Immediately after birth a newborn can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.  All five senses are present and functioning.  An infant's vision is blurry but will normalize over the next few months. Newborn hearing is tested shortly after birth and should reveal excellent perception of sounds. Infants favor the sweet taste of milk over other liquids, although infants should only receive milk unless otherwise directed by your pediatrician. Newborn infants can detect strong odors. Infants have an excellent sense of touch.  They can detect the touch and warmth of their caregivers.

How good is my newborn baby's vision?

Newborns have generally blurry vision but can see best within an 8 to 12 inch range.  This is the typical distance of a caregivers face as she holds and feeds the baby. Newborn infants do not have the ability to track with their eyes.  This means that an infant cannot maintain division on a single moving object for any extended period of time. The visual acuity and ability to track will improve over the next few weeks and months of life.

How good is my newborn baby's hearing?

Newborns have excellent hearing.  They can recognize the voice of their parents and are soothed by a calm voice or singing. Sharp or loud noises will startle your baby.

How good is my newborn baby's sense of smell?

It is difficult to determine the exact quality of the sense of smell in babies.  Babies can detect and will be bothered by sharp or strong smells.

How good is my newborn baby's sense of taste?

Newborn babies prefer the taste of the milk a over other liquids.  This is good because of course newborns should only be receiving milk unless otherwise directed by your pediatrician.  Some babies will refuse to take liquid medications with a strong taste. Babies prefer sweet tastes over sour or bitter.

How good is my newborn baby's sense of touch?

Newborn infants can feel pressure, pain, vibration, heat, and light touch extremely well.

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