Every minute that they're awake awake, babies
take in the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the world
around them.
Although it may take a while to understand what all this
information means, your infant can still find joy and comfort in
the familiar faces, voices, and sensations of everyday life.
Sight
Newborns can only see blurry shapes because they are very
nearsighted. Perfect vision is 20/20, and a newborn has 20/400
vision. This allows your baby to see your face from a nursing
position, which is about 8 to 10 inches away.
As babies grow, vision improves so that by 3 months they can
recognize the outline of face as someone enters the room. Human
faces are one of an infant's favorite things to look at,
especially a parent's and his or her own. Install a baby-safe
crib mirror at your infant's eye level and see how your baby
watches himself or herself. You also may catch your baby gazing out
a window or at a picture on the other side of the room.
Your baby's color vision is also developing, so brightly
colored wall hangings or toys will help develop this ability to
distinguish color and form. Soft pastel colors, though, are
difficult for a baby to appreciate - something to keep in mind when
purchasing toys and books.
By the second to third month, your baby's eye coordination
has improved enough to follow an object through a 180-degree arch.
If you hang a mobile above your baby's crib, look for one that
turns around, since watching things move is becoming another
favorite activity. By the end of this period, he or she may begin
to reach out for objects - the beginning of hand-eye
coordination.
Your baby will enjoy looking out from the stroller or baby
carrier as you walk the neighborhood or the mall. Point out the
sights, letting your baby linger over whatever catches his or her
eye. Remember, the whole world is your baby's classroom and
there's so much to see!
Hearing
Your newborn probably had a hearing screening before being
discharged from the hospital (most states require this). If not, or
your baby was born at home or a birthing center, it's important
to have a hearing screening within the first month of life. Most
children who are born with a hearing loss can be diagnosed through
a hearing screening.
Sometimes hearing loss is caused by things like infections,
trauma, and damaging noise levels, and the problem doesn't
emerge until later in childhood. So it's important to have
kids' hearing evaluated regularly as they grow.
In the first months of life, babies use crying as a form of
communication. After about the first month you'll be able to
distinguish the different cries and what they mean. Sometimes your
baby will be hungry, tired, have a wet diaper, or just want to be
held. You cannot spoil your baby by picking him or her up and
cuddling, so cuddle and coo as much as you like.
Your baby loves to hear your voice, so talk, babble, sing, and
coo away during these first few months. Take special advantage of
your baby's own "talking" to have a
"conversation." If you hear your infant make a sound,
repeat it and wait for him or her to make another. You are teaching
your baby valuable lessons about tone, pacing, and taking turns
when talking to someone else.
Babies this age seem to respond best to a higher-pitched voice,
which is why most people naturally raise the pitch of their voices
and exaggerate their speech when talking to a small baby. This is
fine - studies have shown that "baby talk" doesn't
delay speech development. In fact, responding to your baby
encourages speech. Feel free to mix in some regular adult words and
tone with the baby talk. It may seem early, but you're setting
the stage for your baby's first word.
Besides voices, your infant will probably enjoy listening to
music (play a variety of styles) and may be fascinated by the
routine sounds of life as well. Keep your baby nearby as you rattle
pans while making dinner, and let him or her sit in an infant seat
within earshot of older siblings laughing and playing. Baby rattles
and musical mobiles are other good ways to stimulate your
infant's hearing.
Taste and Smell
We assume infants can smell because we know they can taste, and
these are the two most closely related of the senses. Research
shows they prefer sweet tastes from birth and will choose to suck
on bottles of heavily sweetened water but will turn away or cry if
given something bitter or sour to taste.
And at this point at least, you don't have to worry too much
about your baby's taste buds. Breast milk or formula will
satisfy your baby completely.
Touch
It won't be long before your baby will be reaching out and
touching everything, especially things that can break.
But now, between 1 and 3 months, your baby depends on you to
provide touch. Infants know they're loved and cared for when
they're held, hugged, and kissed. Studies show that babies who
are never touched don't develop normally, and that touch
between parents and premature babies has a very positive effect on
the growth, blood pressure, and overall health of the baby.
Make it fun, too. Your baby will respond joyfully to a game of
"This Little Piggy" as you touch your infant's toes
or fingers. Introduce different textures and temperatures: the
softness of a feather, the hardness of a wooden block, the cool
feel of a window in winter.
If You're Concerned
You can try some unscientific testing of your infant's
seeing and hearing. By 8 to 10 weeks your baby will be able to
watch you as you move around the room or follow a shiny object that
you pass in front of him or her. Move a small, dim lamp or
flashlight from one side of your baby's face to the other. Does
your baby follow the movement? Does he or she seem to focus on the
light at all, even briefly?
Until 4 to 6 months an infant may appear cross-eyed when
trying to look at something that is close. This is normal in the
first few months. At the end of 3 months, your baby will probably
smile when he or she sees you and recognize your face. If these
signs are missing, discuss it with your doctor.
If you're concerned about your infant's ability to hear,
ask yourself these questions:
- Does the baby respond to the sound of my voice, even if he or
she cannot see me? (Your baby's response might be to stop
crying, to smile, or to get excited and move his or her arms and
legs.) Some studies indicate that a newborn can already recognize
a mother's voice, and by 3 months a baby can turn his or her
head toward voices.
- Does the baby startle at an unexpected sound behind his or
her head? Clap your hands behind your baby's head and see if
there's a response. If not, try it again later (your baby may
be momentarily distracted).
If you're still worried about your little one's hearing,
call your doctor. The earlier problems with seeing and hearing are
discovered, the better they can be treated.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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