Dad's Hilarious Video About Baby 'Not Having Kneecaps' Goes Viral

Parenting is full of unexpected “fun facts” about babies that can surprise even the most prepared parents. Did you know that babies are born with around 300 bones, which later fuse to become 206 as they grow? Or that you’ll have to wait at least 2 months to witness baby’s first smile? One dad’s recent TikTok video captures another surprising fact: babies are born without kneecaps—or at least as we know them.

Dylan Reese, the dad behind the TikTok account @shelbanddyl, recently shared a video that had the internet in stitches. In the video, Dylan is seen holding his baby and expressing shock upon realizing that babies are born without kneecaps. “Wait, do you mean to tell me… this baby doesn’t have kneecaps?” he says, looking bewildered. His genuine surprise and the adorableness of his baby make for an irresistibly funny combination.

As Dylan’s partner, Shelby, confirms the fact and explains that kneecaps develop later in childhood, Dylan’s incredulous reactions continue. “What kind of design flaw is this?!” he exclaims. “So you’re telling me this little nugget is kneecap-less until they’re like 2-6 years old? That’s wild!”

A quick fact-check shows that while babies aren’t born with bony kneecaps as we know them, they are born with a form of a knee cap, commonly referred to as a cartilage patella. According to Eric W. Edmonds, MD, a pediatric and adolescent orthopedic sports medicine specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, this cartilage begins to gradually ossify, or turn into bone, starting around 6 months old. This process continues through childhood, completing between ages 2 and 6 years old.

The video has resonated with parents and non-parents alike, quickly racking up over 11 million views, 1.5 million likes, and thousands of comments. “I literally had to Google it because I thought you were joking,” one commenter admitted, while another added, “I’m 30 years old and just learned this today thanks to you!”

There are plenty of unknowns about parenting but one thing is for sure—you learn something new everyday!

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