Buzz
There are many ways to characterize babies. To some, they’re irresistibly adorable and cuddly, while others may view them as exhausting or challenging. Regardless of differing views, one thing that’s rarely mentioned is how scientifically extraordinary babies are.
While their small, fragile bodies may appear as tiny versions of ours, they operate in completely unique ways as newborns compared to how they function a few months later. This list only touches the surface of the fascinating processes and events that happen in a newborn's body.
10. They Develop Mustaches While in the Womb
A 1998 study discovered that seven out of 3,000 babies developed a “mustache” inside their mother’s womb. This was revealed through ultrasounds conducted between weeks 14 and 16 of pregnancy. The term “mustache” here refers to a “rod-like structure on the fetal upper lip.” These seven fetuses were observed, and in all cases, the structure had vanished by birth, with no abnormalities seen in the babies’ upper lips.
Fetuses develop hair while in the womb, with the first signs often appearing at 16 weeks. Known as lanugo, this fine hair begins on the upper lip and gradually spreads across the body. While it typically fades before birth, it can sometimes remain at birth.
9. Taste
A baby’s taste buds start to form while in the womb, and by birth, they are fully developed. Studies have shown that a mother’s diet during pregnancy can influence a child’s food preferences later in life, as the fetus begins to taste different flavors through the amniotic fluid it absorbs.
However, it’s important to note that despite having a large number of taste buds, babies cannot perceive salt until about five months of age. This is believed to be because salt isn’t a necessary part of their diet yet, and thus it should be limited in their intake. As babies grow, their taste buds undergo changes, which may cause them to have different reactions to flavors they once enjoyed. With this in mind, it might be worth reconsidering our diets during pregnancy if we want our children to develop healthier eating habits.
8. Babies Are Born With Around 300 Bones
The average adult human body contains 206 bones. In contrast, babies are born with approximately 300 bones, which gradually fuse over time to form the adult skeleton. Additionally, a newborn’s skeleton is more flexible and cartilaginous compared to an adult’s. Over time, with the help of calcium, these bones ossify and harden to create a solid structure.
Fascinating, right? But why does this happen? A baby’s body is inherently designed to be soft and adaptable, primarily to assist with the delivery process. If their bodies were as rigid as an adult’s, birth would be practically impossible! Therefore, babies have softer skeletons initially, and as they grow, their bones begin to harden, which is yet another marvel of nature.
7. They Don’t Have Kneecaps Yet
Despite having around 100 more bones than an adult, babies don’t have fully formed kneecaps! This is because, as mentioned earlier, their skeletons are more cartilaginous at birth. While the kneecap is present, it is made of soft cartilage, and is one of the last bones to fully ossify. It’s important to note that kneecaps won’t appear on X-rays, but they are technically there. The kneecaps generally finish ossifying between the ages of three and five.
This soft, flexible kneecap serves an important function during a baby’s early years, particularly as they begin crawling. Have you ever wondered why kneeling or crawling hurts as you age, but didn’t when you were a child? This is why. Part of the reason it takes so long for the kneecap to form is because it’s used constantly in early childhood, slowing its development. It is also the largest sesamoid bone in the body (a bone that forms within a tendon). So next time you kneel down and complain about the pain of getting older, you might just be 100-percent right.
6. The Eye Color of a Baby May Change After Birth
Eye color is determined by melanin, the same pigment responsible for the color of our skin and hair. Just as sunlight darkens skin and lightens hair, it also affects the eyes. Often, Caucasian newborns are born with blue or grey eyes. However, after the baby opens their eyes, light triggers the production of melanin in the iris, which can lead to a change in eye color.
The most significant changes in eye color typically happen between three and nine months of age, although this can vary by individual. After this period, any changes tend to be more subtle or even unnoticeable. Some people’s eyes continue to change throughout their lives, and no, I’m not referring to contact lenses.
