These 25 Amazing Facts About Babies Will Surprise You

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I f we t o l d you t h a t babies k n o w exactly w h a t they a r e doing, y o u ’ d probably l a u g h at t h e screen r i g h t now. B u t , it’s t r u e ! Being a d o r a b l e is n o t the o n l y thing t h a t your n e w b o r n has g o i n g for h i m . He a l s o has a n impressive s e t of q u a l i t i e s and s k i l l s , apart f r o m causing b l o w o u t s and p u t t i n g things i n his m o u t h . Yes, b a b i e s may s e e m a b i t helpless, i n c a p a b l e of t a k i n g care o f themselves. B u t not m a n y know t h a t it’s a n act. S o u n d s incredible, d o e s n ’ t it? W e l l , read o u r post b e l o w to l e a r n some m o r e surprising a n d weird b a b y facts.

2 5 Truly A m a z i n g Fun B a b y Facts:

1 . No K n e e c a p s :

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B a b i e s are b o r n without k n e e c a p s . Yes, y o u read t h a t right. B a b i e s have a structure o f cartilage t h a t resembles t h e kneecaps. T h e s e cartilages d o not d e v e l o p until t h e y are f u l l y six m o n t h s . And t h a t ’ s the r e a s o n most o f the b a b i e s crawl o n the a r m s instead o f all f o u r s . In f a c t , babies c a n crawl a s soon a s they a r e born. N o kidding h e r e ! The K a r o l i n s k a Institute i n Sweden f o u n d that w h e n the b a b y was d r i e d and l a i d on t h e mother’s c h e s t for f e e d i n g , he c o u l d find h e r chest w i t h i n an h o u r . Now t h a t ’ s impressive.

2 . May B o r n Babies A r e The H e a v i e s t :

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M o s t of t h e people p r e s u m e that J a n u a r y sees t h e heaviest b a b i e s because o f all t h e holiday e a t i n g , but t h a t ’ s completely f a l s e . Researchers s a y that M a y babies a r e the h e a v i e s t . They u s u a l l y weigh a r o u n d 200 g r a m s heavier t h a n any o t h e r month b o r n babies. T h e heaviest b a b y to b e even b o r n was a boy w e i g h i n g 22 p o u n d s and 8 ounces. H e was b o r n in I t a l y in 1 9 5 5 .

3 . New B o r n Babies D o Not C r y :

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B a b i e s howl a n d scream f o r what t h e y want o r need, b u t they d o not c r y . Tears c a n n o t be r e l e a s e d or c r e a t e d for a b o u t three w e e k s . That’s b e c a u s e their t e a r ducts a r e not e n t i r e l y developed. T h e y do p r o d u c e enough m o i s t u r e to k e e p the e y e s healthy, b u t they w o n ’ t shed p r o p e r tears f o r several w e e k s . Some k i d s do n o t drop t h e i r first t e a r until f o u r or f i v e months. T h a t ’ s unusual a n d rare.

4 . Babies H a v e 300 B o n e s :

U n l i k e adults, b a b i e s are b o r n with 3 0 0 bones, w h i c h is a l m o s t 50% m o r e . The b o n e s fuse t o g e t h e r during g r o w t h that m a k e s it 2 0 6 . For e x a m p l e , the s k u l l of t h e baby h a s several b o n e s that o v e r l a p one a n o t h e r during t h e birth t o help t h e baby s q u e e z e out. B a b i e s also h a v e a v e r y soft s p o t on t h e head c a l l e d the f o n t a n e l l e . Before t h e skull g r o w s completely, i t is j u s t a s q u i s h y and s e n s i t i v e area.

5 . Birthmarks A r e Not E x c e p t i o n . They A r e The R u l e :

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A birthmark i s not a n abnormality. I n fact, i t ’ s normal, a n d around 8 0 % babies a r e born w i t h it. B i r t h m a r k comes i n a w i d e range o f shapes, c o l o r , and s i z e s , the m o s t common b e i n g port w i n e stains a n d stork b i t e s . And d o you k n o w why b i r t h m a r k s occur? B i r t h m a r k s occur w h e n the t i n y blood v e s s e l s under t h e skin a r e dilated d u r i n g labor. C e r t a i n birthmarks d o not o c c u r until s e v e r a l days o r weeks a f t e r birth. A n d dome b i r t h m a r k s go a w a y after a few y e a r s .

