How birth order matters

Dr Dorothy Einon, a psychology lecturer from University College London and author of The Baby Development Test (£7.99, Vermilion) outlines some of the common characteristics that firstborn and subsequent children are likely to have.

Your first born is more likely to...
...succeed in life. From great scientists to medics, writers, statesmen and businessmen, those at the top of their field are more likely to be first or only children. They're also more likely to conform to what's expected of them, so could even follow in your footsteps.

...have a higher IQ. They're often stretched in their early years by socialising with adults. Experts also point to the fact that eldest children enjoy more one-on-one attention from parents than subsequent children.

...be less independent. They may be late learning to do things alone as parents have more time to help dress and feed them.

...model himself on adults. This means they may try to tell other children what to do and how to behave. This bossiness
can make them unpopular! 

Your second or subsequent child is more likely to...
...make big breakthroughs. They may be less successful in conventional careers, but when it comes to making the big strides in ideas, they really come into their own.

...be more socially skilled. They often get on better with other children as siblings force them to give and take. 

...be more independent. Parents have less time to mollycoddle them so these children are often allowed more freedom. 

...be better negotiators. They are aware that they can never win in a straight fight with older siblings so learn to negotiate with people in order to gain advantage.

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