News Humans

Women have hormonal cues for baby cuteness

Premenopausal women, especially those taking oral contraceptives, have an advantage in picking out the cutest babies

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Everyone oohs and ahs over babies. Ironically, new research suggests that young women taking oral contraceptives are especially good at picking out babies with the most adorable little mugs.

YOU GOTTA SEE THE BABY Women who are premenopausal or are taking contraceptives exhibited special skill at detecting the cuteness of babies such as this one, a 6-month-old shown in modified images that added (left) or subtracted (right) cuteness from the child’s actual face.