This is very good news for babies

Dr Miriam Stoppard

Dr Stoppard told BBC Breakfast News: "We found out that nine out of 10 men attend the birth and hold the baby immediately after.

"That is about twice as many as 10 years ago.

"What we didn't know until the research was done are the practical implications of that strong bonding.

"For instance, dads who do bond very strongly and hold their baby immediately, don't allow their babies to cry, they get up in the night and that is very good news for babies, babies shouldn't be allowed to cry."

But Dr Stoppard warned that care for the baby should not come at the expense of support for a partner.

Paid paternity leave

She said: "Men are becoming more active with babies, they change dirty nappies, do the 2am feed, but perhaps then they are not paying as much attention as they could to mum."

She said there was evidence that a supportive father was one of the most powerful preventatives of post-natal depression in mothers.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that the government intends to introduce paid paternity leave for new fathers.

It is thought the payment will be two weeks' paid leave from the time of the birth at �60.20 a week, which is the same amount paid for statutory maternity leave.