Babies are born with approximately 300 bones. As they grow, some of these bones fuse together, leading to the 206 bones that adults have. This is because babies are born with softer, more flexible bones that are easier to mold during childbirth. These bones will solidify and fuse over time.
Here are some additional points about the bones of babies:
- Fontanelles: The soft spots on a baby's head, known as fontanelles, are areas where the skull bones have not yet fused together. These fontanelles allow the baby's head to compress and mold during childbirth, and they help to protect the baby's brain.
- Cartilage: Many of the bones in a baby's body are made of cartilage, which is a type of flexible connective tissue. Over time, this cartilage is replaced by harder bone tissue.
The number of bones a baby is born with can vary slightly, but it's generally around 300. This number decreases as the baby grows and the bones fuse together.
