Prenatal Tips for Your Newborn
Newborns can see shortly after birth.
- They see best when objects are about 8 inches away from their face.
- They enjoy looking at adults.
- Newborns can see black and white and bright colors, like red and yellow.
Newborns can hear.
- They react to sounds by blinking their eyes, waking from sleep, crying, or moving their whole body.
- They like hearing a human voice and will move in rhythm to talking or singing.
Newborns can taste and smell.
- They like warm things better than cold ones.
- They can recognize your smell.
Newborns are born with reflexes. Reflexes are behaviors that help babies survive and learn. Look for your baby to have these reflexes. If you don't see these reflexes in your baby, tell your doctor.
- Stroke the corner of your baby's mouth. She will turn her head to root, looking for a nipple.
- Place a finger or nipple in your baby's mouth. She will suck.
- Press on the palm of your baby’s hand and watch for her hand to close.
- Press on the ball of the foot and watch for her toes to flex.
Newborns get used to what happens in their lives.
- They learn not to wake up to sounds that happen regularly.
- They stop paying attention to something that happens over and over again.
- They will pay attention to new things.
Learn more about Your Newborn Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
