10 Amazing Facts About Babies That You May Not Know

Pregnancy is a memorable time in a woman’s life, but it’s the end result that’s even more incredible. The gift of a child is remarkable and a newborn baby is one of life’s most perfect creations. Their teeny tiny little hands and their downy heads beg to be kissed and just looking at those little faces will have you weeping with joy. I wish I could bottle up that stage forever and yet it comes and goes in an instant!

A couple of months ago we highlighted the 10 most amazing facts about pregnancy (some of these will really blow your mind!) and I wanted to do the same but for babies. For example: did you know a baby can crawl as soon as they are born? It’s true! I’ve seen it myself. They can also recognize their mother’s voice at birth. Pretty amazing isn’t it?

Here are 10 amazing facts about these mini human beings.

Babies Have More Bones Than Adults

Since adults are so much taller and wider than a baby you would naturally assume they have more bones. Right?

Wrong! A baby is born with 270 bones and by the time he reaches adulthood that number drops to 206! The reason for the loss of bones is due to fusion of the spine and skull as baby grows.

Photo credit: storyvillegirl/Flickr

Source: Online Orthopaedics

Most Babies Are Born With Blue Eyes

The color of the eye comes from the color particles behind the iris and in the main tissue of the iris. The melonin/pigment in the main tissue is in the most cases is not developed at birth which is why most babies regardless of their genetics are born with blue eyes. By 6 months to 12 months, the melonin is activated by your baby’s genetics (blue, brown, hazel, etc).

Photo credit: Vincent_AF/Flickr

Source: National Eye Institute

Newborns Are Nearsighted

Newborn babies are very nearsighted and their vision only allows them to see people and objects at their clearest when they are within 8 to 12 inches away.

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Source: eMedicineHealth

Babies Double Their Birthweight In 5 Months

Talk about overachievers! Babies will double their birthweight by the time they hit 5 months of age.

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Source: Mayo Clinic

One In Every 3 Infants Has A Birthmark

This is one fact that definitely surprised me. I didn’t realize the number was so high! One in every three infants has a birthmark and twice as many girls than boys.

Photo credit: abbybatchelder/Flickr

Source: Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health: Infancy through Adolescence | 2006 | Linwood, Aliene

Babies Take More Breaths Than Adults

A newborn baby’s breathe is so much faster than an adult’s or child’s. Their normal breathing rate is in and around 40 times per minute, while an adult breathes between 12 and 20.

Photo credit: DeaPeaJay/Flickr

Source: Oregon Health & Science University

Newborn Babies Don't Shed Tears

They may cry a lot, but the fact of the matter is – newborn babies don’t shed tears. Why? Although the tear ducts and glands are working, they produce just enough tears to lubricate and protect your baby’s eyes. Look for those teardrops to start flowing between 1 and 3 months.

Photo credit: Kristopher Avila/Flickr

Source: Jennifer Shu, M.D., coauthor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’s book “Heading Home With Your Newborn”

4 Babies Are Born Every Second

Have you ever wondered how many births occur around the world every minute? The answer would be 255. That is 4.3 births every single second!

Photo credit: Kristopher leehaywood/Flickr

Source: United States Census Bureau

Babies Can Crawl As Soon As They Are Born

No really, they can! In 1987 the Karolinska Institute in Sweden compiled the findings of their study on the “Breast Crawl”. When the baby was dried and laid on a mother’s chest immediately after birth they were able to find her chest for feeding within an hour. Pretty impressive!

Photo credit: Kristopher cscott2006/Flickr

Source: BreastCrawl.org

Newborns Recognize Mom's Voice At Birth

When a baby is born, their hearing isn’t 100% up to par. The middle ear is still full of fluid which tends to impair the hearing somewhat. The one sound they are able to recognize is the sound of mama’s voice. They respond to this sound above all others.

Photo credit: Kristopher matsuyuki/Flickr

Source: WebMD

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