Question

A mother asks the nurse to tell her about the responsiveness of neonates at birth.

Which of the following answers is appropriate?
1. "Babies have a poorly developed sense of smell until they are 2 months old."
2. "Babies can taste only salty and sour substances at birth."
3. "Babies are especially sensitive to being touched and cuddled."
4. "Babies are nearsighted with blurry vision until they are about 3 months of age.

Answer 1

The correct answer to a mother asking about the responsiveness of neonates at birth is that 'Babies are especially sensitive to being touched and cuddled.' Newborns have a well-developed sense of touch and smell but limited vision and hearing, which also help facilitate bonding with caregivers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The responsiveness of neonates at birth is impressive, with several senses already well-developed. Among the choices provided, the most appropriate answer to give the mother is that "Babies are especially sensitive to being touched and cuddled." This is because newborns have a well-developed sense of touch and often respond positively to physical contact such as soft stroking and cuddling. Moreover, newborns also have a strong sense of smell from birth, allowing them to distinguish between the scent of their mother and others. While their vision is the least developed of the senses, they can still recognize faces and prefer their mother's face and voice, which facilitates bonding and interaction with caregivers. Color perception does improve quickly after birth, but it is indeed limited in newborns, who cannot fully distinguish green, yellow, or blue. Hearing is another well-developed sense at birth, enabling newborns to recognize and find comfort in their mother's voice.