From the moment of birth, sighted newborns can focus and even follow objects within 8 to 12 inches. Beyond that distance, though, the image may be hazy. And hearing is even more acute. Babies are born with sensitive hearing and can distinguish volume immediately. That first cry in a noisy delivery room may be from insult to his ears. When bright lights are turned on, expect your child to close his eyes or even squint. But it's not unusual for eye movements to appear to be uncoordinated. Eyes may even appear to be "crossed," the result of eye muscles not being fully developed and coordinated. That should change as eye muscles strengthen. To make sure your baby has no eye problems, give your baby something to look at (a dim light or your face, for example) and move it up and down and side to side. A baby with normal vision will follow the path of the object. Let your doctor know if you don't think your baby is fixing on or following your face or another object. Most infants respond to certain colors, especially red, so any red toys, mobiles, posters or other objects may keep your baby more stimulated than those in other colors. Babies respond to music as well, especially the kind you listened to during pregnancy. Keeping a radio in the nursery may help babies better adapt to their new environment. But the type of music is your call. It doesn't have to be Muzak, classical or Raffi tunes; anything is fine as long as it is not too loud. If you have a premature baby, be aware that he has a lower noise threshold and is more easily agitated by loud noises. It is important that you note if your child doesn't respond to noise, anything from soothing voices to barking dogs. When the phone rings and the baby cries, count your blessings. He's responding. If your child doesn't react to noise (clapping your hands is one test), consult your pediatrician. By the end of the first month, your infant will be able to distinguish your voice from others and is more likely to react to it, even stopping during feeding to listen if you're talking. Last Updated: 7/15/2003
The Johns Hopkins University 1996-2003. All rights reserved. This information is not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor is it intended to be a substitute for consultation.
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