If you’re thinking about placing your baby up for adoption, we know that you’ve got a lot of questions. For example, you might be asking yourself:

How do I know if adoption is right for me?

Is it ever too late to choose adoption?

When can I give my baby up for adoption?

While we’d like to answer all of those questions at once, in this article we’re going to focus on just one of them: When can you give a baby up for adoption?”

The answer to this question depends on your unique situation and where you are in your decision-making process. The adoption process begins and ends with you, and as such, you are the only one who can, and should, make this life-changing decision. When “giving a baby up” for adoption, always remember that you are the one who is giving them the gift of a beautiful future. Regardless of when you make this decision, you are never “giving up” or “giving away” your baby.

To help make your decision a little easier, we’d like to go over what it’s like to place a baby up for adoption during different stages of your pregnancy and after the birth. We hope you find what you’re looking for below.

If you have any questions about when the right time is to “give babies up” for adoption while reading this article, we’re happy to help. Please fill out our free information form to be connected to an adoption professional that can walk you through the process.

When Can You Give a Child Up for Adoption Early in the Pregnancy?

Many women know right away that adoption is the best and only option after finding out they’re unexpectedly pregnant. They may ask, “How early can I give up for adoption?” The answer to that is as early as you’re ready to. If you already know that adoption is the right decision for you, an adoption professional can walk you through the entire early adoption process.

While it’s never too late to choose adoption for your baby, the nice thing about making an adoption plan so early on is that you’ll have less to worry about by the time the baby arrives. For example, you’ll have more time to:

• Find and get to know the perfect adoptive family
• Think about what you want your adoption to look like
• Plan out your hospital stay
• Decide on the amount of contact you’re comfortable with
• Receive financial assistance throughout your pregnancy
• Get to know your adoption professional

These factors can make choosing adoption early on worth it. But don’t forget, you’re not in a rush. Don’t hesitate to take as much time as you need to determine which unplanned pregnancy option is right for you. When you’re asking, “How early can give my baby up for adoption?” the answer is, only as early as you’re ready.

When Can You Give a Baby Up for Adoption Late in Your Pregnancy?

On the other hand, not every woman wants to or is ready to choose adoption immediately after finding out about her pregnancy. After all, this is a huge, life-changing decision. It’s normal to want to spend some time thinking about whether this is really the right option for you when “giving a baby up” for adoption.

If you’re a woman who’s spent months of deliberation thinking about this unplanned pregnancy, we want to reassure you that it’s not too late to make an adoption plan, no matter which stage you’re at in your pregnancy. As soon as you feel ready, you can contact an adoption professional to learn more about the adoption process.

When Can You Give a Baby Up for Adoption at the “Last Minute?”

Whether it’s a few days before your due date, or you’re already at the hospital, you’re probably worried about putting a baby up for adoption at the “last minute.” But you don’t have anything to fear. Adoption professionals have plenty of experience with last-minute and hospital adoptions, and they’re more than capable of helping you start the process.

In addition, choosing adoption at the last minute is very similar to any other adoption — although the process will probably be slightly sped up. You’ll still be able to choose the perfect adoptive family and determine how much contact you’re open to before and after the adoption while giving “your baby up” for adoption. When you decide to do so is entirely up to you, so you can reach out to an adoption professional as soon as you feel comfortable.

When Can You Put a Baby Up for Adoption at the Hospital?

If you’re already at the hospital, you might be wondering if it’s possible to put a baby up for adoption after they’re born. And, of course, the answer is yes. If you have just given birth and decide you want to place your baby with an adoptive family before you are discharged, this is totally possible. Same-day adoptions are more common than you might think. Even if you’re at the hospital, you’ll still have plenty of time to make an adoption plan with a professional, find and get to know the adoptive family, decide how much contact you’re open to before and after the adoption, and more.

When Can I Start Putting My Baby Up for Adoption after They’re Born?

It’s not uncommon to have parenting doubts after bringing your baby home. But, while these feelings are often fleeting for many women, it’s not uncommon for others to think about placing their baby up for adoption.

If you’re in this familiar situation, we promise you’re not alone. Many new parents have been in your shoes, and feelings of not wanting your baby anymore are more common than you might think. You’re not a “bad mother” when “giving a baby up” for adoption, and there’s nothing wrong with looking for help.

If you’re thinking about making an adoption plan after your baby is born, the first step, as always, is to reach out to an adoption professional. They can help you determine if adoption is really what you’re looking for or if there are other resources that might make parenting a possibility. If you do decide to move forward with adoption, they’ll walk you through the entire process from start to finish.

When Can I Put My Baby Up for Adoption When They’re an Older Child?

If your child is already an infant, toddler, or an older child, you’re probably worried if adoption is still an option for you. The answer to that question is still yes — but depending on your child’s age, this could be a factor in deciding when to “give a baby up” for adoption.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s never too late to put a baby up for adoption when they’re a few weeks or a few months old. In fact, this is within the age range most adoption agencies work with. But as your child gets older, you might start to run into some difficulties when it comes to placing them for adoption. This is because most agencies and adoptive families just aren’t equipped and don’t have the resources for children who are much older than a toddler. In addition, the adoption process can be hard on you and your child emotionally.

Depending on how old they are, you might want to look at a guide that has everything you’re looking for when it comes to placing a baby for adoption by age. And as always, don’t forget that you can reach out to an adoption professional for advice and information about this process when “giving a baby up” for adoption.

How Will I Know When it’s to Time Start Considering Adoption?

If you’re like most women facing an unplanned pregnancy, you’ll probably spend some time thinking of all your unpanned pregnancy options — not just adoption.  But when you know, you know. If adoption seems like the best option for you, don’t forget that you can always reach out to a professional to get more information about all of your options to help make your decision.