Babies who bond early with fathers grow up happier

Boys, in particular, benefit from a strong paternal influence as early as when they are three months old, the 'Daily Mail' reported .

Behavioural problems in early childhood often lead to health and psychological problems in adulthood which can be difficult to overcome, said Dr Paul Ramchandani in the Oxford study.

Most research on how parents affect a baby's behaviour and development has focused on mothers, while as fathers play an important role too.

The research team recruited 192 families from maternity units. Experts filmed the mothers and fathers separately as they played with their children at home in different situations