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18 Fascinating Newborn Facts

Bringing a newborn into your life is filled with surprises—many of which you may not have expected! From unique physical traits to extraordinary early developments, your baby has some amazing characteristics that you might not know about. Here are some surprising facts about your little one that will amaze you and change how you view those early weeks.

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1. They Have No Kneecaps!

That’s right — while your baby may be born with an impressive 300 bones, they don’t have kneecaps at birth. These bones gradually fuse as your baby grows, and kneecaps don’t fully develop until later in childhood.

2. Babies Are Born in Heaviest!

Your baby has already peaked in weight when they are born! Babies typically lose about 5 – 10% of their birth weight within the first few days after birth but regain it soon after.

3. Newborn Babies Have No Tears

Though they cry a lot, newborns don’t actually shed tears in their first few weeks. Their tear ducts are not fully developed at birth, so while they may sound distressed, there are no tears running down those little cheeks just yet.

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4. Babies Are Born With 300 Bones

Newborns have nearly 100 more bones than adults! As they grow, many of these bones fuse together. By the time they reach adulthood, they’ll have around 206 bones.

5. Most Babies Have a Birthmark

Approximately 80% of babies are born with some form of birthmark, ranging from moles to patches of darker or lighter skin. While some disappear as they grow, others may remain throughout their lives.

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6. Babies Smile in Their Sleep

Have you ever caught your newborn smiling in their sleep? Even in those early days, babies experience reflex smiles, often brought on during REM sleep.

7. They Can Only See in Black and White

For the first few weeks, newborns see in shades of black, white, and gray. Their vision slowly improves, and by the time they are six months old, they’ll be able to see more clearly and in full color.

8. Babies Can Swim (Sort of)

Newborns possess a natural reflex known as the “swimming reflex.” When placed in water, they can instinctively hold their breath and make swimming motions. However, this reflex fades as they grow older.

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9. They Prefer Your Voice Over Others

Your baby is most comforted by your voice. After spending months in the womb, they recognize it immediately and prefer its familiar sound over others.

10. Time to Smile

Between six and eight weeks, most babies will begin to smile socially. This is when they start to react to stimuli, especially the faces and voices of their parents.

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11. Babies Have Periods! (Baby Girls Only)

If you have a baby girl, you may notice some vaginal bleeding or discharge in the first few days. This is perfectly normal and results from the withdrawal of maternal hormones after birth.

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12. Lots of Laughs

Babies are natural comedians! Most babies will begin laughing around three to four months of age, a beautiful milestone for parents.

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13. Babies Have Boobs

Due to maternal hormones, both baby boys and girls can experience swollen breast tissue at birth, often referred to as “witch’s milk.” This usually disappears within a few weeks.

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14. Eye Color Changes Over Time

Most babies are born with blue or gray eyes, but their true eye color may not reveal itself for several months, sometimes up to a year.

15. Babies Can Breathe and Swallow at the Same Time

For the first few months of life, babies can actually breathe and swallow simultaneously—a skill that comes in handy during breastfeeding.

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16. Babies Taste More Than Adults

Your baby is born with around 30,000 taste buds—more than adults! These taste buds are not only on their tongue but on the sides and roof of their mouths as well.

17. Born With All Their Hair—Or None

Newborns vary dramatically when it comes to hair. Some babies are born with a full head of hair, while others are completely bald. Regardless, their hair texture and color will likely change within the first year.

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18. Quickly Growing Feet

A baby’s feet grow rapidly during their first year, increasing almost two sizes by the time they are one year old.

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Fascinated by your newborn yet? These amazing facts show just how remarkable babies truly are. Enjoy every moment of discovery with your little one as they grow and develop each day.

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