16 Random Baby Facts You Probably Didn't Know

At the start, it may seem a bit scary to look after a newborn baby.

Actually, it doesn't seem scary - it is!

But, it can certainly help if you understand some of the physical things about babies so here are some really random facts that might just interest you and distract you from the fact that you're more scared than you've ever been in your life.

 Babies do things automatically with their bodies. They suck things that are put in their mouth, they hold on tight to things in their hand and if they are upset they fling their arms out and throw their heads back.

1. Babies’ heads can sometimes be uneven in shape after birth or because of the way they sleep. Don’t worry about this – it will go away as your baby grows.

2. The ‘soft spot’ (fontanelle) on top of a baby’s head is there so the baby fits through the birth passage more easily. This spot will close over in the baby’s first year or so. The skin over the soft spot is strong and you can’t hurt your baby by gently washing or brushing his head. Sometimes the fontanelle swells when the baby is crying and goes flat when the crying stops.

3. Cradle cap is crusty scales on the head. Rub it with olive oil or petroleum jelly to soften it one evening and wash it off the next day. Gently lift off the scales with a fine-toothed comb or fingernail. See your doctor if it does not get better within a week. You can also try this from our friends at Hugs for Kids.

4. Some babies have sticky eyes due to a blocked tear duct. Ask your doctor how to manage this.

5. Some babies have little white lumps like tiny pearls in their mouth, especially on the gums. These are normal and go away when the baby grows.

6. Some babies spit up a little milk after feeds. If they are growing well and happy this is nothing to worry about. If your baby is bringing up milk in big spurts much of the time, see your doctor. If your baby is not putting on weight or is miserable a lot of the time, talk to your doctor or child health nurse.

7. Lots of babies have hiccups after feeds. Not much you can do about it - like your own.

8. Babies are often born with puffy genitals and breasts (sometimes even ‘milk’ comes from the breasts). This is from the mother’s hormones and it won’t last long but it will freak your husband out.

9. Most babies have spots on their faces and often on parts of the body in the first few weeks, which is a reaction to their skin being exposed to air rather than fluid in the womb. Sometimes the spots come when the baby gets hot or has been lying on their side. If they go away within an hour or so they are probably this kind of spot. It’s not acne and does not need any treatment.

10. Very young breastfed babies do several ‘poos’ a day. Even if baby seems to be pushing hard, the poo is usually very soft. After a few weeks baby may only have a poo every few days and it will still be soft.

11. Bottle fed babies might have firmer poos.

12. All poo is gross but learn to love milk poos because when they start on solids...

13. Babies sometimes get a lump underneath their belly button. It may swell if the baby is crying. This is a small gap in the ‘tummy’ muscle and nearly always goes away over time. It usually does not cause health problems or need treatment.

14. Babies usually start to get teeth at about six months and usually have all their baby teeth by the time they are three years old. Look after your baby’s teeth by brushing them gently (try this) and don’t give them bottles of juice or milk at bedtime. The sugars in these drinks stay in the mouth and can cause decay.

15. Some babies don’t have any teeth until they are one year old. Occasionally a baby is born with a tooth. Say a prayer for their mum if she's breastfeeding.

Look, it's scary but don't drop them and you'll be fine. We'll get through this together.