A baby is born with about 300 bones. As they grow, many of these bones fuse together, resulting in the 206 bones that adults have. These small bones help babies remain flexible. Some of a baby's bones are made entirely of cartilage, while others are partly made of cartilage. This cartilage gradually turns into bone as the baby grows.
Babies are born with more bones than adults because their skeletons are still developing. Many of the bones in a baby's body are not fully formed, and they will eventually fuse together as the baby grows. This process of bone fusion is called ossification.
Here's a breakdown of why babies have more bones:
- Flexibility: The extra bones in a baby's body allow for greater flexibility, which is essential for navigating the birth canal and developing motor skills.
- Growth: As a baby grows, the bones fuse together, forming the stronger, more rigid skeleton of an adult.
- Cartilage: Some of a baby's bones are made entirely of cartilage, which is a flexible tissue that allows for growth and development.
