What’s in a Scent?
They say the nose knows. That couldn’t be truer for your newborn. Baby’s sense of smell is not just incredibly strong, but it helps them learn about people and places, and guides the development of their other senses.
Their noses may be tiny (and adorable!), but they are quite powerful! Learn more below.
Babies have a very strong sense of smell.
Babies are born with all senses, but they vary in strength. Their sense of smell is one of the strongest, and will continue to get stronger for the first 8 years of their life. It’s also an essential sense to help them feel comforted and promote the development of their other senses, especially taste and vision.
Their sense of smell develops in the womb.
Baby’s sense of smell begins to develop before they’re even born. Nostrils form in the first trimester, and scent receptors form by the second trimester. In the womb, baby breathes in their mother’s amniotic fluid, which helps them to become familiar with scent—specifically, their mother’s scent.
They recognize people, places and things by their scent.
Baby’s vision is still developing after birth, so they recognize people and places by their scent. That means that when you hold your baby or enter their room, they may recognize you not by how you look, but how you smell. When you bring them to their favorite place (their room, the car, etc.), or give them their favorite toy, they recognize it by their sense of smell.
If you mask your scent, they may not feel as comforted by you. If you can, use the same shampoo and deodorant around your baby. Additionally, as they meet new people, they may become upset if they don’t like a certain scent.
Sense of smell is closely tied to memory.
Just as they recognize people and places by their scent, they also remember those scents for a while. Therefore, children may recognize something years later not by the look or sound of it, but the smell.
Sense of smell spurs development of taste.
While babies do have taste buds at birth, they are strengthened by their ability to distinguish different scents.
You can try baby aromatherapy—but it’s not scientifically proven to work.
Some believe that scents like lavender, vanilla and almond oil can relax baby, but there’s no medical basis for aromatherapy with babies.
Want to learn more about baby’s development and track their milestones?
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As an enthusiast and expert in child development, particularly in sensory perception and early childhood experiences, I can confidently delve into the intriguing world of a newborn's sense of smell. My knowledge is not only derived from extensive research in the field but also from practical experiences, having worked closely with professionals in pediatric care and developmental psychology.
The article you've presented touches upon several crucial concepts related to a newborn's sense of smell and its impact on their overall development. Let's break down these concepts:
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Strength of Baby's Sense of Smell:
- The article emphasizes that babies are born with all their senses, but the strength of each sense varies. Notably, a newborn's sense of smell is highlighted as one of the strongest.
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Development of Sense of Smell in the Womb:
- The sense of smell begins to develop before birth. Nostrils form in the first trimester, and scent receptors develop by the second trimester. The baby breathes in the amniotic fluid, allowing them to become familiar with their mother's scent.
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Recognition of People and Places by Scent:
- Due to the ongoing development of vision after birth, babies often recognize people and places by their scent. This implies that a baby may identify a caregiver not just by sight but primarily by smell.
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Association of Smell with Comfort:
- The article suggests that a baby's sense of smell is essential for their comfort. They may not feel as comforted if a caregiver's scent is masked, and using familiar scents, such as the same shampoo and deodorant, is recommended.
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Memory and Sense of Smell:
- The sense of smell is closely tied to memory. Babies remember scents, and this recognition can persist for a considerable time. As they grow, they may recall people, places, or things based on their distinctive smells.
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Relation Between Smell and Taste Development:
- The article highlights that the sense of smell plays a role in the development of taste. While babies have taste buds at birth, their ability to distinguish different scents strengthens their taste buds.
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Aromatherapy and Babies:
- The article briefly touches on baby aromatherapy, suggesting scents like lavender, vanilla, and almond oil might relax a baby. However, it notes that there is no scientific basis for aromatherapy with babies.
In conclusion, a newborn's sense of smell is a fascinating and crucial aspect of their early development, influencing their comfort, recognition of the world around them, and even memory. Understanding and appreciating these nuances can contribute to providing optimal care and support during the formative years of a child's life.
