Helping Your Preterm Baby Develop Their Senses

Most families don’t expect their baby to be born early. The intensive care unit can be overwhelming for both you and your baby. This information will help you understand your baby and get involved in their care.

Life inside the womb

The womb is a good place for babies to grow and develop. It has:

• Amniotic fluid, which holds and protects the baby, and allows for movements like sucking fingers. It also gives the baby a sense of their mother’s taste and smell.

• Protection from loud noises and bright lights.

• Comforting sounds from the mother’s heartbeat and voice.

The development of a baby’s senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch) occurs in a certain order:

• Touch develops during the first trimester (0-13 weeks).

• Smell and taste develop during the second trimester (13-26 weeks).

• Hearing develops towards the end of the second trimester (13-26 weeks).

• Vision is the slowest to develop. It happens in the third trimester (26-40 weeks) and continues after birth.

When babies are born early, their senses continue to develop after birth. Let your baby know you are present by focusing on one of their senses at a time. It’s important to give your baby the chance to get to know you through:

Touch

Babies are very sensitive to touch. Here are some tips for using touch to help your baby:

• Use constant touch instead of stroking or massaging.

• Gently mold one hand around the top of your baby’s head and one to the bottoms of their feet. This will feel similar to the way they were in the womb.

• Use skin-to-skin holding (kangaroo care) as soon as your baby’s nurse says they are ready. This is good for both you and your baby.

• Put your finger in your baby’s hand so they can grasp it.

• Create a routine by always touching your baby the same way when you greet them.

Taste and smell

Your baby uses these senses to get to know you while in the womb, and they can continue to use them in the hospital:

• Tuck a cloth into your shirt so it smells like you and leave it with your baby.

• Offer your baby a pacifier. You may need to help hold it until they are closer to term (40 weeks). Stop if they show signs of distress.

• When your healthcare team says it is okay, offer your baby a pacifier dipped in breast milk or formula to suck during feeding times.

• If you are choosing to breastfeed, and your healthcare team says it is okay, let your baby suckle at your breast.

Hearing

Your baby gets to know your voice in the womb. Talking to your baby after they are born helps them grow and feel safe. The ICU can be loud, so try to limit extra sounds:

• Talk or sing softly to your baby.

• Reading is a good way to let your baby hear your voice.

• White noise machines and music are best for after term age and should be limited.

• Loud noises may startle your baby.

Vision

This is the last sense to develop and needs the most protection. Your baby’s eyes may still be closed at birth. Babies usually need to be awake and calm for a while before they start using their eyes. Protect your baby’s eyes by:

• Keeping lights dim.

• Covering the isolette with a blanket until at least 32-weeks gestational age.

• Shielding the baby’s eyes with your hands or a blanket when you are with them.

• When your baby’s eyes are open, let them look at your face first when you approach.

• When your baby moves into a crib they might be ready to look at toys.

Remember, we are here to help care for your baby, but the most important person in their life is you!

Reviewed July 2024 by Casey Hoffman, PhD