How does your newborn learn and respond to the stimuli around her and what senses does she possess as a newborn?


Because we use them so commonly and automatically, we are usually unaware of our senses-hearing, vision, adaptation to movement, response to touch, odors and all the complicated interactions that go with them. This is quite a lot, for your new baby to use in the first few minutes of life! With that in mind, an exploration of how your newborn does brave this new world is in order.

Sense of Sight

First, take a look at – well, looking or seeing. Although perhaps not quite as well focused as they will be in just a few more weeks, a new baby’s eyes do see some things. In the first weeks your baby should be able to see things from eight to twelve inches away, especially faces. Studies show that newborn babies prefer to look at faces. Place your face directly in your baby’s line of vision and give both of you a good chance to size each other up.  Your baby is programmed to prefer looking at faces; a trait that is probably there to help promote bonding between a baby and her parents. This of course is one reason why being visible to a newborn immediately after birth and the first few days is so important.  

Your baby’s vision will be blurry and fuzzy at first because her eye muscles are still weak and uncoordinated. Even so, she can still see shapes, strong contrasts in color (black, white and red), and of course your face.

Tip –Laminate a variety of photos and pictures and rotate them on the wall near your baby’s crib or change table.

Other articles about newborn sight include:

• Crossed eyes and your newborn
• Visual Development and your newborn
• Activities for sight development

Sense of Hearing

Most babies are tested after birth for their ability to hear. This is especially important for infants who are premature or have other high-risk birth factors. Since a parent’s voice is so very important for reassurance and harmony, it is extremely important to make sure hearing is intact. A newborn’s hearing is not perfect at first as there is usually fluid present in the middle ear that can distort sound. This is why newborns prefer the high-pitched, exaggerated sounds or ‘baby talk’ that we seem to use with small babies. Your baby will be able to recognize your voice and the voice of others in the family from his time in the womb. Soothe and engage your baby with soft vocalizations, coos, gentle words and laughter. Your new baby may not bubble over with response but she is listening.

Other articles about newborn hearing include:

• Hearing development
• Hearing screening
• Learning and sound activities for babies

Sense of Smell

This sense may be a bit harder to detect. However, there is no doubt that the particular odors that surround us all, hopefully mostly pleasant, are noted and remembered. Studies have shown that newborn babies can recognize the smell of breast milk and they may even be able to recognize the odor of their own mother’s milk (Porter, Raimbault, Henrot and Saliba, 2008).  Associations between events and the odors that go with them, such as breastfeeding and the way a mother’s skin smells, provide a positive sense of protection and warmth.

Sense of Touch

Don’t forget touch. Skin is the largest sensory or feeling organ a baby has.  Stimulation by touch such as infant massage, applying lotion, bathing and caressing are all highly recommended to help your baby grow and develop and to encourage bonding. Babies also perceive pain, so be sensitive about using too much pressure and be careful with diaper pins and any other sharp objects.

Other articles about sense of touch include:

• Baby Massage

Taste

Taste buds begin forming early in fetal development. Newborn babies prefer sweet tastes to sour or bitter tastes. Around two months of age your baby will be able to start detecting the different flavors in your breast milk.

As you can see, immediately after birth, your new baby is a powerhouse! Every sensing part of her body is now tuned closely to this new world into which she has come.

Next: Sensory exploration and learning with newborns

By Dr. Olson Huff, FAAP

Parent Story Soon after our son was born, Hank (my husband) had been just outside the door when the pediatrician took Aiden out of the room.  As soon as my husband spoke, our son turned his head towards the sound.  Hank had always been somewhat skeptical about whether or not talking and reading to the belly would make any kind of difference.  “You think he is going to recognize my voice?”  I would tell him not only would our son recognize him, but would also know that this was someone wonderful in his life.  “After all Babe, you keep me laughing, and our boy knows I am happy around you.”  I didn’t have to say I told you so.  The pediatrician said, “Look at him turn his head towards you!  He obviously knows who his Daddy is.”  Hank was smitten.    Trish

References
Porter, R.H., Raimbault, C., Henrot, A.,& Saliba, E. . (2008). Response of Pre-Term Infants to the Odour of Mother’s Milk. In: Hurst, J. L., Beynon, R. J., Roberts S.C., and Wyatt, T.D. Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11. New York: Springer. 337-342.

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