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Baby’s Senses
According to Boys Town Pediatrics, newborn babies begin to make sense of their surroundings by using their eyes, ears, sense of smell and touch. There are many things parents can do to help baby become aware of her senses and the environment in which she lives, including:
- Hearing − Sing or play stimulating music. Offer soft toys that make interesting noises. Speak using a higher pitch voice that baby will respond best to.
- Vision − Hang brightly colored or black-and-white patterned mobiles above baby’s crib and changing table. Because of the distinct difference between black and white, babies tend to respond more to these colors.
- Touch − Give baby soft toys and blankets to touch during periods when baby is awake. To avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), never let baby take these items to bed. Nurse or cuddle baby next to your bare skin. Not only does skin to skin contact stimulate the sense of touch, but it fosters closeness with baby as well.
- Smell − Newborns can recognize their mother and father by their scent. Help baby stimulate his sense of smell by avoiding perfumes or grooming products with strong scents.
Other Milestones
During baby’s first months you will notice other developmental milestones. By eight weeks, baby may be able to:
- Lift her chin slightly while lying on tummy.
- Grasp objects placed in his hand.
- Focus on your face.
- Follow moving objects with eyes.
- Turn in direction of sounds.
- Blink at bright lights.
- Respond to familiar voices or sounds by turning head.
Learning to Interact
One of the most exciting changes baby goes through during her first couple of months is the interaction with parents and family members. By eight weeks, you will notice that baby may:
- Cry differently when hungry, excited or uncomfortable.
- Cry when you leave the room, but stop when you pick her up.
- Make gurgling and cooing sounds when happy and content.
- Make eye contact, especially when feeding or cuddling with mom or dad.
- Smile at familiar faces and voices.
Every Baby Is Different
Of course, not every baby will display developmental milestones at the same time. In general, certain behaviors and physical milestones will occur at certain ages. However, it is expected that some children will reach some milestones earlier and some later than other children.
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