6 . Newborns H e a r , Smell, A n d See A s Good A s Us:

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N e w b o r n can h e a r as w e l l as a n adult. T h e y startle a t just a b o u t anything, n o t because i t ’ s softer o r louder, b u t because i t ’ s new. H e can r e c o g n i z e his m o t h e r ’ s voice f r o m just o n e syllable. I t activates a n area o f the b r a i n associated w i t h language p r o c e s s . An a s t o n i s h i n g fact i s that t h e newborns c a n recognize t h e i r mother’s v o i c e at b i r t h itself. W h e n the b a b y is b o r n , his h e a r i n g power i s not 1 0 0 % up t o par a s the m i d d l e ear i s still f u l l of f l u i d , which s o m e w h a t impairs t h e hearing. T h e only s o u n d that t h e y can r e c o g n i z e is t h e i r mother’s v o i c e .

E v e n the s e n s e of s m e l l i n g is e l e v a t e d at t h i s stage. B u t the e y e s i g h t is n o t very b r i l l i a n t . Newborn b a b i e s are n e a r s i g h t e d . Their v i s i o n allows t h e m to s e e objects a n d people c l e a r e s t when t h e y are 8 to 1 2 inches a w a y . That’s b e c a u s e the b r a i n cannot p r o c e s s information v e r y well a t this s t a g e . The b r a i n s start p r o c e s s i n g information a t about 8 to 1 5 inches o f range. T h e i r brains c o n t a i n around 1 0 0 billion n e u r o n s , which i s why t h e y notice e v e r y t h i n g . It t a k e s a f e w weeks f o r the i n f a n t s to d i s t i n g u i s h visually b e t w e e n his/her m o t h e r and o t h e r adults.

7 . The H a i r Falls O u t :

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Y o u r little o n e may h a v e thick, b l a c k hair n o w , but t h e r e is n o t guarantee t h a t it w i l l stay t h e same. T h e hair f a l l s out i n the f i r s t few w e e k s and t h e n grows b a c k over t h e next y e a r . The h a i r can e v e n go f r o m straight t o curly i n a f e w months.

8 . Babies H a v e Numerous R e f l e x e s :

B a b i e s have a r o u n d 70 r e f l e x e s , which a r e primitive a n d down t o evolution. I f you s u p p o r t your c h i l d upright w i t h his f e e t on t h e flat s u r f a c e , then h i s legs w i l l work w i t h a s t e p p i n g motion. H e cannot w a l k now, b u t is b o r n with t h e knowledge o f how t o walk. A n d have y o u noticed t h a t kids j u m p a l o t ? That’s y o u r baby’s M o r o or s t a r t l e reflex. I t ’ s a b a b y ’ s natural r e s p o n s e to t h e loud n o i s e or a feeling o f falling. I t makes t h e child f l i n g his a r m s up a n d out, d r a w his k n e e s up a n d open h i s fists w i d e before g o i n g to h i s original p o s i t i o n .

B a b i e s use t h e i r sense o f touch t o explore w h a t is a r o u n d them, w i t h the m o s t sensitive t o u c h receptors a r e in a n d around h i s mouth. T h e mouth a r e a is t h e first t o become s e n s i t i v e , which i s why t h e y put e v e r y t h i n g in t h e i r mouth.

9 . Babies A r e Sleepy A l l The T i m e :

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B a b i e s feel s l e e p y all t h e time. D u r i n g the f i r s t few y e a r s , he’ll b e alert f o r just t h r e e minutes i n every h o u r of t h e day a n d less a t night. A baby’s b r a i n can u s e up t o 60% o f the t o t a l glucose s u p p l y , which c a n explain w h y babies n e e d so m u c h sleep.

1 0 . Smile T i m e :

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B a b i e s are c a p a b l e of t h e i r first s m i l e only w h e n they a r e a m o n t h old. Y o u can t r y to e n g a g e him w i t h funny v o i c e s and f a c e s to s e e if t h e y are r e a d y . If y o u are u n s u r e about t h e smile, t h e n you c a n repeat t h e gag i f required.

