[header] How to care for newborn hamsters [title] Assess the parents' risk factors. [step] Hamsters reach sexual maturity as young as 6 weeks old, though it is not advisable to let them mate at this age. A female should be at least 8-10 weeks old before mating, and males 10-12 weeks old. 
Once a hamster reaches 12 months of age, it should no longer be bred, as health risks skyrocket. [substeps] The average hamster lifespan is 18-24 months.