Episode 14 | Understanding Your Amazing Newborn’s Senses and Reflexes

Podcast Episode 14 | Understanding Your Amazing Newborn’s Senses and Reflexes

Today we’re diving into the fascinating world of newborns’ senses and reflexes.

New parents, get ready to be amazed as we explore what your newborn baby can do and how you can nurture their development.

Let’s start with the sense of touch. Did you know that newborns love being touched gently by their parents? Skin-to-skin contact is not only comforting but also crucial for their development. Research even shows that premature babies benefit significantly from this close contact, a practice known as ‘kangaroo care.’ So, don’t hesitate to cuddle your little one skin-to-skin as often as you can. And this is for Mums and Dads.

And speaking of touch, baby massage is another wonderful way to bond with your newborn. Whether you take a class or simply try it at home, gentle massage can be incredibly soothing for both you and your baby.

Now, let’s talk about vision. At birth, babies can see objects best when they’re about 20 to 40 centimeters away—perfect for gazing into your eyes during breastfeeding. They particularly enjoy looking at high-contrast images, like black and white patterns with pops of coloru. So, consider incorporating these into your baby’s environment. May baby toys and books are perfect for this.

But what do newborns like to look at the most? Surprisingly, it’s your face! They’re drawn to your expressions so smile at them often and they will ove that.

They also love the sound of your voice, which brings us to the sense of hearing.

Newborns are already familiar with their parents’ voices from their time in the womb, so don’t be shy about talking or singing to your baby—they love it! And while they prefer high-pitched voices and gentle sounds, even nursery rhymes can captivate their attention.

Now, let’s explore newborn reflexes. From the rooting and sucking reflexes to the startle and stepping reflexes, your baby comes equipped with a fascinating array of involuntary responses designed to protect and support them in their early days.

For example, the rooting or searching reflex helps them find the nipple for feeding, while the startle reflex occurs in response to sudden stimuli, causing their arms to fling out before curling back in. These reflexes gradually fade as your baby grows and develops more of their own voluntary movements.

The stepping reflex is amazing, if your baby is held upright under their arms and their feet touch the floor or bench, they will start to take steps, they can’t hold their own body up but they do appear to be walking.

Sucking is another of their important primitive reflexes and of course this is important for feeding and growth.

Your healthcare professionals will monitor these reflexes during check-ups, but if you ever have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your GP, midwife, or maternal and child health nurse.

And finally, cherish these precious early weeks and months with your baby. Despite the sleepless nights and endless nappy changes, this time passes quickly, and before you know it, your newborn will be exploring the world around them.

Connect With Me:

Web: www.BelindaJoyce.com
Facebook: @BelindaJoyceMidwife
Instagram: @belinda_joyce_midwife
TikTok: @belinda_joyce_midwife

Download Belinda’s FREE Baby Bundle:

• Checklists for baby equipment, hospital bag, nappy bag, travel & childcare bag
• Newborn Sleep Flowchart-what to do next
• Baby Feed & Sleep Tracker

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