It’s science: 5 ways to awaken baby’s senses in the womb

Just because the world isn’t lucky enough to see or hear your baby yet doesn’t mean she can’t see or hear the world!

Baby’s five senses begin developing in the womb, and the proper development of these senses may depend on the stimuli baby is exposed to as a fetus. Already starting to worry about providing your child with developmentally appropriate stimulation?Worry not, mama!

Chances are, when your baby is in the womb, the everyday stimulation of taking a walk outside or practically inhaling that dim sum for lunch is all baby really needs to develop functioning sensory organs. In fact, too much stimulation may be just as harmful as not enough.

If you want that perfect balance to promote healthy development in utero, these ideas for exciting baby’s senses are a great place to start.

Hearing

Babies begin listening to mama and her surroundings around week 16.

Babies can remember words and stories they heard in the womb after they are born, and they even show a preference for your voice, mama! Establish good habits by reading books to your soon-to-be babe. They may get a kick out of it—and you might just get one, too! As for music, simply allow your baby to listen in to your grooves. Exposing those little ears to loud or close-range sounds, like placing headphones on your belly, may increase the risk of auditory damage.

Taste

At 21 weeks, your wee babe can taste flavors present in amniotic fluid. These flavors originate from your diet, mama, and can contribute to baby’s preferences for foods after birth. That’s right: Eating a varied, nutritious diet during pregnancy can improve baby’s health in utero and may lead to long-term healthy development as well!

Smell

Much like taste, baby can pick up on smells in amniotic fluid from the foods you eat and the aromas you smell starting around 20 weeks. Research in newborns indicates an inborn preference for yummy smells, such as colostrum (the first milk your breasts produce) and vanilla, and an aversion to harsh smells, such as detergents and disinfectants. Next time you bake cupcakes, take a moment to enjoy the aroma of the vanilla and cocoa. Or take a trip to a flower shop just to explore the scent-sations! We also recommend keeping household chores involving cleaning products to a minimum. (“Oh, honey, after you pick up the ice cream, would you mind wiping down the kitchen counters? Thanks…”)

Sight

By week 16, your baby’s eyes are developed enough to detect light from the outside world. To promote healthy visual development, focus on eating nutritious foods high in vitamin A and avoiding cigarette smoke, which can impair visual development. Although the darkness of the uterus doesn’t exactly make it a womb with a view, sunlight is bright enough to penetrate your skin and shed some light on baby. Recent research tells us that exposure to sunlight in utero can help visual development. Just one more reason to take a quiet, leisurely stroll in the sun with your growing baby.

Touch

Starting around week 19 (some would argue as early as week eight), your little bean is sensitive to tactile stimulation.

However, little evidence indicates that baby feels much of what goes on in the outside world while growing in the womb. You may instinctively place a hand on your belly as your squirmy babe kicks you in the bladder, but there’s no telling if baby can really feel your attempts at comfort. That makes it all the more important to offer tactile comfort as soon as you can once baby is born. Kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact, after birth is highly beneficial for baby’s physiological regulation, attachment, breastfeeding, sleep and more. Plus, it is just so nice cozying up next to that tiny little person you have been dreaming about for the past nine months.

Bonus: Can babies feel sunlight in the womb?

Traditionally, we’ve associated sunlight with the production of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health, both for the mother and the developing fetus. However, recent research suggests that sunlight may have additional direct effects on the skin and overall pregnancy health.

A groundbreaking study conducted at the Edinburgh Centre between 2008 and 2021 revealed intriguing findings about the potential benefits of sunlight during pregnancy. The study explored the relationship between sun exposure, placental health, and the risk of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, premature birth, and stillbirth. Contrary to popular belief, the study indicated that the positive effects of sunlight on pregnancy outcomes may not be solely attributed to vitamin D.

Unraveling the Sunlight-Placenta Connection

The researchers behind the study examined data from over 550,000 births, cross-referencing it with weather data to determine the mothers’ likely UV light exposure during pregnancy. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) light, a type of radiation that, in high doses, can be damaging. However, the study found that moderate sun exposure was associated with positive outcomes in pregnancy.

1. Weight at Birth: The number of hours spent in the sun correlated with an increase in birth weight. Babies born to mothers who had more sun exposure tended to have higher birth weights, which is generally considered a positive indicator of fetal health.
2. Preterm Birth: The study also revealed a connection between sunlight and a decreased risk of preterm birth. Mothers who received more sun exposure during pregnancy were less likely to experience preterm labor, giving their babies a greater chance to fully develop before entering the world.

These findings emphasize the potential benefits of sunlight during pregnancy and prompt further investigation into the mechanisms underlying the sunlight-placenta connection.

Shining a Light on Clinical Studies

To further investigate their initial findings, the research team conducted a clinical study involving 19 women in the second trimester of pregnancy. The women were divided into two groups: one exposed to 30 minutes of UV light and another exposed to “fake” radiation, where their skin was shielded from UV light using foil blankets.

1. Blood Pressure Reduction: Both groups experienced a decrease in blood pressure, but the reduction was greater in the group exposed to UV light. This suggests that sunlight may have a direct effect on blood pressure regulation during pregnancy.

These results are promising and open up new possibilities for using artificial UV light as a potential treatment for lowering blood pressure in pregnant women and preventing conditions like pre-eclampsia. However, further research is needed to fully understand the effects of UV light and its influence on fertility.

The Importance of Sunlight for Healthy Pregnancy

Sunlight plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, and its benefits extend to pregnancy. The research discussed above highlights the potential positive impact of moderate sun exposure on placental health, birth weight, and the risk of preterm birth. However, it’s important to strike a balance and be mindful of sun safety precautions to prevent overexposure and the associated risks.

FAQ Section:

1. Can babies hear sounds while in the womb?

• Yes, babies begin to hear sounds, including their mother’s voice and other environmental sounds, around week 16 of pregnancy. Research suggests they can even remember words and stories they heard before birth.

2. How can I stimulate my baby’s sense of sight during pregnancy?

• To promote healthy visual development, focus on eating nutritious foods high in vitamin A and avoiding cigarette smoke, which can impair visual development. Additionally, exposure to sunlight during pregnancy may positively impact visual development.

3. What role does taste play in a baby’s development in utero?

• By around 21 weeks, babies can taste flavors in the amniotic fluid originating from the mother’s diet. Eating a varied, nutritious diet during pregnancy can contribute to the baby’s preferences for foods after birth and promote healthy development.

4. Can babies smell in the womb?

• Yes, babies can pick up on smells in the amniotic fluid from their mother’s foods and the aromas she smells starting around 20 weeks. Research indicates an inborn preference for certain smells, such as colostrum and vanilla, and an aversion to harsh smells.

5. How can I provide tactile stimulation for my baby in the womb?

• While there’s limited evidence that babies can feel external stimuli in the womb, providing tactile comfort as soon as possible after birth is essential, Skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo care, offers numerous benefits for the baby’s physiological regulation, attachment, breastfeeding, and sleep.

6. Is sunlight exposure beneficial for babies in the womb?

• Yes, moderate sunlight exposure during pregnancy has been associated with positive outcomes, such as increased birth weight and a reduced risk of preterm birth. However, striking a balance and practicing sun safety precautions to prevent overexposure is crucial.

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