Genetic Traits that Babies Get From Their Mother
Riya Kumari | Jan 02, 2025, 17:12 IST
Okay, let’s get one thing straight—when people start talking about baby genes, it’s basically a roundabout way of saying, “Hey, who’s this kid gonna look like?” But we all know the answer, right? It’s mom. Always mom. That’s right. While dad might get some credit for, like, the baby’s nose (which, honestly, is probably the only feature you don’t mind inheriting from him), it’s mom who’s calling the genetic shots. Let’s dive into why.
Ever wonder how much of you your little one actually inherits? Spoiler: It’s more than just the eyes or the smile. Turns out, babies get a whole bunch of traits from you—some obvious, some totally unexpected. From your quirky laugh to your superhuman ability to stay awake all night (hello, sleepless nights), your genetics are doing their thing behind the scenes. Ready to find out what else your baby might’ve picked up?
1. Eye Color
Let’s start with the obvious: eye color. It’s like one of the first things people ask after you have a baby, right? “Oh, I bet she’s going to have your blue eyes!” Uhhh, maybe. But most likely, she’s going to have her mom’s eyes. Why? Because Mom’s got two X chromosomes (yep, two), while Dad’s sitting there with just one. Mom’s eye color is the one that really gets a say in this. So, if you’re holding your baby, staring into her deep brown eyes and wondering if Dad’s blue eyes somehow snuck in there, just remember, it was most likely your eyes that won the genetic game here.
2. Immune System
Now let’s talk about something we really appreciate: the immune system. You know how some people are practically invincible to colds, and others seem to catch everything under the sun? If you’ve been blessed with the "never sick" gene, you can thank your mom. Mom passes down most of the genes responsible for your immune system. Basically, while Dad might have passed down his excellent taste in music or his knack for cooking, it’s Mom’s antibodies that keep you from catching every sniffle in the office. So, you know, you’re welcome.
3. Hair Texture and Color
Hair. Oh, hair. The one thing we can all agree is either perfectly low-maintenance or an absolute nightmare every single morning. If you’ve ever wondered why your hair reacts like it’s been put through a tornado when it’s humid outside, that’s because you probably got that from your mom. Mom’s hair texture is the one that has the most influence here. If you have that effortlessly sleek, shiny look—thank her. If you have the kind of hair that seems to have its own gravitational pull when it rains—yep, blame her for that too. Either way, Mom’s genes are the ones deciding how your hair behaves, no matter how much Dad pretends his thick mane had a bigger influence.
4. Height
We’ve been told we’re going to hit at least six feet tall because dad’s a giant and mom is, well, not. When it comes to height, it turns out mom has the upper hand. While both parents obviously influence it, studies show that the maternal side actually plays a more significant role. If you’re wondering why you’re still shopping in the “petite” section, it’s time to send a silent thank-you to your mom. She’s the one who made sure you’d be able to fit in all those low-to-the-ground spaces. So, if you’re 5’2” and trying to figure out where things went wrong while your dad is over here acting like a human skyscraper, well, sorry, it’s just the way the genetic cookie crumbled. It’s not Dad’s fault, but Mom’s genes are what decided you’d be more “compact.”
5. Personality Traits
Now for the fun part: personality. Ever heard someone say, “You’re so like your mom”? Yeah, well, they’re not wrong. Ever wonder why you do that weird thing with your hands when you’re stressed? Or why you immediately want to start a new hobby every other week? Thank your mom. Yep, turns out we inherit a lot of our emotional and behavioral traits from mom. Everything from how we react in a stressful situation to how we handle conflict? That’s all her. And before you argue that you’re nothing like your mom, think about it. You totally are, aren’t you? Don’t worry—most of us have inherited at least one habit that makes us cringe when we realize it.
6. Mental Health Vulnerability
Now, this one’s a little heavy, but we’ll touch on it anyway. Mental health—particularly the risk of developing certain mental health issues like depression or anxiety—can be heavily influenced by the maternal side of the family. Your mom’s mental health history can play a big role in whether or not you might inherit certain tendencies. Of course, this isn’t set in stone. You don’t just “become” a product of your mother’s emotional state. But let’s be real, it’s a factor. So, take a moment to thank your mom for those great coping skills she somehow passed down to you, even if you didn’t ask for them.
1. Eye Color
Eye color
Let’s start with the obvious: eye color. It’s like one of the first things people ask after you have a baby, right? “Oh, I bet she’s going to have your blue eyes!” Uhhh, maybe. But most likely, she’s going to have her mom’s eyes. Why? Because Mom’s got two X chromosomes (yep, two), while Dad’s sitting there with just one. Mom’s eye color is the one that really gets a say in this. So, if you’re holding your baby, staring into her deep brown eyes and wondering if Dad’s blue eyes somehow snuck in there, just remember, it was most likely your eyes that won the genetic game here.
2. Immune System
Sneeze
Now let’s talk about something we really appreciate: the immune system. You know how some people are practically invincible to colds, and others seem to catch everything under the sun? If you’ve been blessed with the "never sick" gene, you can thank your mom. Mom passes down most of the genes responsible for your immune system. Basically, while Dad might have passed down his excellent taste in music or his knack for cooking, it’s Mom’s antibodies that keep you from catching every sniffle in the office. So, you know, you’re welcome.
3. Hair Texture and Color
Hair
Hair. Oh, hair. The one thing we can all agree is either perfectly low-maintenance or an absolute nightmare every single morning. If you’ve ever wondered why your hair reacts like it’s been put through a tornado when it’s humid outside, that’s because you probably got that from your mom. Mom’s hair texture is the one that has the most influence here. If you have that effortlessly sleek, shiny look—thank her. If you have the kind of hair that seems to have its own gravitational pull when it rains—yep, blame her for that too. Either way, Mom’s genes are the ones deciding how your hair behaves, no matter how much Dad pretends his thick mane had a bigger influence.
4. Height
Basketball
We’ve been told we’re going to hit at least six feet tall because dad’s a giant and mom is, well, not. When it comes to height, it turns out mom has the upper hand. While both parents obviously influence it, studies show that the maternal side actually plays a more significant role. If you’re wondering why you’re still shopping in the “petite” section, it’s time to send a silent thank-you to your mom. She’s the one who made sure you’d be able to fit in all those low-to-the-ground spaces. So, if you’re 5’2” and trying to figure out where things went wrong while your dad is over here acting like a human skyscraper, well, sorry, it’s just the way the genetic cookie crumbled. It’s not Dad’s fault, but Mom’s genes are what decided you’d be more “compact.”
5. Personality Traits
Laugh
Now for the fun part: personality. Ever heard someone say, “You’re so like your mom”? Yeah, well, they’re not wrong. Ever wonder why you do that weird thing with your hands when you’re stressed? Or why you immediately want to start a new hobby every other week? Thank your mom. Yep, turns out we inherit a lot of our emotional and behavioral traits from mom. Everything from how we react in a stressful situation to how we handle conflict? That’s all her. And before you argue that you’re nothing like your mom, think about it. You totally are, aren’t you? Don’t worry—most of us have inherited at least one habit that makes us cringe when we realize it.
6. Mental Health Vulnerability
Sad woman
Now, this one’s a little heavy, but we’ll touch on it anyway. Mental health—particularly the risk of developing certain mental health issues like depression or anxiety—can be heavily influenced by the maternal side of the family. Your mom’s mental health history can play a big role in whether or not you might inherit certain tendencies. Of course, this isn’t set in stone. You don’t just “become” a product of your mother’s emotional state. But let’s be real, it’s a factor. So, take a moment to thank your mom for those great coping skills she somehow passed down to you, even if you didn’t ask for them.