Newborn Senses

Babies are born with all of the senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Some of the senses are not fully developed at birth. The newborn's senses are as follows:

Sight

Over the first few months, babies may have uncoordinated eye movements and may even appear cross-eyed. Stages of eye development:

• Babies are born with the ability to focus only at close range — about 8 to 10 inches or the distance between a mother's face to the baby in her arms.
• Babies are able to follow or track an object in the first few weeks of life.
• Newborns can detect light and dark but cannot see all colors. This is why many baby books and infant toys have distinct black and white patterns.
• Focus improves over the first 2 to 3 years of life to a normal 20/20 vision.

Hearing

During pregnancy, many mothers find that the baby may kick or jump in response to loud noises and quiet with soft, soothing music. Hearing is fully developed in newborns.

• Babies with normal hearing should startle in response to loud sounds.
• These babies will also pay quiet attention to the mother's voice, and briefly stop moving when sound at a conversational level is begun.
• Newborns seem to prefer a higher-pitched voice (the mother's) to a low sounding voice (males).
• They also have the ability to tune out loud noises after hearing them several times.
• Newborns are screened for hearing while still in the hospital.

Smell

Studies have found that newborns have a strong sense of smell. Newborns prefer the smell of their own mother, especially to her breast milk.

Taste

Babies prefer sweet tastes over sour or bitter tastes. Babies also show a strong preference for breast milk and breastfeeding, especially if they are breastfed and then offered formula or a bottle.

Touch

Babies are comforted by touch. Here are a few ways to help your baby feel secure:

• Place a hand on the baby's abdomen, or cuddle him or her close.
• Swaddling (wrapping snugly in a blanket) is another technique used to help babies feel secure.
• Some mothers find their babies are comforted when "worn" in a sling or carrier.
• Holding a baby for feedings is also important.
• Breastfeeding ensures that a baby spends several hours in mother's arms. Although bottle feeding of breast milk may also be done.