provides strong evidence that there is a positive association between later age at last pregnancy and late-life cognition’.

The study involved 830 post-menopausal women, and in terms of verbal memory and cognition, those who had their last baby over 35 years outperformed 24-year-old+ mums and those who and their first baby between 15-25 years of age.

Is This True?

This all has to do with the hormones estrogen (which has a beneficial impact on brain chemistry, function and structure) and progesterone (linked with growth and development of brain tissue), which get released in abundance during pregnancy. An outpouring of estrogen and progesterone, especially in later life, appears to be beneficial, said Roksana Karim, lead author of the study.

However, despite the good news for older mums, Karim adds that “we would certainly not recommend that women wait until they’re 35 to close their family”.

The Other Side Of The Story

John Mirowsky, a sociologist at the University of Texas at Austin, agrees, saying to Psychology Today that a woman is biologically at her prime to have a baby in her late teens or early twenties.

“Women in their twenties are least likely to have developed chronic health problems that would put them or their babies at risk, and they have the lowest rates of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and infertility.”

However, this age tends not to be the sociological “best age” with many twentysomethings considered too scattered and irresponsible to have a child.

Putting all the research together, Mirowsky notes that the optimum age at first birth in terms of the mother’s long-term physical well-being was 31 years old.

We don’t know if there’s really a ‘magic’ age to have a baby but for those mums who had their kids later, at least you can look forward to more brain power ahead.

What do you think is the best age to have a baby? Tell us in the comments below.

49 Comments

- - Kylie said
  - 08 Nov 2020
    9:58 am
I’m all good then! Although best time is when you’re ready for a baby.
- meedee replied
  
  06 Mar 2022 , 10:52 am
  Thats exactly what I was going to say.
  - mom486197 replied
    
    26 Jul 2024 , 9:02 am
    
    I agree with what this lady has said, it is a personal choice and you should make this decision when the time is right for you.
- - mom19782016 said
  - 21 Oct 2020
    8:33 pm
The best age is when you are ready actually

- - mom418449 said
  - 23 Sep 2020
    8:26 am
31 seems a little late to start I would’ve thought, but in today’s age it’s seeming like the norm.

- - Mumma'sLittleHelpers said
  - 17 Sep 2020
    5:35 pm
My first was at 19, 21 then 33 and last bundle just now, born one month off 36. I find I can handle my nights now, my patience is a little stronger but symptoms through pregnancy where stronger

- - mom111464 said
  - 22 Aug 2020
    10:24 am
Having a baby at any age is life-changing and a real eye-opener. I had my first at 21, second at 25 and my third at 31. I feel there are positives to any age when having a baby. but with that also some down-sides. I had a lot more energy when I was younger, but also was not financially stable. Having my youngest son at 31 has been an absolute delight and truly felt at ease when he arrived. We were financially stable, my husband was very secure in his job and could take a lot of leave after my youngest was born. But in saying that my last pregnancy was incredibly hard on my body. I had terrible morning sickness, anemia and followed with my youngest being born at 25 weeks and 5 days. It was very stressful having a baby in NICU and I don’t think I would have coped particularly well if that had occured when i was in my 20’s.

- - celebrity said
  - 16 Aug 2020
    10:31 am
I had my first child at 15 and my last at 31. Having a child later I believe is much more beneficial to mother and child. One has more patience, wisdom and life experience however in saying that it is up to the individual.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 11 Aug 2020
    1:46 pm
It is so difficult!

- - mom465871 said
  - 10 Aug 2020
    4:24 pm
I think this is so contriversial if I had a chance I would choose to have my baby slightly earlier in my early 30s instead of mid 30s

- - rovermum said
  - 05 Aug 2020
    10:15 am
When it’s possible. I started at aged 26 and was lucky enough to finally fall pregnant when I was 30. And that was via IVF, so absolutely a miracle. So when you can have a baby, is a good time.

- - mom111059 said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    10:27 pm
circumstances differ for everyone so no age is perfect for all.

- - tessie said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    3:31 pm
I think it’s best to have your baby when you feel ready. I hate it when you’re expected to have your baby when everyone says you should. You know if you are ready both physically, mentally and psychologically. Just do what your body feels is right for you. There should be no pressure on you

- - Forgetful Mumma said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    1:17 pm
I just had my “last” last baby at 35… does that mean I miss out on the extra brain power? I’ve become a lot smarter after my last (now middle) baby at age 31!

- - shanika said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    9:32 am
I had my first baby when i was 28 years old.

- - Supercoolmum said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    9:13 am
Wow! I’m absolutely shocked. Everyone always says it’s better to be pregnant at an early age.

- - Ellen said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    7:49 am
Lol, I had my first baby at 40 !

- - SPerry37 said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    7:00 am
I actually agree with this I had my last child at 39 and I feel this fits with me

- - Mummyofone77 said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    5:50 am
So good to hear, we are trying and I’m in my 30s

- - Farheen said
  - 04 Aug 2020
    2:25 am
So glad to read this as I was 31 when I gave birth to my only child.

- - bankstownbrats said
  - 03 Aug 2020
    11:10 pm
Well ive been at all stages as i had my first baby at 17 , 21 , 23 , 30 and 41 and at 17 i was definitely not ready as i was still selfish and wanted to go out n party i have always said i wish i had my kids in my 30s as i was better mum at that age n im now nearly 44 with a 2 yr old toddler n he wears me out but honestly i would have another one tomorrow if my body could handle it .

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 03 Aug 2020
    9:57 pm
I had my last baby later, but cognitively I feel 100 already – due to the years of sleep deprivation that comes with children.