MOTHERS who cradle their baby to their right side are displaying signs of extreme stress, according to a study by North-East researchers.

Although most mothers feel stressed in the early stages of their baby's life, the study by Durham University researchers suggests their baby cradling habits are a key indicator of whether this stress could lead to depression.

Previous research has already shown that the majority of mothers prefer to cradle their baby to their left, regardless of whether they are left or right-handed.

With at least one in ten women developing post-natal depression, studying non-verbal clues such as baby cradling could help doctors and health visitors identify which mothers are in need of extra support.

The study, published in the online version of the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, studied 79 new mothers and their babies, who were an average age of seven months.

Surveyed in their homes, mothers were asked to pick up their babies and cradle them in their arms. They also completed a survey that asked them about their mental state. The research established there was no link between cradling side and left or right-handedness.

The study found that of the mothers who expressed no signs of stress or depression in the survey, 86 per cent preferred to hold their babies to the left. However, cradling babies to the right was more prominent among stressed mothers, with only 68 per cent showing a left-sided bias.

Lead author Dr Nadja Reissland, a senior lecturer with Durham University's department of psychology, said: "Many mothers do not realise they are suffering from stress, or do not want to admit they are. The way they interact with their child is usually the best indicator of their inner mental state."

The study was funded by the Children's Research Fund.

Rachelle Mason, 29, from Durham City, cradles her eight-month old son, Sam, to her left.

Ms Mason said: "I know a lot of mums do go through the same stresses, but when it gets to a point where someone really cannot cope, I think it is a good thing that there could be another sign that indicates someone may need help.