5. Babies Can Swallow and Breathe at the Same Time
Research has shown that babies can simultaneously suck, swallow, and breathe, a skill that is crucial for successful breastfeeding. The ability to perform these actions in tandem allows them to take in both nutrients and oxygen effectively. However, this ability is lost as babies grow older. It’s important to note, though, that these actions do not happen simultaneously at the exact same moment. Instead, this complex process, known as the suck-swallow-breathe cycle, requires precise coordination between the baby’s jaw, hyoid bone, tongue, palate, pharynx, and larynx to extract milk, swallow it, and maintain breathing.
Babies who struggle with this skill, often due to being born prematurely or having respiratory issues, face considerable difficulty when feeding and typically require bottle-feeding. However, this ability can sometimes be developed over time with patience and support. One of the unanswered questions for scientists is the exact mechanism by which a baby’s tongue extracts milk and clears it from the airway before taking a breath. Despite various studies and theories, a clear understanding remains elusive. The way babies feed may remain a mystery forever. Such clever little ones!
4. Babies Can’t Smile Until They’re A Few Months Old
A baby’s first smile is one of the most anticipated milestones for parents. It’s often viewed as confirmation that you’re doing well as a parent and that your little one is as happy as you are. However, these early smiles are not truly intentional or a sign of happiness. Instead, they resemble the spontaneous leg and arm movements babies make while discovering their physical capabilities. This is called a reflex smile, which typically disappears by around two months. The first genuine smile usually appears between one and a half to three months of age.
Don’t stress about missing your baby’s first true smile. Reflex smiles are brief and tend to occur when the baby is either tired or even asleep. In contrast, a real smile will be a clear response to something, lasting longer. As a parent, you’ll certainly recognize it! You can encourage this milestone by talking, cuddling, and playing with your baby frequently. Studies show that this level of affection promotes faster brain development and helps improve social skills as they grow.
3. Newborns Can Recognize Your Music Preferences
It’s been scientifically confirmed that newborns can remember experiences from the womb for far longer than we once believed. Research has shown that babies form preferences for the music they were exposed to while in the womb and retain this preference even by their first birthday. Even more astonishing is that not only can they recognize the genre of music played to them, but they can also remember specific songs!
Additional studies have indicated that babies can even show a dislike for certain music by kicking when they hear sounds they don’t enjoy. What all these studies have in common is that babies’ ability to recognize and respond to music they heard in the womb is based on the same mechanisms that help them familiarize themselves with their parents’ voices. Perhaps we should reconsider the playlist we choose when driving while pregnant.
2. They Possess A Remarkable Array Of Unique Reflexes
Reflexes are automatic physical reactions that occur as a normal bodily response, like when a doctor taps your knee, causing your leg to kick, or when you catch something thrown at you without consciously thinking about it. Some reflexes are only present in the early stages of life and gradually fade as we grow older.
A well-known reflex in newborns is the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex. This occurs when a baby is startled by a loud noise or sudden movement. In response, the baby will throw their head back, extend their arms and legs, and then quickly retract them back into their body.
One fascinating reflex you may notice in a newborn is the tonic neck reflex, often referred to as the fencing position. When a baby turns its head to one side, the arm on that side straightens while the opposite arm bends, creating the appearance of a fencing stance. This reflex can remain noticeable until the baby reaches about seven months of age.
Another reflex to observe is the grasp reflex, which can be amusing for parents to engage with. When you gently stroke the palm of a baby’s hand, they will automatically close their hand and grasp, hence the name of the reflex.
In addition to these more noticeable reflexes, babies have around 70 other reflexes that are much subtler and harder to detect.
1. Newborn Babies Do Not Cry Tears
Even though newborns can scream and cry, they do not shed tears! This isn’t a dramatic tactic to keep you awake at night, but rather due to the fact that their tear ducts are still developing. The tear ducts will become fully functional anywhere from two weeks to two months after birth. While their eyes may produce some moisture, they won't be able to shed tears during this period.
The delay in tear duct development in newborns can sometimes result in the late identification of certain developmental issues, such as blocked tear ducts, which may lead to infections. It's essential to monitor for symptoms like crusty or excessively watery eyes, as these can indicate problems with the tear ducts that require attention. Despite this, it’s still incredible that babies can cry so intensely without actually shedding tears!
