6 facts about babies that amaze the imagination

1. Babies produce milk

Everyone knows that newborns drink milk. But not everyone knows that they can also allocate it - however, in small quantities. And this happens not only with girls, but also with boysA Male Infant with Gynecomastia‑Galactorrhea / The Journal of Pediatrics!

This is called'Witch's Milk': Galactorrhea in the Newborn / JAMA Pediatrics neonatal galactorrhea. The allocation of a small amount of milk from the nipples occurs in about 5% of babies of both sexes. This phenomenon is unusual, but quite not dangerousA Male Infant with Gynecomastia‑Galactorrhea / The Journal of Pediatrics. However, if it does not go away on its own after two months of age, it is worth taking the baby to the pediatrician.

It is believed that children begin to excrete milk due to the fact that too much estrogen, the female sex hormone, enters their body from the mother. This happens while the baby is in the womb. However, the hormone can also be transmitted after birth, during breastfeeding.

2. Newborn girls have periods

Estrogen absorbed from the mother's body can lead not only to galactorrhea, but also to other unexpected effects. Usually menstruation begins when a girl reaches puberty at 12–15 years of age.

But sometimes like this happensM. G. Vogiatzi. Menstrual Bleeding as a Manifestation of Mini‑Puberty of Infancy in Severe Prematurity / The Journal of Pediatrics and with female newborns at the age of 3-4 days, and sometimes even a few months. This, however, is a rare occurrence. It occurs in about 5% of girls.

Maternal estrogen, accumulated in the body of the child, leads to the formation of the lining of the uterus. Then a drop in the level of the hormone causes its rejection. The result is blood in the diaper.

Imagine the horror of parents who do not understand what is happening and are forced to take their daughter to the hospital. However, this phenomenon safelyCare for Baby Girl's Genitals, Causes of Bleeding / WebMD.com and doesn't last long. Once the mother's estrogen in the baby's body runs out, "menstruation" will stop.

3. Babies have two sets of teeth

Outwardly, children seem cute, especially when they behave calmly. But behind this deceptive appearance lies the true horror.

The fact is that all people first erupt milk teeth, and only then, during the period of growing up, they fall out and are replaced by permanent ones. Many people naively believe that molars grow in children gradually, but this is not at all the case.

Both sets of teeth begin to form aboutM. G. weight gain. human anatomy at the seventh week of the life of the embryo and by the time of the birth of the child are already in his skull in special pocketsDental care: children’s teeth 5‑8 years / Raising Children Network inside the jaw. It looks like it.

Look at radiographs taken of young children and you will be horrified. Even the cutest baby on them will resemble a cross between an Alien, a Predator and a large white shark.

So the next time you see a child's smile, remember that it is full of hidden teeth.

4. Babies are covered in hair and molt right in the womb

We usually think of babies as cuddly, pink and smooth creatures. But in fact, while the babies are inside the mother's womb, they are covered with unpleasant fluffy hair all over the surface of the body. This vegetation is called lanugo, a term derived from the Latin lana, meaning "wool".

LanugoWhat do you need to know about babies born with hair / Today`s Parent necessary to keep the raw primordial lubricant on the child's body. And she, in turn, protects the skin of the fetus from the amniotic fluid in which it swims, and contributes to thermoregulation.

Usually around the thirty-sixth week of pregnancy, the baby in the womb resetsKeith L. Moore, T. v. N. Persaud, Mark G. Torchia. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology lanugo. Then it dissolves into the amniotic fluid, which the child constantly swallows. Yes, you understood everything correctly - the baby sheds, and then absorbsWhat Is Lanugo? /verywellfamily.com own hair. Bon appetit.

However, in about 30% of children, lanugo preservedEmbryology, Lanugo / StatPearls longer than usual, and molting occurs after childbirth.

5. Babies urinate into their mother's womb and then drink from there

By the way, about the amniotic fluid surrounding the child. It is necessary for the normal development of the fetus.

The substance contains nutrients that the baby absorbs - in early pregnancy this happens right through the skin. In addition, it protects the child from infections and shaking.

At first, until the child's metabolism is working properly, the amniotic fluid composedW. J. Larsen. Human Embryology mainly from the mother's blood plasma - this is water with electrolytes, as well as proteins, fats, glucose and vitamins.

But when the fetus has formed a bladder and excretory system, it will also begin bring inAmniotic fluid: not just fetal urine anymore / Nature his contribution. And around the 16th week, the amniotic fluid is generously diluted urine.

But these are just flowers. About five weeks later, the fetus acquiresW. J. Larsen. Human Embryology ability to swallow and begins to drink amniotic fluid.

6. Babies begin to taste and smell even before they are born.

In addition to the previous point, it is worth mentioning that the baby acquires the ability to taste even in the womb. This occurs at the thirtieth week of pregnancy.

The fetus (and newborn) has taste buds locatedTaste development and prenatal prevention / PubMed not only on the tongue, but also on the inner surface of the cheeks, palate and throat, right up to the tonsils. With age they will disappearFetal development: Your baby's sense of taste / BabyCenter, but in the first years of life continue to function. Therefore, young children taste better than adults.

So the baby also feels the taste of amniotic fluid in the womb. But you should not worry about the baby: he is fine, because he not able to1. Flavor Perception in Human Infants: Development and Functional Significance / PMC, 2. Infants' and Children's Salt Taste Perception and Liking: A Review / PMC feel bitter and salty. But sweet and sour - easily.

InstalledInfluence of maternal diet on flavor transfer to amniotic fluid and breast milk and children’s responses: a systematic review / PubMedthat the taste of amniotic fluid may depend on the mother's diet. For example, anise, cumin, carrots, eucalyptus, garlic and mint. And the newborn, when he stops drinking milk, will give preferenceBumpology: What does an amniotic cocktail taste like? / New Scientist the tastes to which he was accustomed while he was inside.