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Sensory Capacities

Throughout much of history, the newborn was considered a passive, disorganized being who possessed minimal abilities. William James, an early psychologist, had described the newborn’s world as “a blooming, buzzing confusion,” (Shaffer, 1985). However, current research techniques have demonstrated just how developed the newborn is with especially organized sensory

Newborn Reflexes

Moro reflex
The Moro reflex causes the baby to cry, throw back his or her head, and then pull his or her limbs into the body.

Tonic reflex
The tonic reflex is often called the "fencing" reflex because of the position of the hands.

What reflexes should be present in a newborn?

Reflexes are

What is a fontanelle?

A fontanelle is a ‘soft spot’ of a newborn baby’s skull. It is a unique feature that is important for the normal growth and development of your baby’s brain and skull. Your health team will check your baby’s fontanelles during routine visits.

If you touch the top of

When Do You Stop Swaddling a Baby?

When to Stop Swaddling Your Baby Transitioning Your Baby Out of a Swaddle How to Get Your Babies to Sleep Without the Swaddle Dangers of Continued Swaddling

Swaddling your newborn can calm them down and help them sleep better.

Understand the Different Types of Newborn Reflexes

The reflexes or automatic actions newborns exhibit put the awesome power of human instinct and evolution on full display. From rooting to grasping, babies are programmed to respond to certain stimuli in their environments with specific, involuntary reactions. For example, stroke a newborn's

Newborn Reflexes
Newborn Reflexes

​Many of your baby's movements in their first weeks are done by reflex. This means it is involuntary or happens without your baby trying. If you put your finger in their mouth, they suck reflexively. They shut their eyes tightly to a bright light.

Some reflexes remain with newborns

Neonatal Reflexes

Types
Tests
When to see your doctor

What are neonatal reflexes?

A reflex is a response to a stimulus and that occurs without conscious thought. Examples of adult reflexes include pulling your hand away from a hot stove and jerking your

What Is the Apgar Score?


The Apgar score is a test given to newborns soon after birth. This test checks a baby's heart rate, muscle tone, and other signs to see if extra medical care or emergency care is needed.

Babies usually get the test twice: 1 minute after birth, and again

Newborn Senses
The senses of a newborn

Babies are born with all 5 senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Some of the senses are not fully developed. The newborn's senses are as described below.
Sight

Over the first few months, babies may have uncoordinated eye movements. They may even appear cross-eyed. Babies are born

What Is the Apgar Score?
The Apgar score is a test given to newborns soon after birth. This test checks a baby's heart rate, muscle tone, and other signs to see if extra medical care or emergency care is needed.

Babies usually get the test twice: 1 minute after birth, and again