Infants

Care and Love!

 

Your baby is a born scientist full of curiosity and ready to discover. Although your tiny newborn seems to be in a world of his/her own, development is happening. 

 

Your baby will recognize familiar voices heard while waiting to be born whether mom's, dad's, or grandma's. Research shows us that shortly after birth infants will attempt to move towards the voices they heard before they were born. Yes, your voice is a first connection to your newborn. Hearing your voice and feeling your gentle touch lays a foundation for attachment between the two of you.

 

Your baby communicates with you by crying. Cries are not meant to annoy you; rather they are baby's first way to communicate with her/her voice.  If you listen carefully, you will hear different pitches and rhythms. Cries indicate boredom, discomfort, hunger, or sleepiness. As you learn to distinguish different cries, you will begin to answer your infant's needs. Respond by cuddling, feeding, holding, talking, and being playful.  Soon you and your baby will start to understand each other. 

 

During the first month your baby keeps a fist. Often baby will use one of your fingers and wrap his/her tiny hand around it. Your infant connects to you by holding your finger. This tender touch invites reciprocity and the beginning of learning.

When speaking to your infant hold him/her in front of you and face each other. Your infant wants to see your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Use your eyes, smiles, and facial gestures, to invite interaction. Watch your infant's eyes and follow where they go.  Get down on the floor with your infant and take notice of what your infant sees. Does your infant stare at a blank white ceiling? You can put photos, or strings of lights on the ceiling to enhance visual sense. Does your infant see legs of chairs? Place photos at a low level and spark visual interest. Your infant has a delicate and developing nervous system. A loud noise from a radio, television, or other electronic devices startles it. Be sensitive to sound levels for your infant. Your infant works every day to learn about the world.

 

Developmental changes happen constantly during the first year. From a floppy head, rolling over, sitting up, muscles get strong, baby crawls, and eventually walks. Put your baby on a mat or blanket, on his/her back on the floor, and observe how many muscles move. Encourage your infant to move by placing interesting objects within sight. When your baby can hold up his/her head, give the baby tummy time. Put an object nearby, and watch baby stretch for it. Be patient and let your infant reach for it. It might take several attempts and even days of focusing on the object and thinking about how to get to it. It is part of growth and development to move on one's own. Give time for this to happen. 

 

Pay attention to safety around your infant. Think of ways to give your baby simple and interesting objects that are safe to explore. Mobiles, plastic measuring spoons, and break-proof mirrors provide interesting shapes, sounds, and reflections. It is normal for babies to put everything in their mouths to discover what they are. It is how they learn. Make sure that all items are safe and free from toxic paint, chemicals, and not too small to cause choking. Once your baby learns to roll over he/she can topple off a changing table or any higher surface. Keep your baby on low surfaces that are soft and appropriate for crawling on and over. Small mattresses or foam pads placed on the floor for movement up and down, or on and off, and with different textures are safe for baby.

 

We all love the smiles and giggles that babies make as they discover other sounds their voices make. When you return the smile and encourage cooing and giggling, you acknowledge beginning language development. Sounds such as ma, ma, ma, or ba ba ba, or da, da, da, are universal. Playful interaction using sounds and words between you and your infant builds brain synapses.

 

Babies are active. All your infant's senses are awake and wanting to learn. Enjoy the back and forth and explore with your baby. The first year passes quickly and your tiny newborn will sit, roll over, crawl, stand, cruise the furniture, and walk before you know it.

 

It is a privilege to help another human being start life's journey.  Cherish the moments, gaze into your infants eyes, and listen to baby's sounds of communiciation. Give consistent care and love and your understanding of being a parent will grow. Trust will develop between the two of you. Celebrate and embrace the beginning of a life-long journey together.

 

Your consistent care and love matters. They are the foundation of trust!