With village life in our past and the nuclear family in our present, many of us do not have much experience with babies. Even if we grew up with younger siblings or earned cash babysitting, we did not have the same kind of up-close-and-personal relationship a new parent has with their newborn baby. 

Here are 10 fun facts about babies that may surprise you. While some of these newborn realities may come as a shock, there is no need to be alarmed! 

  1. Babies are born with red swollen labia or big-ballooned testicles. Do not worry, this is completely normal! 
  2. Newborn babies are so immature they often have irregular breathing, jitters, and look cross-eyed. Many of these issues subside as infants grow and develop.
  3. The first breast milk that comes out (colostrum) is loaded with antibodies, vitamins, and has as many white blood cells as blood...which is why it is so good for your baby. 
  4. All babies are born with very short necks and tiny chins. It takes a few years for their chins to catch up in size to the rest of the face.
  5. Babies have black tar-like poop (Robin Williams said it looked like a cross between Velcro and toxic waste!). You can learn more about ‘normal’ baby poop here!
  6. Babies often look like little monkeys with furry hair on their ears, shoulders, and foreheads and toes that curl over as if to grab a banana.
  7. On the third day of life, a baby’s urine can turn pink (a sign of low fluid intake).
  8. A baby’s soft spot is well protected with a membrane that is almost as tough as leather.
  9. Babies are like little camels. They are born with an extra pound of food and water in their bodies so they hardly need a drop of milk for the first days of life. 
  10. The umbilical cord does not fall off…it rots off!

Bonus Fun Fact About Babies

If your new baby is fussy, it is most likely because they miss the comforting sensations of the womb. To ease them into our big world, Happiest Baby invented SNOO, the ‘responsive’ smart sleeper, which helps soothe them with the right amount of sound and motion. Learn more.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.