Babies are more than just adorable
They possess unique superpowers that adults can only dream of. From breathing and swallowing at the same time to tripling their weight without getting fat, discover the amazing abilities that make babies extraordinary!
We all know that babies bring an overwhelming sense of joy, but did you know they also possess incredible superpowers that make them truly extraordinary? While adults struggle with everyday tasks, babies demonstrate abilities that are both fascinating and scientifically impressive. Whether you’re a new parent or just someone curious about how babies grow, prepare to be amazed by the remarkable abilities babies have that are completely unique to them!
1. Babies Can Cry Without Tears:
It might seem like crying is the only thing babies do, but did you know that newborns can cry without shedding tears? That’s right – babies don’t produce tears for the first few months of their life. Their tear ducts are still developing, and so it’s common for babies to cry, but not produce tears until they’re about two to six months old. This is just one example of how babies are born with certain physiological features that make them unlike any other age group!
2. Babies Have an Incredible Diving Reflex:
Did you know that babies are born with an automatic “diving reflex”? When a baby is submerged in water (from birth until about six months), their body instinctively holds its breath, and their heart rate slows down to conserve oxygen. This survival mechanism allows babies to swim effortlessly without even realising it. 95% of babies aged two to six months show this reflex, which disappears as they grow older. Imagine a superpower that helps babies swim even before they can crawl!
3. Babies Can Swallow and Breathe Simultaneously:
Most adults know that swallowing and breathing simultaneously is impossible – try eating and talking at the same time, and you might end up choking! However, babies have an amazing ability to swallow and breathe at the same time. This is due to their higher larynx, which prevents their airway from being blocked while swallowing. This remarkable ability helps them feed efficiently without risking choking.
4. Babies Can Sneeze Continuously to Clear Their Nasal Passages:
Sneezing is a reflex that helps clear out irritants in our nasal passages, but for babies, sneezing can happen frequently! While it may cause concern for new parents, it’s actually a natural process that helps babies fight off germs. Babies have narrower nasal passages, so they sneeze often to clear out irritants like breast milk, mucus, or dust. The continuous sneezing reflex ensures that their airways remain clear, giving them a powerful defence against germs.
5. Babies Fall Asleep Anywhere, Anytime:
Wouldn’t it be nice to fall asleep as easily as a baby? Babies can sleep through loud noises and sudden movements that would normally wake an adult. From the hustle of home renovations to the bustle of family gatherings, babies can fall asleep in virtually any environment. This superpower is thanks to their deep sleep cycles and the ability to tune out distractions. It’s a gift that many adults wish they had to make napping easier!
6. Babies Have a Natural Accent:
It’s often said that babies have their own language, but did you know they even have their own national accent? Studies have shown that babies’ cries actually mimic the melody of the language spoken around them. For example, babies born into French or German families tend to cry in the same melodic pattern as their native language. This is because babies begin learning the rhythms and sounds of their mother’s voice from the moment they’re in the womb, giving them a remarkable linguistic superpower.
7. Babies Can Crawl Towards Their Mother’s Breast:
Newborns possess a natural instinct to crawl towards their mother’s breast immediately after birth. Known as the “breast crawl,” babies are driven by the smell of breast milk, guiding them as they instinctively move towards their mother to feed. This superpower is an incredible bonding experience that allows newborns to connect with their mothers in a unique and powerful way.
8. Babies Are Surprisingly Flexible:
Another amazing feature babies have is their incredible flexibility. Newborns have about 300 bones, many of which haven’t yet fused, allowing them to be extremely flexible. This flexibility helps them navigate through the birth canal and adapt to the world outside. As they grow, these bones will fuse, but for now, their flexibility is truly a superpower that we lose as we age.
9. Babies’ Hair and Eye Colour Can Change Drastically:
Did you know that a baby’s hair and eye colour can change drastically in the first few years of life? Many babies are born with blue eyes, but as they grow, their eyes often darken as melanin (the pigment that gives colour) develops. Similarly, babies often shed their fine baby hair, only to grow in new hair that can be completely different in texture or colour. This ability to change hair and eye colour is part of their natural development, which is nothing short of fascinating.
10. Babies Can Triple Their Weight Without Getting Fat: Perhaps the most impressive superpower of all is a baby’s ability to triple their weight in the first year without accumulating excess fat. During the first six months, babies typically gain around 5 to 7 ounces per week, doubling their birth weight by the time they are five months old. By the end of their first year, many babies will have tripled their weight, yet their bodies remain proportionate. It’s a testament to how efficiently babies grow during their early stages of life.
