How to Stimulate a 1-Month-Old's Senses

Babies develop at an amazing rate. Their brains assimilate incoming sensory data every second they're awake. The process of synaptic pruning -- sloughing neurons to focus on the most appropriate synaptic pathways for each baby's environment -- actually begins prior to birth, but accelerates after birth. According to Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff of Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child, "All children are born wired for feelings and ready to learn." A 1-month-old baby can benefit from certain easy, repetitive activities that stimulate her five senses and facilitate the ongoing growth process.

Things You'll Need

  • Comfortable seating for playing sight games
  • Changing table or other designated safe changing area, such as a bed

Instructions

  1. Sight

    • 1

      Hold your wide-awake baby 8 to 12 inches away from your face. Young babies focus best at close distances. They like looking at human faces, movement and bright colors.

    • 2

      Look directly into his eyes and softly talk to him. Continue making gentle noises to help him focus on your face.

    • 3

      Play simple, repetitive movement games with him by bringing his forehead up to yours, then taking him back to a distance of about 1 foot, where he can refocus on you.

    Touch

    • 4

      Make the most of diaper-changing-time by investing in a moment of massage. Rub your baby's legs with gentle, circular hand motions.

    • 5

      Stroke her arms softly, applying light pressure from her shoulders to her fingertips.

    • 6

      Roll baby over and mildly knead her back.

    Taste and Smell

    • 7

      Feed your baby breast milk whenever possible. Your special scent and the slightly sweet taste of breast milk help him develop a bond that nurtures emotional development.

    • 8

      Hold your baby tightly when feeding him. If you are unable to breast feed him, ensure that as you feed him a bottle you hold him closely to you in the same position you would when breast feeding.

    • 9

      Request that all caretakers hold him tightly during feedings. Taste, smell and touch overlap greatly in a 1-month-old's new world and together they can engender the rise of trust.

    Hearing

    • 10

      Talk softly and often to your baby. She's already patterned to recognize your voice from her time in the womb.

    • 11

      Call to her when she wakes up crying; she'll most likely turn to the sound of your voice.

    • 12

      Sing simple songs to her. Babies focus on sounds they have heard repeatedly. A special song that you sing daily to her will help her to calm down and be more responsive as she continues to develop.

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