Irish Wedding News
17/12/2013
According to a report in the journal Current Biology, the so-called "baby illusion" occurs no matter how many children a mother has.
Under the research, it was discovered that mothers can underestimate the height of their youngest child by an average of 7.5cm. However, they are accurately able to judge the height of their older children.
Those behind the study have claimed this is because of an adaptive mechanism which is to nurture and protect the most vulnerable offspring.
A total of 747 mothers were surveyed and they were asked by experts if they remembered experiencing a change in their youngest child's size immediately following the birth of a new baby. Some 70% admitted that they did. It is thought this shift relates, primarily, to the former 'baby' of the family, as mothers were less likely to report a height difference with their other children. The researchers added that parents are under an illusion that their child was actually smaller than they really were, and so, when the new baby arrives, parents now view their offspring as the size he or she really is.
As part of the study, 70 mothers were asked to estimate the height of each of their children by putting a mark on a wall. It was consistently revealed that mothers underestimated the height of their only - or youngest child - yet many were able to estimate the height of their older children.
Commenting on the findings, lead researcher, Jordy Kaufman, from the Swinburne University of Technology, said: "Our research potentially explains why the 'baby of the family' never outgrows that label.
"To the parents, the baby of the family may always be 'the baby'."
(JP/IT)
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Mothers Think Youngest Child Is Shorter Than They Actually Are
A new study has suggested that mothers think their youngest child is shorter than they actually are.According to a report in the journal Current Biology, the so-called "baby illusion" occurs no matter how many children a mother has.
Under the research, it was discovered that mothers can underestimate the height of their youngest child by an average of 7.5cm. However, they are accurately able to judge the height of their older children.
Those behind the study have claimed this is because of an adaptive mechanism which is to nurture and protect the most vulnerable offspring.
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A total of 747 mothers were surveyed and they were asked by experts if they remembered experiencing a change in their youngest child's size immediately following the birth of a new baby. Some 70% admitted that they did. It is thought this shift relates, primarily, to the former 'baby' of the family, as mothers were less likely to report a height difference with their other children. The researchers added that parents are under an illusion that their child was actually smaller than they really were, and so, when the new baby arrives, parents now view their offspring as the size he or she really is.
As part of the study, 70 mothers were asked to estimate the height of each of their children by putting a mark on a wall. It was consistently revealed that mothers underestimated the height of their only - or youngest child - yet many were able to estimate the height of their older children.
Commenting on the findings, lead researcher, Jordy Kaufman, from the Swinburne University of Technology, said: "Our research potentially explains why the 'baby of the family' never outgrows that label.
"To the parents, the baby of the family may always be 'the baby'."
(JP/IT)
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Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
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Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
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