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

by Michael Banks (Author)

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.

Author Biography

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.