Tag: development

Development of Newborn Senses

| February 27, 2012

Early Learning Activity Toys

Your baby’s development is amazing and takes place with rapid speed, but what is your baby aware of when they’re a newborn?

SIGHT

Newborn’s can only see things close up, about 20cms away from them. So when your baby’s being held they’ll be able to see your face, which makes this close contact a great way to bond.

Contrasting colours such as black and white are great for newborns to look at. At around 2 months your baby can distinguish colours and will enjoy mobiles.

At 6 months, new faces and objects are catching your baby’s attention and at 8 months your baby’s vision will be fully developed.

TASTE

It’s no wonder babies like sweet tasting foods, milk is naturally sweet. From 3 months onwards your baby will probably try to put what they can into their mouth, and when teething starts this will heighten their desire to have a good chew on things!

HEARING

Your baby listened to your voice in utero so will recognise it when they’re born and associate this with comfort. Hearing isn’t properly developed when a baby is newborn. At around 1 month old they’ll react to loud noises. Babies learn to associate certain sounds with happy events, so it’s important to make singing and music a fun and special part of the day with your baby. Music is a wonderful way to soothe your baby and develop their hearing and sense of tone.

TOUCH

Touch is essential for babies, kisses and cuddles make your baby feel secure. Babies love to explore with their hands and when weaning, will often squash food before eating it to understand what it feels like. Toys and books with texture really encourage play and development.

SMELL

Newborns have a good sense of smell and will know your natural scent from birth. Babies find your natural scent comforting, so try not to wear any perfume or scented creams for the first few months so your baby can enjoy your natural scent. By the age of 1 your baby will be able to recognise foods by their smell.

For further baby sensory development and a great way to have fun with your baby, you can join a local Baby Sensory Class.

The Best Baby Mobile

| February 10, 2012

When I was pregnant I searched relentlessly for the best baby mobile. I had a long list of criteria for my baby’s mobile.

I was looking for the best baby mobile I could buy. I wanted a mobile that would easily and safely attach to my baby’s cot with stimulating characters and classical music.

My friend recommended the East Coast Sweet Island Dreams Mobilewhich had been a saviour for getting her baby to sleep:

    • suitable for baby from birth
    • easily attaches to baby’s cot
    • plays soothing classical music
    • rotates with colourful characters
    • helps baby sleep peacefully with the night light for comfort
    • plays 3 classical tunes and an island theme
    • provides stimulating entertainment
    • has a calming night light
    • allows parents to use a remote control to turn the music and light on or off without going into baby’s room so as to not disturb a sleeping baby
    • encourages baby to follow the characters while listening to music

It’s well known that classical music enriches your baby’s cognitive and emotional development. We enjoy listening to classical music every night as our baby is drifting off into a blissful sleep.

The Best Gina Ford Baby Book

| January 13, 2012

Here’s what I consider to be the best Gina Ford book The Contented Baby’s First Year as it doesn’t delve into routines!

It’s a really great book for understanding the mental and physical development of your baby during their first year.

Each chapter covers a month in your baby’s first year.

It clearly explains in text and photographs the development stages your baby will go through and how you can interact and encourage your baby through play.

Wonderful reading for new parents.