How Long Does It Take to Get a Baby in Stardew Valley?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The process of having a baby in Stardew Valley takes approximately 28 in-game days from start to finish, assuming everything goes smoothly and your spouse agrees. This is broken down into roughly two phases: first, the time it takes to be asked if you want a child (this is based on chance), and second, the 14-day pregnancy period, followed by another 14 days before the baby becomes a toddler. Keep in mind that the initial request from your spouse is based on a random chance after you meet certain relationship requirements.
The Stardew Valley Stork: A Detailed Timeline
Stage 1: Relationship and Requirements (Variable Time)
Before a stork even thinks about fluttering its way to your farm, you need to establish a strong relationship with your spouse. This includes:
- Marriage: You need to be married to an eligible NPC.
- 10 Hearts: Maintain a 10-heart relationship with your spouse. Remember to give them a bouquet to move past 8 hearts, and a Mermaid’s Pendant to propose marriage.
- Nursery: Ensure you have upgraded your farmhouse to include the nursery. This is the second upgrade available from Robin at the Carpenter’s Shop.
- Crib: The crib must be present in the nursery. Do not remove it!
- Married for 7 Days: You need to be married for at least a week of in-game time.
Once these requirements are met, there’s approximately a 5% chance each night that your spouse will ask if you want to have a child. This is where the variability comes in. You might get the question on night one, or it could take several seasons. Patience is key, farmer!
Stage 2: The 14-Day Wait (Fixed Time)
If you and your spouse agree to have a baby, congratulations! Now the waiting game begins. For the next 14 in-game days, your character is essentially “pregnant.” You won’t see any visible changes in your character’s appearance, but rest assured, the digital stork is hard at work.
Stage 3: Newborn Arrival (Fixed Time)
After 14 days, the stork delivers! A cutscene will play, showing your spouse holding the newborn. The baby will then appear in the crib in the nursery.
Stage 4: Toddler Time (Fixed Time)
Your baby isn’t going to stay tiny forever. After another 14 in-game days, the baby will grow into a toddler. They will be able to walk around in the house, and they will interact with you. However, they never grow beyond the toddler stage in Stardew Valley.
Factors That Affect Baby Arrival
- Luck: A bit of in-game luck never hurts! Though there’s no concrete evidence, some players believe high daily luck might slightly improve the odds of your spouse asking about having a baby.
- Affection: Maintaining a high level of affection (10 hearts) is crucial. Talk to your spouse daily and give them gifts they love to keep those hearts full.
- Patience: Ultimately, the process relies on a random chance. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while!
Frequently Asked Questions About Stardew Valley Babies
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the world of digital parenthood in Stardew Valley:
1. Can same-sex couples have children in Stardew Valley?
Yes! Same-sex couples can adopt a child in Stardew Valley. The process is identical to that of heterosexual couples, except instead of “getting pregnant,” your partner will file papers for adoption.
2. What happens if I say no to having a baby?
If you say “not now” when your spouse asks about having a child, there will be another ≈5% chance they will ask again each night that you are married (and maintain 10 hearts). There’s no penalty for saying no. You can always change your mind later.
3. Can I have more than two children?
Officially, no. Stardew Valley limits you to two children. However, there is a way around this limit, though it is quite dark: the Dark Shrine of Selfishness.
4. What is the Dark Shrine of Selfishness and how does it relate to children?
The Dark Shrine of Selfishness is located in the Witch’s Hut and becomes accessible after completing the Goblin Problem quest. By offering a Prismatic Shard, you can turn your children into doves, permanently removing them from the game. This then allows your spouse to ask about having children again.
5. Is there any way to reverse the dove transformation?
No. Once you offer the Prismatic Shard and turn your children into doves, they are gone for good. There’s no way to bring them back.
6. What happens to my children if I get divorced?
If you divorce your spouse and you have children together, the children will stay on the farm with you. Your ex-spouse will leave, but the kids remain. If you are expecting a child while getting a divorce, the child will not be born or delivered.
7. Can I remarry my ex-spouse after a divorce?
Yes, you can remarry your ex-spouse. After the divorce, you can visit the Witch’s Hut and use a different shrine to erase your ex-spouse’s memories. This costs 30,000g. After that, you can rebuild your relationship and remarry them.
8. Do children ever grow up beyond the toddler stage?
No, children in Stardew Valley never grow beyond the toddler stage. They will remain toddlers forever.
9. How does the gender of my children work?
The gender of your first child is random. Your second child will always be the opposite gender of your first child. So, if your first child is a boy, your second will be a girl, and vice versa.
10. What can I do with my children?
Once they become toddlers, you can interact with them daily. They will mostly toddle around the house and sometimes give you gifts. They also participate in some festivals.
11. My baby is white, even though I married someone of a different race. Why?
This is a common question! In Stardew Valley, if you marry a white spouse, your first baby will always be white, regardless of your own character’s race. This is just a quirk of the game’s coding.
12. How do I get blue chickens?
Getting blue chickens is tied to befriending Shane. Reach 8 hearts with Shane, and trigger his 8-heart event. After this event, blue chickens will randomly become available for purchase from Marnie’s Ranch. Note that this is separate from having babies.
13. What are the best gifts to give my spouse to maintain a 10-heart relationship?
Each spouse has their own loved gifts. Check the Stardew Valley Wiki or use a gift guide to determine the best gifts for your chosen spouse. Giving them loved gifts regularly will keep their hearts full and increase the chances of them asking about having a baby.
14. Can I prevent my spouse from asking about having children?
The easiest way to prevent your spouse from asking to have children is to not meet the conditions needed for them to ask. If you want to prevent your spouse from asking, keep your relationship below 10 hearts, don’t upgrade your house to include the nursery, or keep the crib removed. However, this comes with a trade-off: these conditions will impact your relationship with your spouse.
15. Where can I learn more about the complexities of games like Stardew Valley?
For in-depth analysis on the educational and social impacts of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. It is a great source for game-based learning research and development. You can find the website of the Games Learning Society here: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/
Having a baby in Stardew Valley is a rewarding experience that adds depth to your farm life. Understanding the timeline and requirements can help you prepare for parenthood and enjoy this special milestone in your virtual world. Happy farming, and happy parenting!