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 Before Your Baby Is Born

• Body, arms and legs are plump with many creases and folds in skin.

• Arms, legs and head are in a flexed position.

• Lungs are developing.

• Feeding, sleeping and activity patterns are being established.

• Babies born at this age will not usually require specialized care, unless there is a complication.

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Appearance

• Baby looks plump and well formed.

• Arms and legs remain close to body with elbows and knees bent.

• Skin is smooth and soft.

• Facial features often look like a family member.

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Tone and Posture

• Muscles are strong.

• Baby holds arms and legs flexed and drawn up close to body.

• When baby is held in sitting position, the head remains upright for a few seconds.

• When held, your baby will snuggle.

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Movement

• Movements are smooth, controlled and appear purposeful.

• May be observed bringing hand to mouth, sucking a finger, waving arms and legs, and wiggling body.

• Head is able to turn from side to side.

• Grasp is usually strong.

• Your baby is able to straighten his/her arms, legs and body.

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Vision

• Your baby is able to focus, follow and maintain eye contact with you.

• He/she will turn eyes and/or head to soft light or moving object.

• He/she likes patterns and curves but prefers the human face.

• He/she may enjoy following a bright toy or a hanging object.

• He/she will look away when tired.

• Your baby still has poor eye control; eyes may appear crossed at times.

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Hearing

•  May be startled by loud noises.

•  May turn head and/or eyes toward sound.

•  May block out irritating sounds or sounds that are frequently heard.

•  Likes the human voice.

•  Knows mother’s voice.

• Allow your baby to experience various sounds like bells, rattles and music boxes.

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Feeding

• The pattern of suck, swallow and breathing, which is needed for nipple feeding, is strong and well-coordinated.

• The gag reflex, which keeps the baby from choking, is complete.

• The rooting reflex is strong.

• Infant may tire quickly when feeding.

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Touching

• A gentle touch may be relaxing.

• Enjoys being covered, wrapped or contained.

• Knows the difference between pleasurable and painful touch.

• If your baby is very sick, too much touching may be irritating.

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Behavior

• Your baby sleeps approximately 75 percent of the time but is able to wake up on own and remain alert for several minutes.

• When awake, your baby may be actively moving or remain laying quiet.

• He/she may show distinct periods of attention or interest to stimuli.

• He/she enjoys social contact.

• Crying is used to signal a need or to show pain, discomfort or hunger.

• Your baby can often quiet or calm self.

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Things To Do For Your Baby

• Hold your baby with arms and legs pulled up close to face and abdomen.

• Encourage your baby to bring hands to mouth.

• Let your baby grasp your finger.

• Support your baby’s head.

• Hold your baby close to your body and use different positions when holding.

• Place in soft pumpkin seat for short periods of time.

• Position your baby so eyes are shaded from bright lights to encourage eye opening.

• Watch for approach signals so your baby will be alert and ready for contact.

• Hold your baby about 8-12 inches from your face for better infant focusing.

• Show objects that have different patterns, such as black and white.

• May become tired trying to focus on you; watch for time-out signals.

• Talk, sing or read stories in a soft voice.

• Record and play soothing music or record voices of family members for your baby to hear.

• Call your baby by name.

• Change voice tones when speaking.

• Project your voice on both sides of your baby’s head to encourage turning toward the sound and searching for the sound.

• Breast-or bottle-feed when possible.

• Gently rub top, bottom and sides of mouth to elicit the rooting reflex.

• Shield your baby’s eyes from bright lights during feeds.

• Offer a pacifier.

• Use your baby’s signals to guide touching and holding.

• Encourage your baby to touch different textures, including fabrics, toys and skin.

• Encourage your baby to learn about his/her own body by touching baby’s hand to hand, hand to head, hand to knee or foot and foot to foot. Bath time may provide a good opportunity for learning.

• Learn about kangaroo care. This is when mom or dad holds the baby on their chest with the baby’s skin next to theirs.

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"I’m Overwhelmed" Behaviors (see "I’m Overwhelmed" Behaviors Section)

These behaviors may mean your baby is stressed and needs a rest.

• Change in breathing pattern

• Change in heart rate

• Change in color

• A worried face

• Frowning

• Limp posture

• Looking away

• Frantic movements

• Tremors or startles

• Widening of fingers

• Arching posture

• Closing eyes

• Yawning

• Hiccups

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"I'm Ready" Behaviors (see "I'm Ready" Behaviors section)

These behaviors may mean your baby is ready for interaction.

• Awake and quiet

• Bright and shiny eyes

• Focused attention (looking)

• Making cooing sounds

• Decrease in activity

• Sucking movements

• Face, arms and legs relaxed

• Turning toward sound

• Fingers curled