Having a newborn comes with many unique and fascinating experiences. From physical features to early reflexes and habits, understanding your baby’s early life can help you care for them better. According to Raising Children, here are some intriguing facts about newborns.
1. Cone-Shaped Head and Changing Skin Color
Newborns often have a cone-shaped head that gradually rounds out in the first few days. Their skin color also changes: initially dark red, then pink, with hands and feet sometimes appearing blue. Their movements are often uncoordinated, and they are born with basic reflexes such as sucking, swallowing, and breathing.
2. Sleeping Up to 20 Hours a Day
In the first few days, newborns can sleep up to 20 hours a day, in periods ranging from 20 minutes to 4 hours.
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Ensure the baby’s room has a moderate temperature and good ventilation.
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Place the baby on their back while sleeping to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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Short pauses in breathing (periodic breathing) are normal and usually harmless.
3. Black Stool at First
Newborns urinate within the first 24 hours and pass stool within 48 hours. The first stool is usually very dark (almost black), then transitions to green and finally yellow around day five. If stool color does not change, consult your pediatrician to ensure the baby is feeding adequately.
4. Moro Reflex
Newborns have a natural startle reflex called the Moro reflex. When startled by a loud noise or sudden movement, they extend their arms and legs. This reflex typically disappears around 3–4 months and serves as a protective mechanism, signaling the need for comfort.
5. Knee Caps Are Cartilage
Newborns are born with kneecaps made of soft cartilage, not solid bone. Over time, this cartilage gradually ossifies and becomes solid, usually completing development around six months.
6. Exploration Through the Mouth
Newborns have highly sensitive touch receptors in and around their mouths. They explore objects by putting them in their mouths, which also helps develop motor skills. Their tonsils contain taste sensors, enabling early taste perception.
7. Fine Hair (Lanugo)
Some newborns have fine, soft hair on their body called lanugo, which develops in the womb and protects the skin. It usually falls off before or shortly after birth, especially in full-term babies. Premature babies may have more visible lanugo.
8. Learning Language in the Womb
Babies can hear their mother’s voice and nearby sounds from around the 23rd week of pregnancy. Early exposure to speech and reading helps develop language skills. Newborns often recognize and are calmed by their mother’s voice and scent.
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