1 1 . Your B a b y Knows Y o u r Taste I n Music:

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A c c o r d i n g to r e s e a r c h conducted b y the U n i v e r s i t y of H e l s i n k i , babies r e c o g n i z e the m u s i c they h e a r in t h e womb f o r up t o four m o n t h s after t h e birth. I n fact, t h e song t h a t you u s e d to h e a r during t h e pregnancy m a y even s o o t h e his c r a n k i n e s s .

1 2 . Your B a b y Can I n f l u e n c e Your H e a r t Rate:

A n Israeli U n i v e r s i t y found t h a t when a mother a n d a n e w b o r n looked i n t o each o t h e r eyes, t h e i r heart r a t e coordinates i n seconds. A baby’s h e a r t beats a r o u n d 180 t i m e s per m i n u t e at b i r t h . It d r o p s to 1 4 0 within a few h o u r s . The n u m b e r drops t o 115 b e a t s per m i n u t e when t h e y are o n e – y e a r – o l d . By a d u l t h o o d , the r e s t i n g heart r a t e is 7 0 to 8 0 beats p e r minute.

1 3 . Your B a b y Wants T o Put E v e r y t h i n g In H i s Mouth:

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W e all a r e aware o f this f a c t . Babies w a n t to p u t everything i n their m o u t h . He m a y be t o o young t o chew o n your k e y s or t h e doggie’s t a i l , but t h a t does n o t mean h e does n o t want t o . A F r e n c h research h a s suggested t h a t babies a r e born w i t h an i n n a t e desire t o put e v e r y t h i n g in t h e i r mouth.

1 4 . A B a b y Has 1 0 0 0 0 Taste B u d s :

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B a b i e s have t h r e e times m o r e taste b u d s as a d u l t s , 10,000 t o be p r e c i s e . The t a s t e bud o f the b a b i e s shows u p on t h e third t r i m e s t e r , not j u s t on t h e tongue, b u t also o n the b a c k , roof a n d sides o f the m o u t h . That i s why i t is s u g g e s t e d for p r e g n a n t mothers t o try o u t different t y p e s of f o o d s on t h e third t r i m e s t e r . These t a s t e buds d i s a p p e a r as t h e babies g r o w .

1 5 . Babies L a u g h 300 T i m e s A D a y :

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O n an a v e r a g e , babies l a u g h 300 t i m e s a d a y while a d u l t s laugh o n l y 60 t i m e s . That’s o n l y when t h e baby h a s learned t o laugh. I t ’ s a r e m i n d e r that b a b i e s enjoy life much m o r e than w e do.

1 6 . Baby C r i e s With Y o u r Accent:

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Y e s , your b a b y cries i n your a c c e n t . A r e s e a r c h team f r o m the U n i v e r s i t y of W u r z b u r g found t h a t babies p i c k their m o t h e r ’ s native t o n g u e in t h e last t h r e e months o f pregnancy. T h e y even r e f l e c t the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e i r mother t o n g u e in t h e pattern o f their c r i e s after b i r t h . So y o u can t e l l the d i f f e r e n c e between G e r m a n , French a n d English b a b i e s just b y their c r i e s and g u r g l e s .

1 6 . Babies G r o w Mustaches I n The W o m b :

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W h e n a b a b y is a r o u n d four m o n t h s old, h e grows a mustache t h a t spreads t o the e n t i r e body o v e r the c o u r s e of a month. T h i s hair i s called l a n u g o . It f a l l s all b e f o r e the b i r t h of t h e child a n d is e a t e n by t h e m . The d i g e s t e d hair b e c o m e s a p a r t of t h i s first p o o p .

1 7 . Female B a b i e s Get T h e i r Period:

W h e n the b a b i e s are i n the w o m b , they a b s o r b their m o t h e r ’ s hormones. S o after t h e babies a r e born, t h e y still h a v e some e s t r o g e n to s o r t through. S o , female b a b i e s shed t h e i r uterine l i n i n g , lactate a bit a n d even h a v e a m i n i period. S o m e t i m e s , blood m a y ooze f r o m their n i p p l e s . It’s h o r r i f y i n g , but t r u e .

