The Secret Science of Baby: The Surprising Physics of Creating a Human, from Conception to Birth--and Beyond

by Michael Banks

Overview

What stops pregnant women from falling over all the time? What makes infant cries so captivating? How do sperm swim?


The Secret Science of Baby answers these questions and many more, revealing the fascinating physics behind conception, birth, and babyhood.

Parents and parents-to-be are bombarded with information, from what to expect to what to do (and not to do) when it happens. But what they may not realize is that from the chemistry of pregnancy tests to the vacuum physics of breastfeeding, there is fascinating science at the heart of every aspect of creating and raising a new human.

Written by science journalist Michael Banks, The Secret Science of Baby won’t tell you how to raise a perfect violin-playing, mandarin-speaking toddler, but it will shed a new light on how and why things happen as they do—from conception and pregnancy to cooing and pooing.

Exploring the hidden physics behind uterine contractions, the fluid dynamics of diapers, and more, both parents and curious non-parents (who, after all, were once babies themselves) will gain a fresh perspective on the infant universe . . . and the thrilling science that makes it possible.

In these pages, readers will discover:

The physics of the playground and common toys—from the swing to the Slinky

What it really means to "sleep like a baby"

The surprising shared vocal cord features of lions and (human) infants

The miracle of a baby's first breath and how surface tension provided the key to helping preemies breathe

Banks draws from his own experience, interviews with scientists, and the latest research (including some involving conception inside an MRI machine) to offer a book that focuses on “how?” rather than “how-to.” The result is an illuminating and hilarious journey through the everyday science of making, baking, and bringing up baby.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781637741467
Publisher:	BenBella Books, Inc.
Publication date:	12/06/2022
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	222,789
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Michael Banks was born in Oldham, Lancashire, UK. After an undergraduate degree in physics from Loughborough University, UK, Michael did a PhD in condensed-matter physics at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Physics in Stuttgart, Germany, studying magnetism. For over a decade, Michael has been news editor of the international monthly magazine Physics World, where he covers the latest developments in physics.

Michael has given talks worldwide about science and science journalism including in China, Japan and the US. In addition to Physics World, Michael has written for Nature, BBC Focus and Science Uncovered as well as appeared on BBC Radio 4. Michael is based in Bristol, UK, where he lives with his wife and two boys. He tweets at @Mike_Banks.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 The Coitus Experiment 5

2 The Egg and Sperm Race 11

3 Forming a Body Plan 33

4 Pregnancy Probabilities and Tests 51

First Interlude The Physics of Ultrasound Scans 65

5 Baby Bump and Body Imbalances 75

6 Ready, Set, (Contr)action! 91

7 Labor Day 105

Second Interlude The Engineering of Modern Diapers 123

8 The Tree of Life 131

9 First Breath 147

10 The Sound of Chaos in Newborn Cries 165

11 Feeding Frenzy 179

Third Interlude Breast Pumps and Baby Bottles 195

12 Baby Brain 201

13 On the Move 219

Fourth Interlude Physics of the Playground and Toys 235

14 Tower of Bab(y)el 243

Afterword 257

Acknowledgments 261

Endnotes 263

Index 283

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This was a hilarious, informative, and entirely impractical guide to babies. I loved it.”
—Chris Ferrie, author of Quantum Physics for Babies

“Fascinating. Terrifying. I’ll never look at human reproduction the same way again.”
—James Breakwell, comedy writer, creator of @XplodingUnicorn on Twitter, and author of Bare Minimum Parenting
 
“The Secret Science of Baby is fun and fascinating, but it is more than that: It deepens our sense of awe and admiration at the ingenuity life has put into the process of propagating itself.”
—Philip Ball, author of How to Grow a Human
 
“If you’re a parent who’s ever pondered conception, childbirth, or baby behavior, and wondered ‘How the heck does this even happen?’, The Secret Science of Baby is for you. Prepare to be wowed—and maybe a little grossed out, too.”
—Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes
 
“A fascinating look at some of the scientific triumphs (and mishaps) of creating small humans. This book is perfect for anyone interested in learning about the science of early parenthood or fun trivia facts like what was used as a common feeding bottle during the Middle Ages.”
—Julie Vick, author of Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?)
 
“The Secret Science of Baby walks the reader through the wide and fascinating range of science involved in the production of a new human, and in the process makes this most quintessentially miraculous of life events seem even more amazing.”
—Chad Orzel, international bestselling author of How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog