7 Bizarre But True Facts About Babies

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If you are someone who has held a newborn baby in your arms and looked at it with complete fascination, you are probably not alone. Babies are tiny, but they are one of the most intriguing little things ever, and if you have a baby, you will probably agree. Have you ever wondered why babies smile randomly, stare into space, or laugh at a paper bag? We have no answers because we don’t know either. But just like you, we’ve always wondered what goes in their minds and why they react in specific ways. Maybe they are just bizarre. Well, we think so. Curious to find out why? We’re here to tell you! Scroll down to know some odd but true baby facts:

In This Article

1. Babies Don’t Have Tears

Babies Don't Have Tears
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The first thing a newborn baby does when it enters this world is cry. But when they do, there are no tears. While babies are born with tear ducts, they are not fully developed yet. They only produce enough tears to moisten their eyes to prevent them from drying. But these tears are not enough to trickle down their adorable cheeks (1).

2. Babies Eye Color Changes From Birth

Babies Eye Color Changes From Birth
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Did you know that babies’ eyes may change color from when they are born? The iris depends on the protein melanin, which is produced by melanocytes. The more melanin produced in your body, the darker your eyes are. It takes about a year for the melanin to be produced, which is why babies have different colored eyes before their first birthday, and perhaps it could change as they grow (2).

3. Babies Are Born With Partially Developed Kneecaps

Babies Are Born With Partially Developed Kneecaps
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Although babies are born with kneecaps, they are not bony or hard. They are only made of cartilage material, which later develops into bone structures (3).

4. Babies Are Born With More Bones Than You

Babies Are Born With More Bones Than You
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At birth, babies are born with almost 300 bones. That is 94 bones more than a human adult! As babies grow, these bones fuse, and eventually, you have 206 bones as an adult. Babies have cartilage, which slowly develops into bones with the help of calcium as they grow up (4).

5. Babies Are Born Swimmers

Babies Are Born Swimmers
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Did you know that when babies are placed in water (with you holding them, of course), their reflexes make them follow the primitive swimming strokes? They might not be able to swim yet, but they sure know the motion for it (5). However, ensure that you don’t let your baby stay in the water for too long as their bodies cannot regulate temperatures like the adult body does.

6. Babies Recognize Their Mother’s Voice The Best

Babies Recognize Their Mother's Voice The Best
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Your baby might not understand you or respond to you, but they fully recognize the mother’s voice. They feel safe and protected with this sound as they have been hearing it right from when they were in the womb (6).

7. Babies Can Feel The Rhythm

Babies Can Feel The Rhythm
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Babies are born with an ear to music. Studies show that babies possess a cognitive skill called beat induction, which lets you tap your feet to the beat of a rhythm from birth. No wonder they love lullabies so much! Beat induction is a unique feature of our species. Chimpanzees and bonobos do not recognize beats or rhythm even though they are our closest evolutionary relatives (7). Studies also revealed that classical music boosts IQ and brain development in babies (8).

Babies are cute and adorable. Their squishy and tiny hands, feet, and face make them the most lovable little beings, but there is no denying that they are intriguing. They randomly smile, cry, laugh, and stare at you, leaving you wondering why! How many of these bizarre facts about babies surprised you? Comment below and let us know. If you were fascinated by this article, share it with your friends and family so they can enjoy some fun but bizarre facts too.

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