9 Interesting Facts About Babies You Didn't Know

Manisha Pradhan

Author | 1053 Articles

Babies are not just cute and cuddly but they’re also full of surprises! Whether you’re a new parent or a seasoned one, there’s no denying that babies are endlessly fascinating.

Did you know that they can swim before they can walk? Or that they cry in different accents depending on their mother tongue? From their natural sense of rhythm to their ability to communicate with sign language, there’s always something new to discover about these little bundles of joy.

Read about these 10 interesting facts about babies we bet you didn’t know about!

Interesting Facts About Babies We Bet You Didn’t Know About!

*Researchers have found that babies try to imitate the language they heard while still in the womb*/ *Image source: freepik*

1. Babies can swim before they can walk

It might sound surprising, but babies have a natural ability to hold their breath underwater and kick their legs. This instinct is called the “dive reflex,” and it helps infants survive in case they fall into water accidentally. Although babies cannot swim independently until they are older, they can enjoy water activities with adult supervision.

2. Babies cry in different accents

Researchers have found that babies try to imitate the language they heard while still in the womb. For example, French babies cry with a rising intonation, while German babies cry with a falling intonation. This phenomenon is called “accented crying” and is thought to reflect the language-learning abilities of infants.

3. Babies are born with more bones than adults

When babies are born, their skeletons are made of around 300 bones, while adults have only 206 bones. The reason for this is that many bones in the baby’s body are not yet fused and will grow together over time. For example, the skull bones of a newborn are not yet fused to allow for easier delivery.

4. Babies can recognise faces from a very young age

Even though babies’ vision is not fully developed at birth, they can recognise their parents’ faces within the first few weeks of life. Researchers have found that babies prefer to look at faces over other objects and can distinguish between different facial expressions, such as happy, sad, or angry.

5. Babies have a natural sense of rhythm

Babies respond to music and rhythm from a very young age. Studies have shown that infants can synchronize their movements with the beat of the music and that they prefer songs with a regular tempo and predictable patterns. This ability may be related to the development of language and communication skills.

6. Babies have a strong sense of smell

Newborns can smell their mother’s breast milk from a distance of several feet away. In fact, babies can recognise their mother’s scent within the first few days of life, and they prefer the smell of their mother’s milk to other scents. This preference may help babies bond with their mothers and feel more secure.

*Newborns can smell their mother’s breast milk from a distance of several feet away/ Image source: freepik*

7. Babies can communicate with sign language before they can speak

Babies can start using simple gestures to communicate their needs and wants from as early as six months old. Sign language can be an effective way for babies to express themselves before they learn to talk. Studies have shown that babies who learn sign language have better communication skills and may have fewer tantrums and frustrations.

8. Babies have a strong sense of taste

Babies have taste buds from birth and can distinguish between different flavours, such as sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. However, they may need to try a food several times before they develop a liking for it. Researchers believe that exposing babies to a variety of flavours and textures can help them develop healthy eating habits.

9. Babies can dream

Although scientists cannot be sure what babies dream about, studies have shown that infants experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is associated with dreaming in adults. Infants spend a significant amount of time in REM sleep, which may be important for their brain development and learning.

Babies are fascinating little bundles with a range of unique abilities and characteristics. From their natural swimming skills to their strong sense of smell and taste, they have a lot to teach us about the wonders of human development.

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