Babies Begin To Learn & Smell In Utero

Before babies are born, they spend their time while they are developing learning about the world they will be becoming a part of in several short months. So much of their learning comes from what they observe with all of their senses. Senses such as taste, smell, and hearing sounds that many parents likely did not know were so acute at such a delicate time for little ones. And it is because of these senses that babies are not completely afraid when they are born. Much of this starts with how babies begin to learn and smell in utero.

Shortly after conception, the baby’s brain begins to form. It continues to do so throughout pregnancy, according to VeryWell Family, carries on with development well into the teenage years, and beyond. But during the time in the womb is when the structure and many connections are formed. It is a result of this that babies are able to learn through the use of their senses. Making memories and retaining some of what is learned later on during the time in the womb to take with them once the journey of pregnancy is over and infancy begins.

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Here is how babies begin to learn and smell in utero.

Learning Begins While Baby Is In Utero

While in utero, babies will learn much about the world around them from their senses, according to BabyCentre. As a result, there is quite a bit that babies not only absorb before birth but retain after they make their way into the world as well.

Around 23 weeks of age, babies will begin to be able to hear what is happening in and around the womb, per the publication. This helps them to understand via sound what happens not only in their small, safe world in utero but in the world at large as well.

During this same time, other senses such as the sense of taste are being developed via swallowing the amniotic fluid, according to BabyCentre. It would not be possible without the sense of smell, one of the most developed of all the senses when babies are born.

Signs Baby Learns Before Birth

It can be hard to wrap the brain around the fact that babies are learning before they are born. But, by using all of their senses, loads of information are being processed. And as a result of this, babies are born with a knowledge of the world they have never personally experienced.

According to BabySparks, at the time they are born, babies have used their senses to gather quite a bit of knowledge. The knowledge that they have gathered includes:

• Ability to recognize native language
• Learn the sound of their mother’s voice
• Developed flavor preferences
• How to handle stress based on their mother’s mental state
• Know their mother by scent

Armed with this information, babies come into the world knowing quite a bit more than they are given credit for. Meaning that while they may have so much more about life, in general, to learn many of the important basics are learned in utero.

Sense Of Smell Is Developed Early

Of all the senses that could potentially be powerfully developed at the time of birth, the most powerful is the sense of smell. Something that may not make sense unless it is understood why the sense is so strong.

According to Parents, while babies can locate who their mothers are by the sounds of their voices, it is through their sense of smell that little ones are able to identify who their mothers are as well. This is important because just after birth, babies’ vision is not the best. As such, they cannot identify who their mothers are by looking at them.

But, when babies are placed in their mothers’ arms, they are able to immediately know if the person holding them is their mother or not. Something that will serve to exacerbate upset babies or calm them nearly immediately after they are held.

Source: VeryWell Family, BabyCentre, Parents, BabySparks