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Know about sense of smell in infants, smelling
sense in babies and baby's nose and its use.
Sense of Smell in Infants
Smell is the most advanced, out of the five senses,
present in babies at the time of birth. Unlike eyesight, hearing or
touch that requires some time, the sense of smell is developed, right at
the time when infants are in the womb. Surprised!! Studies have shown
that right from the time when babies are in the womb, they smell the
amniotic fluid, which is apparently rich with smells. It is said that
infants during the first week, primarily differentiate between two
things and people, using their sense of smell. They pick up on the new
odors and associate these smells to certain things or people. Babies use
their sense of smell mostly to stay close to their mother. To know more
about how does a baby use his/her smelling sense, read through the
following lines.
Smelling Sense In A Baby
- This might come to you as a surprise but the sense of smell in a
baby develops in the womb itself. Studies have shown that babies can
smell their mother's amniotic fluid and tell the difference between
it and other smells.
- Using their sense of smell, babies can differentiate between
their mother's breast milk from that of other mothers. A 3 or 4 day
old infant recognizes the smell of his/her mother's breast milk.
Just the smell of it makes them happy and contended.
- The sweet scent of lavender or aroma of a cake being baked
actually makes a child happier.
- Infants are seen to smile at the odors, which are similar to
bananas and vanilla. However, they frown after smelling rotten eggs
and fish.
- Studies show that infants select and play with a vanilla scented
toy more frequently, than with toys that are ethanol-scented or
unscented.
- Infants prefer the smell of a lactating woman over a
non-lactating woman. However, when it comes to two lactating women,
they prefer their mother's smell over the other women.
- It is seen that babies identify mom's smell, right from the birth
and finds more comfort, when this smell is near the baby, rather
than the smell of someone else.
- As sense of smell develops in a baby, he/she can associate good
smells and aromas with good feelings. Soft fragrance can soothe and
delight the baby.
- An infant's sense of smell develops as he/she grow bigger. He/she
can distinguish different smells easily. By the age of one, most
babies can recognize the smells of other adults and children. They
are also able to differentiate the smells of different foods
- When the infant gets old enough, he/she start using the senses of
sight and hearing more that the sense of smell to differentiate
things and people.
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