Study finds premature babies make fewer friends

Premature babies

by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Updated on

It's been reported that babies who are born premature make fewer friends than full term children

Shocking research has revealed that premature babies are less accepted and make fewer friends than kids who are born full term.

According to the University of Warwick during early childhood premature babies make less friends and spend less time socialising with other kids.

During the study that analysed over 1000 children it found that children who were before 32 weeks had - on average - four friends. Whereas full term kids who were born between 37 and 41 weeks would have five friends by the time they're six-years-old.

Check out: The top 12 most weird and wonderful techniques to get pregnant by wannabe mums

Gallery

The top 12 most weird and wonderful techniques to get pregnant by wannabe mums - slider

pregnancy1 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

1 - Wear socks during sex and for the week after to keep your feet warm

pregnancy2 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

2 - Eat McDonalds chips immediately after sex

pregnancy3 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

3 - Eat dark chocolate every day

pregnancy4 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

4 - Avoid having an orgasm for a week after sex

pregnancy5 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

6 - Eat pineapples and drink pineapple juice

pregnancy6 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

5 - Use reverse psychology and tell yourself you don’t want a baby, then have a wild night out and forget about ‘trying’

pregnancy7 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

8 - Pierce your nose on the left side

pregnancy8 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

7 - Wear green and use green bedsheets

pregnancy9 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

9 - Don’t just put your legs in the air but ‘bicycle’ them for at least three minutes

pregnancy10 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

10 - Sleep in total darkness. Switch off your phones, devices and wifi

pregnancy11 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

11 - Do ‘dry January’ and stop drinking for a month

pregnancy12 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

12 - And for the men - wear frozen underwear

Premature baby
©Shutterstock / Rex

The parents of the children born premature also admitted that their little ones were less accepted by their friends. However, by the time all the children reached eight-years-old the premature born babies manage to catch up with the other children and they all reportedly have around six friends each.

Unfortunately it came to light during the research that even though premature babies have more friends by the time they're eight, they see their friends 15% less often that the other kids who were born full term.

School Childre
©Getty Images

The study also discovered that children who had poorer motor abilities, poorer cognitive abilities and more emotional problems had fewer friends and were less well accepted by them.

And boys, children from bigger families, kids who have a poor relationship with their parents during infancy and children with cognitive, motor or behaviour problems meet their friends and are accepted by them less.

Professor Wolke, who undertook the study, has advised: "Entering school increases social networks and should be a consideration when contemplating delaying school entry for preterm children.

"Although most preterm children catch up with their full term peers during early elementary school, future interventions to improve friendships and social interaction skills should start before school entry to prevent later psychopathology and behaviour problems."

What do you think of this study? Are you shocked or surprised? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

WATCH: Closer Confidential - Lauren Goodger's Shock Pics, Kim Kardashian's Downfall And A Ghost Lover!

READ MORE

Mums share the top advice all expectant mums need to know

Premature baby boy Rayden, who was born at 25 weeks, is swamped by dad’s wedding ring

WATCH: Emotional video captures very premature baby’s incredible transformation

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us