Though an adult is sometimes
also referred to as a ‘baby’, but that is
mildly sexual in nature, and so let us keep that side
of it beyond the scope of this article. Let us instead
concentrate on the ‘young one’s’,
the minors of our society and call them as babies. Babies
are referred to by many names such an ‘infant’,
‘new born’ or a ‘toddler’.
Human babies are born when the female becomes pregnant
after the male sperm has successfully fertilized the
female egg. Then after slightly more than 9 months,
the baby is delivered either normally or through a
surgery. Babies when they are born usually come out
crying from the womb and are connected with the umbilical
cord to the mother. The head is bigger than the body
in proportion – the legs and the arms are also
short in proportion. The average weight varies, but
usually it is between 3 kgs to 3.5 kgs. But many babies
are born prematured (before the 38 weeks of pregnancy
are up) and also weigh below 3 kgs. In many cases,
if this is the first pregnancy for the mother, then
the baby may be born prematured.
Some babies have body hair (and sometimes the hair
is extensive). This hair is referred to as lanugo.
Baby hair is seen on the scalp, shoulders, the back
and also on the face and the ears.
Newborn babies need special attention. And if it
is a prematured baby, then the attention given has
to be even more. Though the newborn baby is going
to sleep anything between 16 to 18 hours a day, but
even then it calls for special care. There are issues
that need to be answered such as where the baby is
going to sleep, what he is going to eat, what he will
wear and so on. Then of course there is the issue
of naming the baby and organizing a baby shower.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,
breastfeeding is best for babies. So even with the
huge number of baby foods that are available in the
market today, mothers should never refrain from breastfeeding
their babies, at least not till they have started
to walk and talk.
Naming babies is a wonderful activity with the entire
family chipping in with their suggestions. But sadly,
the poor baby has nothing to offer (though it is his
name that is being discussed), and sometimes when
he grows up, he doesn’t even like the name.
But that is how it has been for ages.
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