Background This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with specific language impairment (SLI). Methods In a nested case–control design, 253 children attending special needs schools for severe speech and language difficulties in the Netherlands were matched for sex and date of birth with 253 children attending mainstream education. Data on perinatal, maternal and family issues were retrieved from well‐child care files registered shortly after birth. Results Children with SLI had younger mothers than children in the control group (mean 30 years 9 months vs. mean 31 years 9 months) (P = 0.02). Children with SLI were less frequently breastfed directly after birth (55% vs. 71%) (P = 0.0007) and were less frequently firstborns (33.3% vs. 46.2%) (P = 0.002). No statistically significant differences were found for any of the other risk factors. Conclusions A relationship was found between SLI and maternal age, being breastfed and place in the birth order. Perinatal risk factors do not seem to be strongly associated with SLI.