Bounce a baby, not a ball, to be popular

New research says males have a better chance of bonding with each other when carrying an infant, as a baby's presence immediately breaks down barriers.

The study, carried out among Barbary macaque monkeys, is among the first to show that infants serve as social tools and could explain why human fathers proudly brandish new babies to everyone they meet.

According to the study, male macaques who carry babies around with them also tend to rise up the social ladder, becoming more popular among their peers.

Dr Rachel Andrew, a psychologist who specialises in families and children, says men often use their children when they want to impress their mates.

"New dads are very proud of their offspring and you often hear men saying they took their baby round to show it off to people. You certainly see that sort of behaviour amongst groups of men with babies, in a similar way to how dads with older children like to compare their child's football skills or how clever their child is."

The study, by the German Primate Centre in Gottingen, is published in the new issue of Animal Behaviour.

Forth One DJ Grant Stott, father of Sam, 13, and Lori, 9, said: "My mates and I all had kids around the same time, so they're a common interest. I have noticed that whenever we meet up what we talk about is our kids and how we're coping with them, whereas 20 years ago we were talking about fast cars, beers and women."

But Stott and pals would draw the line at bringing babies to a boys night out. "We weren't quite that Bohemian or lentil-munching. It's still very much blokes' time when we get together."

But if you're thinking of taking a baby the next time you meet up with your male friends in an effort to become more popular, you might want to think again: the researchers also discovered that male monkeys carrying infants around were more stressed than those who did not, as the crying babies eventually grated on their nerves.