5 Incredible Things Babies Do Before They’re Born

It’s easy to think of pregnancy as just the wait before the real action starts—but your baby is already busy learning, feeling, and growing in incredible ways.

Here are five fascinating things they’re getting up to before you even meet them…

1. Babies cry in the womb
By around 28 weeks, babies begin to practise crying. Scans have shown facial expressions like grimacing and silent sobbing motions—tiny previews of the big feelings they’ll express after birth. It’s a strange but amazing thought: your little one is already finding ways to communicate.

2. Babies dream before birth
REM sleep, the stage linked with dreaming, begins in the third trimester. Scientists can’t say exactly what babies are dreaming about—but their brains are active and processing the world they’re preparing to meet. It’s like mental prep work before their big debut.

3. Babies practise facial expressions
Smiles, frowns, and all sorts of funny little movements happen before birth as babies learn to use their facial muscles. Ultrasounds have even captured what look like scowls and smirks. They’re getting ready for all the adorable expressions you’ll see once they arrive.

4. Babies taste what you eat
Flavours from your meals pass into the amniotic fluid, giving babies a literal taste of life on the outside. Studies suggest that babies exposed to certain flavours in utero may show preferences for them after birth—so those pregnancy cravings might be shaping your baby’s future tastebuds!

5. Babies recognise music
From around 18 weeks, babies can hear sound in the womb, and by the third trimester, they can even remember familiar melodies. Many parents notice that babies calm when they hear songs that played often during pregnancy. Music really is one of the first ways we bond.

Pregnancy is full of wonder—and your baby is already starting to interact with the world around them in quiet but meaningful ways. It’s just the beginning of your amazing adventure together.