Take the recent findings on the relation between tummy time and developmental milestones as a good example (According to research, the time that babies spend playing around on their tummies is pivotal to a whole range of skills), or the discovery of below average executive functions when babies are turned on their back when they sleep.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. With crib deaths were on the rise, and statistical evidence backing up the apparent common sense that babies sleeping on their tummy are at risk, it wasn't long before Pediatric Specialists all over the world were urging mothers to turn their toddlers in the interest of preventing crib death.
And so began a growing trend of babies that are slower than tummy toddlers who have higher IQ's at 8, higher reading comprehension by the age of 26, and according to the recent finding of a long term follow-up and comparison study, by the time they hit their 30's tummy toddlers have a higher level of education and generally score better in executive functions such as categorization than babies raised on their back.
You can find the original article with links to the scientific research by following the link below:
Why babies need more tummy time than they're getting. - By Brian Mossop - Slate Magazine
