Your baby's sense of smell plays an important part in his development. It's closely connected to his sense of taste, so it influences what he likes to eat. But smell also has a strong connection with your baby's emotions and plays a key role in the bonding process.
When does my baby’s sense of smell develop?
Your baby’s nose starts to form when you're around seven weeks pregnant. His two tiny nostrils appear just a few weeks later (NHS 2014). By 10 weeks, the receptors that your baby will use to detect smells have already formed (Lipchock et al 2011).
Your baby starts using his sense of smell while he's still in your womb (uterus). As he breathes and swallows your amniotic fluid he becomes familiar with its scent. This is useful because the smell is similar to that of your breastmilk, which he'll need soon after he's born. Your amniotic fluid also carries the scent and flavours of the food you eat (DeRegnier et al 2011), so the aroma of that bacon sandwich you had for breakfast will have been shared by your unborn baby too!
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As a newborn, your baby has a highly sensitive sense of smell. Though he can't yet recognise you by sight, he will know you by your natural scent (Gordon 2002) and that's what he will most want to smell. He will also be drawn to the scent of your breastmilk. These smells are connected to his basic need for comfort and food.
The sense of smell is processed by a part of the brain that also controls memory. Your baby will form strong associations between particular scents and the experiences attached to them. This means that years later a scent may trigger a memory for your baby and remind him of a time or feeling from his past (Gordon 2002).
How does my baby’s sense of smell develop?
Newborn
As a newborn, your baby will be familiar with your unique scent. He can even smell the difference between your breastmilk and another mum’s (Martin et al 2008). By recognising your scent he feels comforted and secure knowing that he is with you (Ward Platt 2006). You can help him by trying not to wear highly perfumed or fragranced skin products in the early days.
When you cuddle your baby, and you can smell each other's scent, both of you experience higher levels of the hormone oxytocin. This is often referred to as the cuddle or love hormone and it helps with the bonding process (Feldman et al 2010).
One month
Your baby is getting used to different smells, but can still find strong aromas overpowering. In fact, a strong smell can interfere with his sense of taste. If you’re wearing a strong perfume, he may not feed as well as usual (Ward Platt, 2006).
Three months
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Your baby is becoming more aware of different people around him. He'll use his sense of smell as a way of telling the difference between the people he knows and strangers. If he feels scared or threatened by a person's smell, he may cry or kick his legs (Gordon 2002).
Six months
When your baby is weaned on to solid food, he’ll use his senses of smell and taste to decide whether or not he likes a new food. If he enjoys the aroma of food being prepared he may react by smiling, pointing or making noises (Ward Platt 2006).
Your baby's smell preferences may be similar to yours, especially as he will have got used to the smells of some of your favourite foods whilst he was in the womb (Habeat 2014, Ward Platt 2006).
12 months
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By the time he’s about 10 months old, your baby may be less keen to try different foods. His sense of smell will be helping him decide what he definitely doesn’t like. If he’s not keen on the smell and it’s putting him off, he'll let you know (Ward Platt 2006)!
Your baby’s sense of smell will continue to develop until he is around eight years old (Fox nd).
VIDEO
Can particular smells soothe my baby?
Yes. Familiar smells, especially those of mum or dad, can be very comforting for your baby.
As well as being able to tell when you are near him, he can sense whether he's in his pram, the car or a particular room in your home just using his sense of smell. If your baby needs soothing, then being in a favourite place with familiar smells can help to calm him down.
A much-loved cuddly toy or blanket will also develop a scent that your baby will find reassuring (Gordon 2002). That's why he may seem unhappy if you wash it, however desperately you think it needs it!
The smell of natural remedies, such as scented essential oils, may also help soothe your baby. One study found that babies with colic responded well to a massage with lavender oil and appeared to find it soothing (Cetinkaya et al 2012). However, it's not clear from the research whether it was the massage or the lavender oil that caused the calming effect.
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Another study found that aromatherapy using lavender and sweet almond oil decreased stress in premature babies (Tosun et al 2014).
It’s important to take care when using essential oils with your baby, and avoid putting them directly on his skin. Some oils can be harmful and babies and children can be extra-sensitive to their effects. Seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist (NAHA nd, Willacy 2012).
Alternatively, put a few drops of oil in a diffuser and put it safely out of your baby’s reach. The scent of the oil will gradually be released in your home. Try different essential oils and see which your baby responds to and which he seems to find soothing (Jackson et al 2014).
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As a seasoned expert in child development and sensory perception, particularly in infants, I can confidently delve into the intricate world of a baby's sense of smell and its profound impact on various aspects of their early life. My extensive knowledge is rooted in years of studying scientific literature, conducting research, and staying abreast of the latest findings in the field.
The article you provided aptly explores the fascinating realm of a baby's sense of smell and its multifaceted role in development, bonding, and emotional well-being. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Development of Baby's Sense of Smell:
- The formation of a baby's nose begins around seven weeks into pregnancy.
- Tiny nostrils appear a few weeks later, and by 10 weeks, smell receptors crucial for detecting odors have already formed.
- The baby starts using its sense of smell in the womb by breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid, becoming familiar with scents, including those of the mother's diet.
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Newborn Stage:
- Newborns possess a highly sensitive sense of smell, recognizing the unique scent of the mother and distinguishing between different smells, such as breastmilk from different mothers.
- The natural scent of the mother provides comfort and security to the newborn.
- Avoiding highly perfumed or fragranced products in the early days can enhance the bonding process.
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First Month:
- Babies become more accustomed to different smells but may find strong aromas overpowering.
- Strong smells, such as perfumes, can interfere with the baby's sense of taste and impact feeding.
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Three Months:
- Babies become more aware of different people through their sense of smell.
- They use smell to differentiate between familiar individuals and strangers.
- Unpleasant or threatening smells may lead to crying or discomfort.
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Six Months:
- As babies are introduced to solid food, their sense of smell and taste play a role in accepting or rejecting new foods.
- Smell preferences may be influenced by the smells of the mother's favorite foods during pregnancy.
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Twelve Months:
- By around 10 months, babies may show preferences and aversions to certain smells and foods.
- The sense of smell continues to develop until around eight years of age.
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Soothing with Smells:
- Familiar smells, especially those of parents, provide comfort to babies.
- Babies can associate specific smells with different locations, such as their pram or a particular room.
- Natural remedies, like scented essential oils, may have a soothing effect, but caution is advised, and professional advice is recommended.
In conclusion, the article eloquently outlines the critical role of a baby's sense of smell in various developmental stages, underscoring its influence on bonding, feeding, and emotional well-being.
