- A newborn baby can recognize its mother s scent within hours of being born. This is because babies are exposed to their mother s scent in the womb, and they begin to learn what it smells like even before they are born.

Olfactory receptors in the nose.

- After birth, babies continue to learn about their mother s scent through direct contact, such as when they are breastfeeding or being held close to her. The scent of their mother s breast milk also plays a role in shaping a baby s sense of smell.

- Over time, babies come to associate their mother s scent with feelings of comfort, security, and love. When a baby smells its mother s scent, it can help to calm the baby down and make it feel happy and relaxed.

Neural pathways.

- Brain regions for recognizing scents, the olfactory bulb, the amygdala, and the hippocampus, link sensory perceptions (odors) and memories or emotions linked to those specific odors.

This is why the scent of a mother can sometimes have such a powerful effect on her child, even when they are grown up. It can bring back memories of childhood and feelings of nostalgia and longing.

Scent as a survival mechanism.

- Baby s ability to recognize Mom s scent is believed to have evolved as a survival mechanism allowing babies to stay close to their mothers for protection and feeding