Want a Baby Boy? Timing Might Be Key, Study Suggests

If you’re hoping for a baby boy, the timing might be everything—at least according to British mathematician Hannah Fry.

She recently pointed out that historical data shows a spike in baby boys born after World War I and World War II—a phenomenon known as the “returning soldier effect.” While there’s no surefire way to conceive a boy, science suggests timing could play a role.

Why Does This Happen?

Several theories attempt to explain why more boys are born after major conflicts:

🔹 Healthier dads, more boys: Soldiers who survived the war were likely healthier, and studies suggest healthier parents have a slightly higher chance of having sons.

🔹 Nature’s balancing act: With a loss of men in combat, some believe nature compensates by producing more males.

🔹 Earlier conception, more boys: Fry notes that conceiving earlier in a woman’s cycle may slightly increase the odds of having a baby boy.

Related: Why Some Parents Are Regretting Their Baby's Name Choice

The Numbers Don’t Lie

In Canada, for every 100 girls born, 105 boys are born. However, men have a higher mortality rate than women, which may explain why nature skews the birth ratio.

While there's no guarantee, it seems when you conceive might play a small role in determining whether you’ll be buying blue or pink! 🎀💙