Babies are full of surprises from the very beginning! According to the CDC, over 3.6 million births were recorded in the U.S. in 2024. While the overall fertility rate slightly declined to 53.8 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, an interesting trend emerged—births among women aged 40 to 44 reached record-breaking levels. Globally, however, nearly 2.3 million infants tragically pass away within their first month of life, highlighting the critical importance of understanding and cherishing those early days.
Due to the fast breakthrough in medicine, even a baby born prematurely at the age of 22 weeks in the year 2025 has a chance of surviving after all. Scientists have also discovered that toddlers laugh 300 times per day —five times as much as adults. They greet the world with nearly 50% more bones than adults, start with no tears, and can recognize their mom’s music right from the womb.
Babies start with 300 bones (but no kneecaps)
Amazingly, when your baby is born, they have about 300 bones. These gradually merge over time, leaving adults with 206. This is illustrated excellently by the skull of your baby, as the skull grows and fuses as the brain in your baby develops. You needn’t start after their kneecaps either; they are of cartilage at birth and won’t set until they are six months old or so. Science is wild.
Most babies have a built-in birthmark
Approximately 80 percent of infants are born with at least one birthmark. Stork bites, also known as neck-to-forehead spots, are areas that appear on the skin due to the tiny blood vessels working during labor. The good news? Most birthmarks fade over time. They’re like nature’s little signature on your baby.
No tears (at first)
Ever pay attention to the fact that a baby is blubbering with no streaming tears? Yep, their tear ducts are still playing catch-up. They may have a watery look in their eyes, but the real tears are only brought out when they become three weeks old. It is one of those peculiar things that make babies uniquely enjoyable.
That baby hair? It’s temporary
Do you think that brilliant pile of hair your child was born with will last forever? Think again. Babies born with hair tend to lose it in a few weeks. But what’s more intriguing is that their new hair may frequently re-grow in a completely different color or nature. Golden baby hair turning jet black? Normal.
Even baby girls can have a weird hormonal phase
Here’s a head-scratcher for new parents of baby girls. Sometimes you can observe a mini period or a bit of blood in their diaper. This is because the little ones inherit some of the hormones in the womb, which are not harmful at all, as they are acquired from the mother. Yep, human biology is full of surprises.
Reflexes galore
Ever seen a baby startle themselves awake? Or like they are preparing for the 100-meter race by kicking their legs? Newborns possess primitive reflexes that enable them to adapt to the new, big world. My personal favorite? The stepping reflex, in which the legs of the baby imitate walking when held in an upright position.
They’re sleep machines
Or am I the only one who thinks that newborns sleep through ALL their time? Funny (and actual) fact: in the first couple of weeks, babies spend only two to three minutes awake at a time between nap times. Their minds and bodies are growing so fast that it is virtually their full-time job to sleep.
Babies recognize music from the womb
Got a favorite playlist? Discover how well you can play it during pregnancy, and you might have your tiny bundle jamming along to it right after giving birth. Infants begin to hear sounds after only 4 months in the womb, and familiar melodies can be quite calming to them. It is time to create a playlist, Baby, Chill Vibes.
They’re taste bud powerhouses
Imagine having three times the number of taste buds you have as an adult—that’s the world of babies! Their tiny mouths are filled with taste receptors, not just on their tongues but even on their cheeks. And here’s an intriguing fact: what you eat during pregnancy can influence how your baby perceives flavors when it’s time to start solid foods. Consider it an early introduction to the art of being a foodie!
Laughs? Oh, they’ve got you beat
Does it ever occur to you that babies are smiling and giggling the whole day? Well, you are spot on! Babies can laugh 300 times a day, whereas an adult gets to laugh only 60 times. It is time we all learned a lesson or two and became more like babies, giving ourselves opportunities to laugh out loud.
Swallowing and breathing? Double duty done right
Babies have a superpower adults lost long ago. Up to about seven months of life, babies can continue breathing and swallowing at the same time. This clever trick makes nursing and bottle-feeding a breeze. It’s like they arrive with a built-in life hack.
These small bodies are designed to be effective, showcasing the potential for interesting human development. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear adults doing the same thing? Could we save a fortune in breakfast time that way?
Big heads, considerable potential
Have you ever looked at a baby and thought they have something on their head that makes them a little big? That’s because it is! By the time a baby is born, his head takes up 25 percent of the total size of his body. In the meantime, the brain alone occupies an unbelievable 10 percent of the body’s weight, preconditioning its amazing mental development.
Key takeaway
Babies are not merely small, cute pink people, or even walking (because they soon learn to walk), biological miracles. They are born with one more bone, some more taste buds, and lots more giggles than most adults ever dare to dream of.
These facts are not only interesting, but they also remind us of the marvelous nature of early life. Every point is meant to emphasize the way their small bodies and minds are constructed in such a way that they can grow, adapt, and flourish. Wild, right?
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
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