Researchers have found that babies who are fussy about food can develop behavioural problems later in life -- in fact they are likely to grow into tiny tyrants, who rule the roost at home and often in trouble at school.

On the contrary, the study found that children who are less moody and more predictable as infants are at “very low risk” of future behaviour problems.

They have defined fussy babies as those who refuse, or take a long time, to feed; are hungry or tired at different times each day; are constantly demanding attention; or will not sleep in the evenings and through the night.

In their study, the researchers tracked nearly 2,000 children from birth to the age of 13, and then came to the conclusion, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.

According to the researchers, genetics plays a part in a child’s behaviour but parenting style in the first year of life has an important effect on how the child develops through infancy.

“The findings also point to the potential benefits of teaching new parents the skills they need. Helping parents would be beneficial in preventing future child conduct problems,” lead researcher Dr Benjamin Lahey of Chicago University said.