Every child is wonderful, but there are a few reasons why those born this month have an advantage. September babies are special – and here’s why.
1They tend to do better at school
A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found September-born kids were more likely to succeed at school. It’s got nothing to do with biology or the natural characteristics of autumn (fall) though.
A child born in September will be one of the oldest kids in their year, thanks to the structure of the regular school calendar. This gives them a developmental advantage over their younger classmates.
2They’ll probably be good at sports, too
Along with doing well at school, being born at this time of year can mean success on the playing field. A study has shown that children born in September in the northern hemisphere tend to have more bone and muscle mass. One school of thought is that babies born in the autumn (fall) receive higher levels of intra-uterine vitamin D, thanks to the late summer sunshine.
“They start off with more muscle, become active early, then get involved, in athletics sooner. It becomes a positive cycle,” says Dr Gavin Sandercock, one of those involved in the study.
3They have the most popular birth month
According to Reader’s Digest, nine of the top ten birth days in America fall between September 9-20. Of course, if you count back nine months – or forward three – we get to December. It looks like the festive season has a lot to answer for…
4They’re likely to weigh less
Records have shown that September babies often weigh less. Don’t bank on it though – having a baby in this month is no guarantee of low birthweight. The good news is that autumn (fall) babies don’t tend to be dangerously small, either.
5They’re less prone to depression
Studies have shown September babies are less likely to be depressed or develop bipolar disorder. Again, increased levels of pre-natal vitamin D are believed to be a factor, although this hasn’t been proved conclusively. On the downside, those born at this time of year can also be more irritable than people born in other months.
6They’re less likely to get into trouble
The same study that found September babies tend to do well at school also reported they were less likely to fall foul of the law. This is linked to academic success – older students are more likely to go to college, reducing the chances of them committing criminal acts.
7On average, they are taller
Again, this is thought to be due to the levels of vitamin D their mothers enjoyed before the birth. It’s been recorded that children born around September tend to be slightly taller on average than those with winter or spring birthdays.
8They’re more likely to live to be 100
After interviewing around 1,500 people aged 100 years or older, researchers from the University of Chicago concluded that most of them were born in the autumn (fall). It’s thought this longevity could be partly due to a stronger immune system built by exposure to seasonal infections such as colds and flu at a young age.
9Some famous faces…
Celebrities born in September include the legendary Sophia Loren, as well as actress Gwyneth Paltrow and comedian Jimmy Fallon. Hey, if those September babies can make it, why not yours?
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