Study: Looking like dad may improve health of babies raised by single moms

Looking like dad may improve the health of infants being raised by single mothers, a new study suggests.

The study looked at more than 700 single moms and their babies. Researchers say babies who resembled their fathers at birth were found to be healthier at their first birthday. Researchers also found fathers were more likely to spend time with their babies who resembled them – 2.5 more days per month than dads of babies who don’t look like them.

Researchers say time spent together benefits the child both physically and psychologically. Researchers in the study say visits by the father increase the time the baby spends with parents, possibly allowing for more opportunities to determine health and economic needs of the child.

The finding published in the “Journal of Health Economics”.