This state of affairs, where top-quality males become almost as picky as top-quality females, should be expected to develop in any species where the males are involved in bringing up baby as well as creating it.

ECONOMIST: Birds do it, bees do it | The

He spends his newfound spare time fishing, socializing, bringing up his baby and helping his wife out with her catering business.

CNN: Taking a step into the slow lane

Young mothers, and those bringing up the baby on their own appeared to be more at risk of suffering a cot death.

BBC: 'Lowest ever' infant death rate

In addition, mothers with three or more children were 30% more likely to lose a subsequent child to cot death than those bringing up their first baby.

BBC: 'Lowest ever' infant death rate

Speaking at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference, Dr Julie Nekkebroeck, who carried out the small Belgian study of 15 women, said they also found that 27% wanted to give their relationship a chance to blossom before bringing up the subject of having a baby.

BBC: Women freeze eggs to wait for 'Mr Right'