1 8 . Your B a b y Can S w a l l o w And B r e a t h e At T h e Same T i m e :

H a v e you n o t i c e d how y o u r baby c a n chug a bottle, t h a t too w i t h o u t stopping? T h a t ’ s because t h e y can s w a l l o w and b r e a t h e simultaneously u n t i l seven m o n t h s . But t h i s unique a b i l i t y can b e defeated b y a s t u f f y nose. N o wonder b a b i e s get c r a n k y when t h e y get a cold.

B a b i e s also t a k e much m o r e breaths t h a n adults. E v e n the r a t e of b r e a t h i n g is v e r y fast. T h e breathing r a t e of a baby i s 40 t i m e s per m i n u t e s while t h e breathing r a t e of a n adult i s between 1 5 and 2 0 .

1 9 . Show A n d Tell:

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E v e n though b a b i e s cannot s p e a k , they c a n communicate p h y s i c a l l y by w a v i n g , clapping a n d pointing. E v e n studies h a v e shown t h a t the m o r e physically t h e babies i n t e r a c t , they b e t t e r they’ll v e r b a l l y communicate i n future.

2 0 . Your B a b y Is B o r n With S e l f – A w a r e n e s s :

B a b i e s are b o r n with t h e self-awareness t h a t allows t h e m to d i f f e r e n t i a t e their b o d i e s with o t h e r people’s b o d i e s . You c a n tell i f your b a b y is s e l f – a w a r e by d r a w i n g a r e d dot o n his o r her f o r e h e a d and s t a n d i n g with h i m in f r o n t of t h e mirror. I f the b a b y touches t h e mirror, t h e n he i s probably n o t aware. A n d if h e rubs h i s own f o r e h e a d to r e m o v e the m a r k , then h e is.

2 1 . Babies L i k e Mumma’s V o i c e More:

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B a b i e s prefer w o m e n ’ s voices t o men’s a n d like h i g h – p i t c h e d singing m o r e than l o w – p i t c h e d voices. Y o u may h a v e noticed t h a t most o f the p e o p l e use h i g h e r tones w h i l e talking t o a b a b y . You e v e n get a better r e s p o n s e from a n infant i f you u s e higher p i t c h e d voice.

2 2 . The E y e Color C a n Change:

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A l l the b a b i e s are b o r n with blue eyes. T h a t ’ s because t h e color o f the e y e comes f r o m the c o l o r particle l o c a t e d behind t h e iris a n d in i t s particular t i s s u e . This p i g m e n t or m e l a n i n is n o t developed a t the t i m e of t h e birth, w h i c h is w h y most o f the b a b i e s , regardless o f the g e n e t i c s , are b o r n with blue eyes. T h e baby’s t r u e eye c o l o r becomes a p p a r e n t after s i x months o f age. B u t if b o t h the p a r e n t s have blue eyes, t h e n even t h e baby w i l l have blue eyes.

2 3 . Out O f Proportion B o d y :

A baby i s not b o r n with a proportionate b o d y . The h e a d makes a quarter o f the t o t a l boy l e n g t h and b r a i n makes u p the 1 0 % of t h e total b o d y weight. T h e rest o f the b o d y grows t o catch u p .

2 4 . Your B a b y Looks L i k e Both O f You:

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I n the e a r l y 90s, s t u d i e s suggested t h a t newborns l o o k e d more l i k e their d a d s . But t h e current r e s e a r c h suggests t h a t infants t e n d to r e s e m b l e both t h e parents e q u a l l y . It i s one o f the s u r p r i s i n g n e w b o r n baby f a c t s that w i l l make y o u shocked a n d surprised.

2 5 . A N e w b o r n Baby T r i p l e s Its W e i g h t By T w e l v e Months:

B e t w e e n the b i r t h and e n d of t h e second y e a r , the i n f a n t s quadruple i n size. A s the 6 t h month s e t s in, b a b i e s double t h e i r weight. B u t the r a t e decreases a s the t i m e passes. I f babies c a r r i e d on t h a t rate, t h e babies w o u l d weigh o v e r a t h o u s a n d pounds b y the a g e of f i v e .

