What Is The Indescribable Smell Of The Baby Due To? – Being Parents
One of the characteristics of newborns is the incomparable smell they give off. This scent remains constantly in the mother’s brain. Over the years, she remembers it like it was yesterday.
A lot of research has been done to discover the origin of the baby ‘s smell as well as the effects on the mother. In this article, you will find out what it is and why it is an addiction to have a baby so close.
The smell of the baby: an intoxicating sweetness for mothers
Most people who have carried a baby in their arms have seen how pleasant the smell is. Studies indicate that this pleasant feeling is due to nature. For reasons of survival, she is present to form a bond with the mother.
In other words, there are substances in the scent that attract parents to have contact with their child and breastfeed it.
In the case of mothers, the smell of the baby generates a reaction in the brain similar to dopamine or pleasure hormones. This is why proximity with the little one becomes an addiction or an act of pleasure.
As we have already mentioned, it is believed to be one of the natural ways to ensure a bond between mom and child. In addition to other changes in the mother’s brain, the smell stimulates breastfeeding and therefore the survival of the baby.
Why do babies have this characteristic smell?
The question of the baby’s smell has led several specialists to talk about it and compare it with other known smells. Some have compared it with the smell of cookies dipped in milk, a sweet scent that awakens all kinds of sensations.
On the other hand, others have associated it with smells of caramel or vanilla, which enter the brain never to leave. However, science notes that this pleasant smell is due to the following factors:
Vernix caseosa
Vernix caseosa is a whitish substance that covers the skin of a baby at birth. Its oily appearance helps hydrate the skin from the moment it begins to appear during pregnancy, during week 20.
According to researchers, this creamy, sebaceous layer helps regulate temperature. It is a substance rich in vitamin E which protects the baby during the first weeks of his life.
Thanks to the functions of this substance on the skin, it is advisable not to completely eliminate it when bathing. This ensures better absorption and utilization of nutrients.
Vernix caseosa is mainly composed of protein, water and fat. They help preserve the unbelievable smell of the baby. It is in greater quantity on the head, during the first months after birth.
“In the baby’s scent, there are substances that attract parents to have contact with their child and breastfeed”
Amniotic fluid
It is believed that amniotic fluid also plays an important role in the baby’s smell at birth. This colorless and odorless substance consists of carbohydrates, proteins and nutrients. They take care of protecting the baby when it is in the womb.
When vernix caseosa mixes with the remains of amniotic fluid, it generates an indescribable odor on the skin. Indeed, this is what helps to form the bond with the mother.
Inactivity of sweat glands
An additional factor attributed to the baby’s smell is the fact that the thermoregulation of the temperature has not been fully developed. For this reason, newborns hardly sweat.
When sweat dries, it can lead to certain bacteria that cause bad odors. If the baby’s skin is clean, it will not emit any bad odor.
Over the months, the baby may start to sweat, making physical efforts such as crying intensely. However, if he sweats too much while eating, for example, even if you take off his clothes, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately.
In short, the smell of the baby at birth is a combination of the amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa present in the skin that help care for the baby.
The goal is to penetrate the mother’s brain and strengthen a bond with her parents thus ensuring the survival of the newborn. It is, without a doubt, one of those gifts of nature that amazes us.
