Interesting Facts About Kids with October Birthdays

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 29, 2023

Studies show that babies with October birthdays have strong minds and bodies

If your kiddo has an October birthday, they’re in great company. It should come as no surprise that people ranging from U.S. presidents to award-winning actors also have October birthdays because when it comes to sports and politics, health, and longevity, October babies seem to take first place no matter what they do. Wondering how you’ll celebrate your little pumpkin? Be inspired by 2023’s most popular birthday themes, party favors the kids will actually use, and unique birthday desserts you need to try.

They’re Presidential

More U.S. Presidents are born in October than any other month of the year. Maybe someday your own POTUS will take their seat in the Oval Office like their fellow October babies Presidents Adams, Eisenhower, Carter, and Theodore Roosevelt.

They’re Award Winners

Politicians aren’t the only famous faces who are born in the season of pumpkin spice and everything nice. With several award-winning actors, like Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, and Julie Andrews born in October, you might want to start planning that acceptance speech for your young thespian now.

They Have Two Birthstones

The October birthstones are Opal, which is a whiteish stone that reflects rainbow colors, and Tourmaline, which is a deep pink stone.

They’re Stronger

Batter up! One study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine found that babies born in October and November performed better than those born in other months on tests of strength, stamina, and cardiovascular fitness.

They Live the Longest

While October babies have the highest risk of disease among all birth months, they don’t let that stop them from living very long lives. According to a 2011 study of over 1,500 centenarians (or people who live to be 100), babies born between September and November live the longest.

They’re Taller

If their athletic ability leads to a basketball career, October babies are in luck. A study from Bristol University found that babies born in the autumn months, including October, were, on average, slightly taller than their peers.

People Born in October Are Either Libras or Scorpios

People whose birthdays fall between Oct. 1 - Oct. 22 fall under the sign of Libra, and those born Oct. 23-Oct. 31 fall under the sign of Scorpio. Libras are known for their obsession with balance and symmetry. They tend to thrive in creative roles since they are drawn to art and intellectualism and can thrive in almost any social situation. Scorpios tend to be incredibly intuitive. They hold their cards close to their chest, and when striving towards a goal, they're most likely three steps ahead of others.

They’re Less Allergic

A 2017 study from La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health in Melbourne found that babies who were in utero for an entire grass pollen season were at lower risk of developing allergies and allergic diseases, like asthma, later in life. In the United States, grass pollen season typically runs from May to August, which means October babies get a full season in the womb.

They’re Making History

October is a month of many history-making firsts. The tenth month of the year has seen the first sale of the Ford Model T, the swearing-in of the first African American Supreme Court Justice, the start of the space age with the launch of Sputnik, and of course, the birth of your future history-maker.

Why People Born in August Are Strong-Willed (& 8 Other Interesting Facts)

by Melissa HeckscherJuly 26, 2023

End-of-summer kiddos may have these personality traits in common

Have you got an August baby in your life? A bun in the oven almost all done? You may be wondering what type of personality traits are common in August-born people. Are they curious? Will they be famous? Are they determined? Maybe all of the above! Here are some interesting facts about people born in August.

They’ll Probably Be The Youngest in Their Class

Since many schools have a Sept. 1st cutoff for kindergarten, your August baby may end up being the youngest kid in her class. This can be good or bad, depending on where your kid is at—socially, physically, and emotionally. Some kids struggle; others do just fine (and almost all end up catching up in the long run).

They’re Confident and Strong-Willed

The stars have a lot to say about August-born babies (though we always take these messages with a grain of salt). The Zodiac sign for people born in August is either Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) or Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22), with both signs being known for confidence, smarts, and a strong will. They’ll never back down from an argument, according to this online astrology site, so get ready to stand your ground, parents.

They’re (Slightly) Less Likely to Go to College

According to findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research, as noted in The Wall Street Journal, august-born kids may be at a disadvantage when it comes to college admissions. This is attributed to the fact that many schools have a Sept. 1 cutoff for kindergarten, so kids with August birthdays are the youngest in the class. The research found that August-born kids were 2.1% less likely than September children to attend college, 3.3% less likely to graduate from college, and 7.2% less likely to graduate from a selective college.

They May Be Misdiagnosed with ADHD

Studies show that kids born in August are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than those born in other months. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t necessarily mean they actually have ADHD: Research published in 2016 by the Journal of Pediatrics found that summer-born kids are often misdiagnosed with behavior problems when the real issue is simply that they’re younger and not yet ready for the rigor of the school day.

