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Babies this age are honing all five senses, understanding and learning more and more from what they see, hear, and feel.
Babies this age can see much farther away (several feet or more) than just a few months ago. They usually can focus without going cross-eyed and can tell the difference between different colors.
Your baby is becoming much more aware of the environment. He or she can now follow the course of a rolling ball and watch the quick movements of an older sibling playing nearby. You may see your baby staring in concentration while holding a toy or studying his or her own hands. Hand-eye coordination is improving, so watch as your little one stares for a while at an object, then slowly reaches out to get it.
Help improve your baby's sight skills with these tips:
Hearing is crucial to developing the ability to talk, and now your baby is beginning to pick out the parts of speech.
When younger, your baby understood your meaning through the tone of your voice: soothing tones made your baby stop crying; agitated tones meant something was wrong. Now, your baby can hear and pick up on the different sounds you make and the way words form sentences. In the next few months, your baby will respond to "no" and recognize and respond to his or her own name.
Babies this age also are cooing and may start to babble and make more attempts to imitate sounds. Make no mistake, these are your baby's early attempts at speaking and should be encouraged as much as possible. So repeat sounds you hear your baby making and introduce simple words that apply to everyday life. Have "conversations" with your baby and wait for a pause in the babble to "answer." The give-and-take of these early discussions sets the stage for your baby's first real words.
Your doctor may suggest the addition of solid foods to your baby's diet around this time. If so, introduce one new item at a time and wait several days before trying something else new. This will help you pinpoint any food allergies that may happen, and also discover which tastes your baby likes best.
While babies naturally favor sweet tastes, you'll want your baby to be exposed to a variety of foods. It may take several tries before your baby starts to enjoy a new food, so don't give up after the first or second attempt if he or she doesn't seem to like it.
Babies learn about the world through touch. When you cuddle or kiss your baby, your baby learns that he or she is safe, secure, and loved. When your baby feels a cool breeze on the cheek, he or she learns about the environment.
The opportunities for exercising your baby's sense of touch at this age are endless, even during the course of a regular day. Your baby will enjoy toys and books with different textures. See if your baby likes to touch the silky trim of the baby blanket, or feel the texture of a carpet. Let him or her safely explore surroundings.
Don't forget how important the feel of a gentle caress or a tender kiss is, and hold your baby when you are able.
In the next few months, your baby should be responding to more and more sights and sounds. Talk to your doctor if your baby doesn't seem to:
Also speak to your doctor if your baby's eyes seem very sensitive to light or tear up often. An eye exam may be necessary if you have a family history of eye diseases or vision problems.
You'll also want to discuss with your doctor any concerns you have about your baby's hearing. Warning signs of hearing problems to look for include:
When caught early, many vision and hearing problems can be treated successfully, so be sure to report any concerns you have to your doctor.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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