What a little love means to a little one

For too many, the damage begins early in life. Four out of 10 infants born in the United States do not form a strong bond with either parent, and they will pay for that the rest of their lives.

New research from Princeton University confirms what other researchers have already found: The number of babies born into families that are poorly equipped to give them a fair chance at having a successful life is alarmingly high.

That finding is supported by many other research projects, including a startling study from the University of Rochester showing that nearly one-third of U.S. parents don't know what to expect from their newborns, or how to help them grow and learn and get along with others.

Babies, as others have noted, don't come with an owner's manual.