Senses Development

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SENSES

New born babies can also use all their senses. The senses are known to be functional by 25 weeks gestation. In fact, some studies suggest that babies are capable of detecting changes in the intrauterine environment after 17 weeks of gestation. Mothers commonly report that the baby kicks more when music is played or quiets down when she starts rocking. Bright lights and sounds induce specific heart rate changes in the baby as he becomes aware of their presence. It is evident that the newborn is capable of perceiving environmental events at birth. The senses may be exquisitely sensitive at birth as in the olfactory sense, or they may be relatively immature as in the visual and auditory senses; however, even the immature senses perform well within their limitations. The full-term newborn is able to look at people and things, especially if they are near, and particularly at people’s faces but he cannot control the movements of his eyes. He can hear will and will react to bright light and noise and will listen to your voice. Very soon he will learn to recognise his mother’s special smell and respond to very light touch and movement.

IMMUNISATION AT BIRTH

Babies are given the following vaccines at birth. These vaccines are safe and without any immediate reaction. Some doctors prefer to administer the vaccines a bit later. This is perfectly acceptable. The vaccines given tat birth are:
BCG
ORAL POLIO
HEPAITIS B

BOTTLE FEEDING

Bottle- feeding may seem like hard work at first, but you will soon get into an easy routine of sterilizing bottles and preparing feeds. One advantage of bottle-feeding is that fathers can participate and enjoy holding a warm and contented baby during the feed.

CLEANING AND STERILISING

It is important to keep every piece of your bottle-feeding equipment absolutely clean to protect your baby against infection. This means sterilizing as well as washing. The best way to sterilize is to boil your equipment. You have to boil for at least 10 minutes.