"The Truth About 'Eldest Daughter Syndrome': Surprising Findings from a New Study"

A new study suggests that "eldest daughter syndrome" may have scientific backing, as first-born daughters tend to mature earlier in response to their mothers' prenatal stress, enabling them to help rear younger siblings. The study found a correlation between early signs of adrenal puberty in first-born daughters and high levels of prenatal stress in mothers, indicating a potential evolutionary adaptation for daughters to become "helpers-at-the-nest" in difficult environments. This research adds to the growing understanding of fetal programming, exploring how maternal stress during pregnancy affects children long after birth.