They’re (Usually) Very Happy

a happy kid, he might have been born in August because people born in August tend to be happier — *iStock*

If you think your August babe is always smiling, you may be right. Research from Vanderbilt University found that people with summer birthdays are less likely to be depressed than people born in the cooler months. It could be because of all that vitamin D exposure in the womb. Still, researchers also theorize that a newborn’s “biological clock” may be permanently stamped by the summer’s long light cycle—and that stamp brings a sunnier disposition.

They Tend to Be Bigger

According to this Cambridge University study of more than 450,000 people in the U.K., babies born in August (and June and July) have higher birth weights—and may even grow into taller adults—than babies born in other months. The size difference was attributed to the fact that women who give birth in late summer are exposed to more vitamin D during pregnancy, which is beneficial to the baby’s growth and development. Interestingly, the study also found that girls born in the summer tend to start puberty later (which is linked to lower rates of breast cancer, teen pregnancy, and HPV). Hooray for sunshine!

They May Be More Likely to Get the Flu

A new study from a pair of doctor-dads concluded that summer-born kids are more likely to get the flu, based on the fact that their annual check-ups occur in the summer before the latest flu vaccine is available.

There Are Two Birthstones for the Month of August

Here’s an interesting August birthday fact: there are two birthstones for the eighth month of the year. Peridot is a yellow-gold stone known as the gem of compassion and represents peace and harmony. Spinel can be found in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, and blue. The gem is believed to inspire relaxation in those who wear it and is associated with energy and joy.

There Are a Lot of Them!

Your baby won’t be the only summer birthday party on your social calendar. According to the CDC, August is the most common month to be born in the United States (meaning that November and December are the most common months for conception). Blame it on the holiday spirit! Or the cold.

7 Intriguing Facts about Babies Born in July

by Melissa HeckscherJune 30, 2023

Know someone born in the 7th month? They’ve got a few advantages

If you were born in July or have a little one with a July birthday, keep reading because summer babies, particularly people born in July, are good leaders, creative, and often left-handed. July babies also share a birth month with Princess Diana, Robin Williams, Jennifer Lopez, and so many more.

People born in July are either Cancer or Leo.

People born June 21-July 22 are born under the sign of Cancer. They are highly intuitive and like their celestial animal, the crab, tend to have a hard outer shell that can be hard to penetrate, so they can be slow to open up to others. People born July 22-Aug 22 are born under the sign of Leo. Full of passion and vivacity, Leos love to be in the spotlight. They are known for their ambition and bravery.

They are funny—and super-devoted to their families.

Astrologically speaking, babies born in July are known to be devoted family members, especially if they are Cancer. You know what that means, Mom and Dad? Your darling baby bundle will grow up to be a caring kid… and a loyal adult child. They’ll always be there to help you (and their siblings) out, even when they have a family of their own.

They may not see you, though.

Get your vision insurance plans in order. An Israeli study of 300,000 military applicants found that June and July babies have a higher risk of suffering from short-sightedness. According to the study, the more sunlight a newborn is exposed to, the higher the risk of myopia (short-sightedness). But it’s not all bad news. Lead researcher Michael Belkin of Tel Aviv University said there’s a simple solution to help summer-born eyes: Sunglasses (which are, by the way, totally adorable on babies).

They’re happier.

Summer baby = happy grown-up? Possibly, according to a Vanderbilt University study that suggests babies born in the summer are less likely to be depressed than their winter-born counterparts. Researchers believe the happy quotient may have to do with a newborn’s “biological clock” being permanently stamped by the summer’s light cycle. In other words: They start sunny… and stay that way!

They are good leaders.

People who are Leos are known for their strength, optimism, and refusal to accept. They often inspire others and tend to take charge in the workplace, all traits of a good leader.

The July birthstone is Ruby.

Rubies are one of the gemstones that are often read about in history. They symbolize wealth and prosperity, and passion. Medieval Europeans often wore rubies, as they were seen as a sign of prosperity. Ancient Hindus would offer rubies to the god Krishna in hopes of being reborn as an emperor.

July babies are often left-handed.

Of the 10% of left-handed people in the world, according to this study, many of them are born in July. The reason? They aren’t quite sure.

Here’s What Science Has to Say about Left-Handedness & Your Genes

by Erica LoopSeptember 5, 2019

A new study recently published in Brain, A Journal of Neurology, may have found a genetic link to left-handedness.

Not only did these researchers, from the University of Oxford, find a possible genetic link to handedness, but they may have also uncovered a connection between left-handers and increased verbal skills.

photo: mentatdgt via Pexels

The study included DNA data from 400,000 people from the UK Biobank, 38,332 of which were lefties. After analyzing brain imaging from 10,000 of the people studied, the researchers found a possible connection between genetics, handedness and language abilities.

