As someone who suffered through years of fertility treatments to have a baby this article makes me sad. A child isnt a fashion accessory you can just buy. 

Well written and thank you Jessie and mamamia for posting this. When did we forget the golden rule of treating others the way we want to be treated? It’s not possible for humans to be perfect so I don’t know why we expect this from people all of a sudden. 

@mamamia-user-482898552 The idea that we can just let in as many people to Australia as we want is utopian. And in any case,  your argument is flawed because someone needs to be having babies for it to work. So the idea that us wealthy Australians can kick back and not have kids and spend our money on massages and holidays while we let other, poorer nations breed and fill our jobs is kind of gross to me. What a privileged view. 

@simple simon Again, this is a very utopian view. It's not realistic under our current policies. And they don't look to be changing any time soon.

I'm glad she's happy - not everyone is meant to be a parent. But I dont like this obsession with 'me, me, me' all of the time. Having children is actually necessary to keep society functioning. Declining birth rates in the west are a looming problem for our ageing society. Who will care for this lady when she's older and sick in hospital/in a home/whatever. Someone else's kids, that's who. And all of a sudden you'll be very glad that other people around you made the choice to have kids. We need to stop making everything about the here and now and think longer term, plus with a community mindset. Having a child does start off as a selfish thing, but ironically it ends up becoming one of the most selfless things you can do. 

I love this. Well done mumma! I will never understand why our society thinks it’s ok to just delete those that are different. It’s sick. What a gorgeous little family you have - they are so lucky to have such a determined mother!! 

Good on you for normalising formula feeding! I was able to breastfeed both of my bubs, but I have many close friends who were not, for various reasons. I hated seeing the anguish and shame they felt. No mum should have to feel that. They are incredible mothers and formula feeding their babies was not a failing on their part - breastfeeding just wasnt the right thing for them. No one failed! Their babies are fed, loved and happy - I view that as winning on all fronts!

That sounds like a trip! I hope it improves for you. I was one of those lucky people that didnt have any symptoms... I didnt know I was pregnant until 21 weeks! I only realised because my tummy randomly popped. 

For me, the best thing about becoming a parent (other than the love you mentioned) was the growth. It’s very easy to be selfish and live your life thinking about you. I find it so challenging, transformative and really important to remember that there is more than just me in the world. Becoming a mum has made me more patient, kinder and reminds me that life isn’t all about me. Community and others needs are important too. 

I think there's some useful stuff in here about dark rooms etc. but I also think it's important to remember that all babies are so different and not all will conform to  schedule, so it's ok for mums if the sleep tips don't work too.

I get it - the lifestyle of a couple without kids is hard to give up. I’m 33 and have a one year old. Before her I was like you - travelling a lot, dinner out most nights, social engagements very weekend, throwing everything into my career.

But since having my daughter my feeling now is that you’re never going to be truly ready for this life, even if you expect to be. Nothing can fully prepare you for motherhood! If you want kids, you just have to do it, while you’re fertile, and then adjust.

Being a mum is a complete 180 on your lifestyle - I now have to work fewer hours, I never travel, rarely go out at night, weekends are spent at the park and I’m in bed by 8pm most nights and up by 5.30am when my daughter gets up. Nothing can compare you for how hard it is.

But it’s also the most rewarding and incredible thing you’ll ever do. My thinking was that I have my whole life to travel and have fun. I only have a short window to be a mum and I didn’t want to miss it! I did need IVF due to PCOS and it took me almost three years to have a baby, so so at least get your egg count checked if you decide to wait. It won’t tell you about other fertility problems or egg quality (which was my issue - plenty of eggs, just not many good ones), but it can tell you about pcos (from a high AMH reading) or low egg count! Good luck