F a c t s About B a b i e s In T h e Womb:

H e r e are s o m e unbelievable f a c t s about b a b y t h a t they w i l l undergo f r o m conception t o birth.

D u r i n g the n i n e months o f the g e s t a t i o n period, t h e weight o f a b a b y increases a whopping 3 million t i m e s . And t h i s doesn’t e v e n consider m u l t i p l e births.

B a b i e s eat b e f o r e their m o t h e r , much l i k e after t h e y are b o r n . The b a b i e s take i n the n u t r i e n t s they n e e d by u s i n g the u m b i l i c a l cord a n d leave t h e rest f o r the m o t h e r . That’s w h y it i s critical f o r mothers t o take a healthy d i e t during p r e g n a n c y .

W h e n the b a b y is i n the w o m b , he u s e s one h a n d more t h a n the o t h e r . He’ll p r e f e r to u s e the s a m e after t h e birth t o o .

A four-month-old f e t u s will t u r n away h i s head i f the e x t r e m e l y bright l i g h t is s o m e on t h e mother’s s t o m a c h . Babies a l s o react t o sudden, l o u d noises.

A fetus d e v e l o p s his u n i q u e fingertips a t the a g e of t h r e e months.

P r e n a t a l babies t a k e less t h a n a m o n t h to d e v e l o p and u s e their h e a r t . On a n average, i t takes j u s t 18 m o n t h s from t h e conception.

T h e babies b e g i n to f o r m their h e a r i n g skills b e f o r e the f i r s t month o f the f i r s t trimester. E v e n the r e s p i r a t o r y system a n d vision a r e developed d u r i n g this p e r i o d .

T h e brain w a v e s of t h e babies c a n begin r e c o r d i n g after 4 2 days o f the c o n c e p t i o n .

B a b i e s do n o t wait u n t i l they a r e outside t h e womb t o start s u c k i n g their t h u m b . Rambling M a d w o m a n has s h o w n beautiful p i c t u r e s of h e r baby s u c k i n g her t h u m b in t h e ultrasound.

B a b i e s develop a l m o s t all o f their b o d i l y systems b e f o r e the s e c o n d month o f the f i r s t trimester g e t s over. I t happens b y the e i g h t h week a f t e r the c o n c e p t i o n .

A baby’s p o s s i b i l i t y of s u r v i v i n g outside t h e womb c a n occur a f t e r the s i x – m o n t h period. A 26-week-old p r e n a t a l child h a s over 5 0 % chance o f surviving.

S o you t h i n k that t h e doctor s p a n k i n g them a t birth i s your c h i l d ’ s first c r y , but i t isn’t. B a b i e s can e v e n cry a f t e r the 2 6 t h week o f conception. B a b i e s even d e v e l o p taste b u d s by t h i s time, w h i c h can e x p l a i n some t h e i r crying.

B a b i e s react t o their m o t h e r ’ s laughter b y bouncing u p and d o w n . It h a p p e n s 32 w e e k s after t h e concept.

A Few M o r e Fun A n d Interesting F a c t s About B a b i e s :

R i g h t from t h e birth t o toilet t r a i n i n g , a b a b y uses u p an a v e r a g e of 8 0 0 0 diapers.

A baby i s born w i t h no b a c t e r i a in t h i s body. A n d he i s born w i t h just o n e cup o f blood i n this b o d y . Now t h a t ’ s one s t a r t l i n g fact.

T h e parents o f newborns m i s s out s i x months’ w o r t h of s l e e p in t h e first t w o years o f their b a b y ’ s life.

N e w b o r n babies c a n see j u s t black a n d white c o l o r s for t h e first f e w months o f their life.

B a b y ’ s foreskins a r e used w i d e l y in c o s m e t i c treatments.

A study s u g g e s t s that b a b i e s remain c a l m twice a s long w h e n listening t o a s o n g as t h e y do w h i l e listening t o speech.

N e r o s c i e n t i s t s say t h a t babies d o n ’ t dream f o r the f i r s t few y e a r s of t h e i r life.