Even though the study revealed a potential connection, Gwenaëlle Douaud, joint senior author of the study and a fellow at Oxford’s Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, told CNN, “We need to assess whether this higher coordination of the language areas between left and right side of the brain in the left-handers actually gives them an advantage at verbal ability. For this, we need to do a study that also has in-depth and detailed verbal-ability testing.”

Before you start wishing you were a leftie, the study also found some not-so-great news. The genes responsible for left-handedness are also implicated in the development of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. This possible connection doesn’t necessarily mean all lefties will develop these diseases. The researchers note that this is a correlation, and not causation at work.

Dominic Furniss, joint senior author alongside Douaud and a fellow at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, said in an interview with CNN, “It has long been known that there are slightly more left-handers amongst patients with schizophrenia than the general population. By contrast, there are slightly less left-handers with Parkinson’s disease than the general population.”

—Erica Loop

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Taking a Baby Away from Its Mom—Even for a Short Time—Can Have Lifelong Impact

by Erica LoopMay 17, 2018

You spend nine months cuddling your baby in that bump of yours. And the moment they pop out (okay, okay, we know it doesn’t really happen that easily), you’re all about staying as close to your brand-new little love as possible. Well, now science is saying that this instinct might be right on target. New research, from the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science, may have found that taking a baby away from its mother can change brain function later in life.

So let’s start with the basics here—this was an animal study. That means scientists used animals (in this case rats) to model what happens to humans. (Because tearing newborn human babies from their loving mamas’ arms just to see what happens, later on, isn’t exactly on-the-level ethical.) Instead of taking baby people away from their mothers, they removed infant rats from their mamas for 24 hours at 9-days-old.

photo: pixabay.com

The researchers scanned the rats’ brains later in life, as adults. And what did they find? As it turns out, the rats who were separated from their mothers had behavioral issues along with biological and physiological brain abnormalities. It’s possible that similar abnormalities in human brains could also develop as a result of early maternal separation.

And what does this all mean for humans? It’s possible that this type of trauma during infancy could lead to life-long problems that show up later in life, such as schizophrenia. While the researchers can’t make a complete connection between mom and child separation and this mental illness, they do feel that the potential implications for these brain changes warrant serious pause. And, of course, more attention.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: pixabay.com

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How a Baby’s Birth Month Can Affect Personality, According to Science

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 3, 2017

photo: Dafne Cholet via Flickr

Scientists have uncovered evidence that the month you are born can play a role in how your personality develops. No, we’re not talking about your astrological sign, but rather how the season of a birth can have an impact on how babies develop.

As Jeffrey Kluger reports in Time, multiple studies have shown the effects of seasonal changes on babies, both in the womb and as newborns. For example, for babies born during the winter, when cold and flu season is in full swing, viruses are more likely to affect maternal health and infant development. Another example found that mouse pups who were born in winter had a difficult time adjusting circadian rhythms as days grew longer in summer and had poorer eating habits and lowered activity levels.

Kluger breaks down the seasons and the typical personality traits that come with each one based on scientific research. Spring babies are more likely to be optimistic, but on the downside they are also the group most susceptible to depression. Summer babies also display similar optimistic personalities, but they are often prone to rapidly flip flopping from good to bad moods. Fall babies show the lowest levels of depression and the least likely to develop bipolar disorder, but they have a tendency to be irritable. Winter babies face higher levels of depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and schizophrenia, however, they also tend to be the most creative thinkers.

Does this breakdown fit your kids or your own personality? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Studies show that babies with October birthdays have strong minds and bodies

They’re Presidential

They’re Award Winners

They Have Two Birthstones

They’re Stronger

They Live the Longest

They’re Taller

People Born in October Are Either Libras or Scorpios

They’re Less Allergic

They’re Making History

Related reads

End-of-summer kiddos may have these personality traits in common

They’ll Probably Be The Youngest in Their Class

They’re Confident and Strong-Willed

They’re (Slightly) Less Likely to Go to College

They May Be Misdiagnosed with ADHD

They’re (Usually) Very Happy

They Tend to Be Bigger

They May Be More Likely to Get the Flu

There Are Two Birthstones for the Month of August

There Are a Lot of Them!

Related reads

Know someone born in the 7th month? They’ve got a few advantages

People born in July are either Cancer or Leo.

They are funny—and super-devoted to their families.

They may not see you, though.

They’re happier.

They are good leaders.

The July birthstone is Ruby.

July babies are often left-handed.

Related reads

Related reads

Featured photo: pixabay.com

Related reads

Related reads