Cognitive
- Hearing is fully developed
- Focuses on large objects first; gradually can focus on smaller ones
- Born nearsighted; focuses best 8 to 15 inches away—the distance to your face during feeding
- Sensitive to bright light (closes eyes to keep light out)
- Prefers to look at simple patterns with sharp dark-light contrast and especially faces
Motor
- Jerky, mostly reflexive motions as the nervous system continues to develop
- Balls hands into fists when awake
- Can bring hands within range of face
- Can turn head to side when lying stomach-down
- Moro, or startle, reflex (on hearing a loud sound, throws back head, extends arms and legs, then cries and pulls them in—even the sound of her own cry can trigger this reflex!)
- Grasp reflex (grabs your finger when you touch her palm)
- Step reflex (when held upright with her feet touching a surface, she will seem to walk her legs)
- Not much neck strength yet (head flops back when unsupported)
Communication
- Hears well at birth
- May startle or cry at loud sounds; prefers low, rhythmic tones
- Cries when hungry, uncomfortable, sleepy, or sick
- Calms when spoken to
Social
- Eyes follow your movements
- Shows interest and looks at you when you speak
- May seem to recognize your voice
- Sensitive to nonverbal language (calmed by cuddling or rocking)