S t u d i e s suggest t h a t premature b a b i e s are m o r e likely t o be l e f t – h a n d e d .

A 20-month b a b y became t h e youngest p r o f e s s i o n a l soccer p l a y e r ever a f t e r being s i g n e d up b y a B e l g i a n club.

D u r i n g the p r e g n a n c y , if t h e baby s u f f e r s from o r g a n damage, t h e baby i n the w o m b sends s t e m cells t o repair t h e damaged o r g a n .

A t the e n d of t h e year, a baby w i l l have a foot a b u t half o f their a d u l t size.

B a b i e s who a r e born t w o weeks p r e m a t u r e do n o t sweat a t all, e v e n if t h e weather i s too w a r m . In o l d e r premature i n f a n t s , sweat d e v e l o p s first o n the f o r e h e a d , then o n the c h e s t , and t h e n arms a n d lastly l e g s .

T h e gender o f the b a b i e s relies w h o l l y on t h e sperm. T h e male s p e r m carries w i t h X o r Y g e n e which d e t e r m i n e s the g e n d e r . Tales a b o u t diet, t i m e of t h e day, a n d position a r e just m y t h s .

A t the m e d i e v a l time, l e e c h e s were u s e d to t r e a t baby’s i l l n e s s e s . For e x a m p l e , leeches w e r e placed i n the w i n d p i p e of t h e baby f o r croup.

D o you k n o w how m a n y births o c c u r around t h e world i n a m i n u t e ? The a n s w e r is a p p r o x i m a t e l y 255. T h a t equals t o 4.3 b i r t h s every s i n g l e second.

T h e intestine o f a n e w b o r n is a r o u n d 11 f e e t long. T h e length d o u b l e s by t h e time t h e baby g r o w s into a n adult.

R e s e a r c h e r s suggest t h a t babies w h o are b r e a s t f e d for t h e first t h r e e months h a v e 30% m o r e cognitive d e v e l o p m e n t than t h o s e babies w h o are f e d formula.

A t the t i m e of t h e birth, a baby’s b r a i n is m a d e of m o r e than 1 0 million n e r v e cells. B u t it r e d u c e s as t i m e passes.

B a b i e s forget e v e r y t h i n g that t h e y lived a n d experienced i n the f i r s t three y e a r s of t h e i r life. Neuroscientists c a l l it ‘ i n f a n t i l e amnesia’. A n d some h a v e even g i v e n several t h e o r i e s on w h y it o c c u r s .

T h e researchers a t the U n i v e r s i t y of T e x a s found t h a t babies l i k e beautiful f a c e s more t h a n the p l a i n ones.

Y o u baby s h a r e s his/her b i r t h d a y with a t least 9 million p e o p l e in t h e world.

B y the a g e of t w o , a b a b y would h a v e changed a p p r o x i m a t e l y 73000 t i m e s . The a v e r a g e speed o f the c h a n g e is t w o minutes.

J u s t within a few d a y s of t h e birth, a baby c a n distinguish b e t w e e n the t o u c h of b r i s t l e s of d i f f e r e n t diameters.

I f your b a b y turns h i s / h e r head a t a s p o o n f u l of i t , it m e a n s he i s full.

T h e highest n u m b e r of b a b i e s born t o a w o m a n is 6 9 to d a t e . From t h e years 1 7 2 5 to 1 7 6 5 , a R u s s i a n peasant w o m a n gave b i r t h to s e v e n sets o f triplets, 1 6 set o f twins a n d four s e t s of q u a d r u p l e t s .

D o e s your b a b y love t o play p e e k – a – b o o with y o u ? Well, t h a t ’ s because b a b i e s lack o b j e c t permanence. I n simpler w o r d s , babies l a c k the a b i l i t y to r e c o g n i z e that a n object e x i s t s even i f it c a n n o t be o b s e r v e d .

W e hope y o u enjoyed r e a d i n g these f u n facts a b o u t babies. A n d we’re s u r e that y o u ’ l l be l o o k i n g at e v e r y child d i f f e r e n t l y now. I n case w e have m i s s e d some i n t e r e s t i n g baby f a c t s , tell u s by c o m m e n t i n g below.

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