10 facts about newborns and babies

That your baby is a little miracle, you already knew. In this article, we reveal 10 wonderful abilities of your baby that you probably didn't know about.

1. It doesn't get more bony: babies have more bones than adults

At birth, there are more than 300 bones in a baby's body. Adults, on the other hand, have only 206. Wondering where the approximately 100 bones go by adulthood? It's simple: many bones fuse together. Especially the skull of your newborn is still very flexible because of the so-called since it needs to pass through the narrow birth canal. This is also how the squished little faces are formed. But don't worry: after a short time, the little faces "uncrumple" and the shape of the skull adjusts again.

2. True multitaskers: babies can swallow and breathe at the same time

In the first three months of life, newborns are able to swallow and breathe at the same time. The reason for this is that the larynx is positioned higher than usual after birth. This allows your baby to continue breathing while you are feeding it. After about three months, this ability is lost because the larynx descends. Instead of multitasking, your little explorer can then learn to snore and speak.

3. That is why babies' eyes are often blue after birth

After birth, many cribs are filled with adorable blue eyes looking up at visitors. But we all know: only a few people have blue eyes. So what happens to all those little blue eyes? It is related to melanin production. Melanin is a pigment that influences hair, eye, and skin color. The rule is "the more melanin, the darker the color." The production of this pigment begins to increase only after birth, gradually changing your baby's eye color. If your child still has blue eyes as an adult, it simply means their body has produced little to no melanin.

4. Babies are real powerhouses

Newborns are true marvels of strength: right after birth, they can hold their entire body weight thanks to the grasp reflex. Scientists believe that this ability is related to our kinship with monkeys. Because: baby monkeys have to cling to their mother's fur early on in order to safely swing through the jungle on her back. Your baby, of course, doesn't have to do that — and yet, you're probably delighted when those tiny fingers cling to your index finger, right?

5. Exploring with the mouth

Everything that is not nailed down, the little explorers put in their mouths. But this is not because building blocks, rattles, and the like taste so good, but because their hands and eyes are not yet as sensitive in the first years of life. In their sweet little mouths, however, there are even more taste buds than in us adults. No wonder, then, that your babies put so many objects in their mouths: During the so-called "oral phase," they simply want to test things out. A little tip: are also very suitable for wiping dirty mouths after an oral exploration.

6. Much Ado About Nothing?

Babies really scream loudly In a baby's mouth, not only does some stuff go in, but quite a bit also comes out: When your little explorer is hungry, his diaper is full, or sometimes just because, he makes himself heard loudly. His tiny lungs can reach a volume of up to 120 decibels. That’s equivalent to the pounding of a pneumatic hammer. By the way, at the workplace, employers must provide hearing protection starting at 85 decibels. So dear parents: in an emergency, borrow noise-canceling headphones from a construction worker!

7. The full dose of growth hormones: How quickly newborns grow

No, it's not an illusion: Babies grow incredibly fast, especially in their first year of life. Depending on gender, this can be up to 25 or 30 centimeters. The brain of your little explorer grows even more: it doubles in size within 12 months – because all those new pieces of information need to be processed. If the growth rate did not slow down over time, your baby would be about six meters tall as a 20-year-old! We at LILLYDOO have no influence on your baby's growth rate, but you can simply return outgrown diapers and advance your next delivery with a fitted through your user account. Want to know how, .

8. Babies are true language talents

Even in the womb, your baby listens attentively and recognizes its mother tongue after birth. Newborns who were exposed to a foreign language in a study were more attentive than when hearing their native language. This shows: even before they can speak, your baby is a eager listener. By the way, babies and toddlers – unlike adults – still recognize all 150 sounds that make up the languages of the world. This makes it easier for toddlers to .

9. The ultimate fall-asleep aid: Driving a lap around the block

After just two minutes in a moving car, many babies' eyes start to close. Therefore, a short drive by car is also the best sleep aid for some parents at night when the little bundle of energy again cannot settle down. The secret is the gently purring car engine: it emits a pleasant, monotonous sound that surely also reminds your baby of its time in your womb. There, your heartbeat provided a comforting background noise. By the way, this trick still works for some adults too.

10. Drained: Babies cry initially without tears

It takes about a month before babies start to cry their first "real" tears. This is because the tear ducts are not fully developed after birth. Until then, they cry without tears. But even afterwards, the ducts can sometimes still be a bit too narrow for the tear fluid. That's why the tear duct can become blocked, and the eyes of little explorers may occasionally be sticky. If this happens too often, it's best to ask your midwife or doctor for advice.

Incredible what a little miracle your baby already is at birth. And the best part: it continues to develop and will surprise you again and again in the coming months and years! If you're interested in more amazing facts about your little explorer, subscribe to our and receive regular exciting content tailored to its age.