Nothing can be more pleasing for parents than watching their little baby explore her new world with wonderstruck eyes. Baby reactions are a cue to what babies like and dislike about their surroundings.
Baby’s Reflexes
Babies have some innate reflexes that disappear a few days or weeks after their birth. For instance, the baby will throw her arms open and arch her back when she’s startled, if you touch one side of her mouth she’ll turn towards the source, she’ll suck anything that is placed in her mouth and if you place her on her tummy she’ll bend her legs in a crawling reflex.
Baby’s Senses
Sight:
Babies see best at a distance of 8 to 12 inches. They love to watch human faces, especially eyes, so lock on to their gaze when you hold them. Babies tend to get attracted to bright and bold colors.
Touch
Babies loved to be touched as it gives them warmth and security. If you stroke her inner sole, her toes will curl inwards and if you stroke her outer sole, her toes will spread out.
Smell
It is amazing how a baby’s sense of smell guides her to her mother’s nipples and helps her breastfeed. If you are wearing a strong perfume, you’ll notice that your baby will not feed as well.
Hearing
If you rattle a toy on one side of the baby’s head, she’ll turn her head to that side and acknowledge that sound. Babies like gentle voices and rhythmic sounds, that’s why you can lull her to sleep by singing a lullaby or putting on some soothing music.
Taste
A baby gets prepared for various tastes through her mother’s milk, as breast milk takes on subtle flavors of the mother’s diet.
Social Skills
Humans are social animals and their babies are no different. To have a good laugh make some funny noises and faces and wait for your baby’s reactions. She’ll smile or gurgle or even try to imitate you. Stroke her face gently with different textures like cotton, towel, silk, feather and see how she responds. She’ll love to rock and sway with you on some music. A gentle oil massage will relax her.
Baby reactions are a reflection of how their parents react to situations. Be careful with your expressions, because if you are angry and rude, your baby will learn that expression from you.
