Babies have more bones than adults, so how do skeletons work?

Hi friends, I really appreciate all the responses in last month’s poll! I love getting to know people by exploring what makes them curious. A lot of you seem to be interested in how the body works because this week, we’re talking about bones.

Our skeletons do an important job. They hold our bodies together, protect important organs, and help us move wherever we want to go.

I didn’t think much about my skeleton until I tried imagining life without one. How would I hold up my neck? How would I run around with my friends or kick a ball? Without bones, I’d just flop onto the ground like a jelly giraffe!

Have you ever wondered what your bones are made of? They might feel as hard as a rock, but bones are actually living parts of your body!

Bones are made from a mix of collagen and minerals. Collagen is a stretchy protein that gives bones a little bit of flexibility. Minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, make bones hard. Together, they help our bones stay strong.

Your bones are also full of living cells that help them grow, repair themselves and stay healthy. That’s why a broken bone can heal over time!

While I was learning about bones, I discovered something surprising. Babies actually have more bones than adults! At first, I thought that sounded impossible. How can a tiny baby have more bones than a grown-up? It turns out that some of a baby’s bones join together as they grow.

DID YOU KNOW?

Newborn babies are born with about 300 bones, but the smaller bones join by the time they’re an adult. Once fully grown, they will have 206 bones! Take the body’s skull for example, it consists of separate plates that gradually fuse together by the age of one to two years old, creating a protective case for the brain.

The femur is the longest bone in your body. It’s in the upper part of your leg and supports your body weight, so it’s pretty strong.

The smallest bone in your body is called the stapes and it’s in your ear.

Your rib cage protects your heart and lungs. It’s like a suit of armour!

So our skeleton is pretty important. That means we need to take care of it as we grow. You can do this by:

Eating foods that are rich in calcium, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt. Calcium makes your bones hard and keeps them strong.

Enjoying the great outdoors. Spending regular time outside exposes your body to vitamin D. This helps your bones absorb calcium. But don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!

Staying active. Exercises like running and activities like jumping and playing keeps your legs and feet busy by supporting your weight as you move. This can help your bones grow stronger.

Next time you’re running around the playground, kicking a ball or just carrying your school bag, remember to thank your skeleton. Bones do a lot for our bodies! Let’s return the favour by being good to them.

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Learn more about how to keep your bones healthy and strong with Dairy Australia.

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