Ruskovilla-Baby in Wool - 2018

Babies develop at a rapid pace

Newborns experience the world with their whole body. The warmer the world around them is, the more comfortable they are. A baby’s sense of hearing develops quite far in the womb, and a baby can recognise his or her mother’s voice. Our natural tendency to use baby talk with our children is dictated by biology: babies enjoy slow, soft and quiet speech. The sense of taste and smell also develop fully in the womb, and a baby can recognise his or her mother by smell. Of the most impor- tant senses, it is only the sense of sight that does not begin to truly develop until the baby is outside of the womb; it is common for a newborn’s gaze to wander and stare. The most essential sense for a baby’s devel- opment is the sense of touch. You can never cuddle, caress, or hold a baby too much. Closeness, warmth and interaction with the parents are important for a baby’s develop- ment. This creates a basic sense of safety for the baby and makes him or her feel loved.

At home with baby 9