5 Surprising Facts About Babies
As you stare in amazement at your precious new baby, you might be pretty surprised to know that they can actually do some pretty cool stuff! So much happens in the first few weeks, months, and especially the first year of life, and it flies by in the blink of an eye. If you have a newborn baby, are expecting, or just want to learn some cool facts, we gathered five of our favorite surprising facts about newborn babies. Keep reading to learn five surprising facts about babies and how you can help your baby get the best head start!
Newborns Cry Without Tears
Newborn babies cry plenty, especially when they are hungry or want to be held. However, newborn babies are not born with functioning tear ducts, and they don’t develop until they are around 3 weeks old. If you notice your baby crying with no tears, it is totally normal!
It is also totally normal for your baby to have clogged tear ducts in the first few weeks of life as they are developing. Don’t worry, all you need to do is massage them, but if you have extra concerns, reach out to your pediatrician.
Babies Can Swallow and Breathe at the Same Time
This awesome fact is especially helpful for those early days of learning how to feed. You will notice your little one is able to breathe and swallow at the same time, a skill that they quickly grow out of.
Want to encourage better nursing and feeding skills with your newborn? Innobaby has an entire line of oral development teethers that can be used in young babies to encourage healthy oral development.
Our teether is used by pediatricians to help exercise the tongue, lips, and cheeks to practice latching skills, opening wide, and tongue cupping to set babies up for great feeding skills for life.Plus, Innobaby holds its teethers to the very highest standards (Conforms to Toy Safety Standard ASTM F963 and EN71) and uses the highest quality TPE available, because Innobaby wants the best for your baby, just like you. Other teethers may be too small or break apart easily, but you can trust ours, especially for your delicate newborn!
Newborns Have Natural Aquatic Instinct
This has to be one of the coolest newborn facts!
While babies do have an aquatic instinct, it is important to note that they still need their parents’ help.
After babies spend so many months wobbling around in fluid in the womb, it’s not surprising that they have a natural closeness with water. You can see this with the way really young babies (I am talking a few weeks) behave in the water. At this point, babies are more accustomed to floating in warm water than to being on a solid surface.
Babies have a number of reflexes that develop in the womb. The key one we work with is the gag reflex (AKA laryngeal reflex!). The gag reflex is activated when water enters the mouth. The glottis and epiglottis close, preventing water from entering the throat and providing a watertight seal to the lungs while your baby is submerged. This automatic response is eventually replaced by conscious breath control. After about 6 months old, your baby's gag reflex starts to reduce, so we focus on teaching your baby how to control their breathing.
[source: https://www.babysquids.co.uk/blog/baby-swimming-natural-reflexes/ ]
Want to play with your baby in the water? Bathtime is always a great option, and it is one of the best ways you can bond with your baby. Innobaby has an entire line of bathtime essentials to make bath time enjoyable for both you and your baby, including a special scrub to help get that stubborn cradle cap off.
A Baby’s Brain Doubles in Size in the First Year
With all the growing and learning that happens in the first year of life, it is no surprise that a baby’s brain doubles in size in the first year, and grows to 90% of its full size by age 5!
This is why the first five years of your child’s life is so important—not only are they learning so much at this age, but it shapes their brain for life.
Here are some ways you can nurture your baby’s brain development, even at an early newborn age:
| Interactions. |
Talk, sing, read, and play! Do everything you can to interact with your baby, no matter how high the dishes are piling up. Narrate everything you’re doing, smile, laugh, and keep interactions as positive as possible! |
| Lead by example. | Be positive around them, respond to their cues lovingly, and treat other people kindly—especially those in your house. Even babies pick this stuff up! |
| Exploration. |
Let your baby get messy! Exploring their environment is extremely important for their brain development. Make sure they are safe first and foremost, and then let them have a ton of fun, even if it might include getting messy or dirty. |
A great way to interact with your baby is to see positive interactions, great leadership, and exploration, including playing with bubbles! Our sensory bubble blower comes with a botanical bubble solution, which is not only great for sensitive skin but also for babies to play with, too!
For more fun parenting tips and great products for babies, visit us at Innobaby.com!