• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Wellness / Baby's Health Center / Your Baby's Senses

Your Baby's Senses

mother holding smiling baby boy

(BlackDoctor.org) — Find out about your baby’s five senses at birth and
beyond.

Your newborn navigates the world using his five senses. Baby’s sensory
explorations are constant, whether he’s mesmerized by Daddy’s face (or his
brightly patterned tie) or soothed by the sound of his favorite lullaby or the
smell of Mommy’s skin. Keep things interesting by exposing baby to lots of new
sensations — tickle him with a feather or play your favorite CD. The
possibilities are endless when there’s a whole world to discover.

1. Baby’s Sense of Touch
Your baby
thrives on being held and cuddled. And your touch has an amazing power to
communicate love, as well as soothe him and even boost his immunity. Research
shows that babies who are stroked lovingly don’t get sick as much and cry less
often. And preemies who are massaged grow and develop faster than babies who
aren’t. It’s natural for your newborn to prefer soft touches, like a gentle
caress or the feel of soft cotton. You’ll notice that baby bristles at a rough
touch or a scratchy, coarse fabric.

2. Baby’s Sense of Taste
Baby’s palate
starts to develop in the womb. Different flavors from Mom’s diet are transmitted
to baby through the amniotic fluid, and then through breast milk once he’s born.
Recent studies show that the foods baby was exposed to during pregnancy or
nursing are the ones he tends to like. So if you love carrots, don’t be
surprised if your little one shares your opinion. But no matter what you ate
during pregnancy, baby is born with a sweet tooth. He’ll love that first bite of
sweet pureed banana or applesauce.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

3. Baby’s Sense of Hearing
Baby’s
hearing is well developed at birth, but he prefers high-pitched voices, like
Mom’s, because he hears them best. That’s why the baby talk most people use is
also music to his ears. Over the first year your child’s hearing will sharpen
and he’ll learn to track sounds. For the first three months, he’ll only turn
toward a sound that’s in front of him, but by 6 to 12 months he’ll look toward a
noise coming from behind him or from across the room.

4. Baby’s Sense of Smell
Baby’s little
nose is in full working order at birth. He knows your scent well from the time
he spent in the womb, and studies show that newborns can tell the difference
between their mother’s breast pads and those of another nursing mom by scent.
Babies are born preferring sweet smells like the fragrance of vanilla; lemon is
also a favorite. And your newborn naturally dislikes foul odors, like the smell
of rotten eggs. He also hates bitter or sour tastes — probably an instinct to
help him avoid dangerous foods.

5. Baby’s Sense of Sight
At first, a
baby’s eyes don’t work together, and studies suggest that he sees two of
everything. He focuses best on objects 8 to 12 inches in front of him (images
closer or farther away are blurry). That’s about the distance to your face when
you’re feeding him, so it’s no wonder that he loves looking at you.

Newborns prefer the human face in general. They’re especially drawn to the
outline of the face or the hairline, which is easy to see because of the
contrast. Newborns can distinguish light from dark but can’t quite see color
until about 4 months. Try getting baby’s attention with high-contrast patterns
(like a checkerboard or stripes) and black-and-white or boldly colored toys. At
4 months he’ll begin to use his eyes to coordinate his hand movements, making
reaching and grabbing easier.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

The information on BlackDoctor.org is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care.
You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or
illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult
a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your
child’s condition.

August 20, 2010 by Morgan Curley

Read Next Article

The Latest In Baby's Health Center

baby formula

As Baby Formula Shortage Continues, Experts Offer Guidance to Parents

A nationwide baby formula shortage continues across the United States, with desperate parents scouring shelves to find nutrition for their infants. Millions of babies rely on formula -- the only source of nutrition recommended for infants who aren't exclusively breastfed. read more about As Baby Formula Shortage Continues, Experts Offer Guidance to Parents
baby formula

U.S. Baby Formula Shortage Worsens, Here’s How to Stretch Your Supply

Supply chain issues around the world are fueling a shortage of baby formula – and the problem is only getting worse. About 40% of the top-selling baby formula products were out of stock during the week ending April 24 in read more about U.S. Baby Formula Shortage Worsens, Here’s How to Stretch Your Supply

Breastfeeding: Racial Disparities & Health Benefits For Mom & Baby

African-American mothers breastfeed at lower rates than other groups of women for a myriad of reasons, and August, being Breastfeeding Awareness Month, is a good time to call attention to the health benefits for both mom and baby. Maria Wright, read more about Breastfeeding: Racial Disparities & Health Benefits For Mom & Baby
infant formula

What You Need to Know About the Infant Formula Recall

If you're a parent and using infant formula from Similac, Alimentum or EleCare, here are the updated facts on the ongoing product recall. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigates, Abbott Nutrition has recalled certain powdered formulas made at read more about What You Need to Know About the Infant Formula Recall
baby formula

Abbott Recalls Three Formulas After 5 Infants Develop Bacterial Infections

Several powdered baby formula products have been voluntarily recalled by Abbott Inc., following reports of four infants developing bacterial infections after consuming the products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. "As this is a product used as the read more about Abbott Recalls Three Formulas After 5 Infants Develop Bacterial Infections
pediatric stroke

Newborns and Young Children are Suffering From Strokes, Here’s why…

As a parent, you always know that there is a possibility for your child to get sick and become ill. Though you never want to think about the possibilities, it is important to always be aware that they are there. read more about Newborns and Young Children are Suffering From Strokes, Here’s why…

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • David And Tamela Mann On 34 Years Of Marriage: “I’ve Found A Good Thing”David And Tamela Mann On 34 Years Of Marriage: "I've Found A Good Thing"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.