Every minute that they're awake, babies take in the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the world around them.

Babies can focus on shapes that are close by, but see distant objects as blurry because they are nearsighted. As babies grow, eyesight improve. Human faces are one of their favorite things to look at, especially their own or a parent's face.

Your baby's color vision is also developing, so brightly colored wall hangings or toys will help develop your little one's ability to distinguish color.

Your baby has also been hearing sounds since way back in the womb. Mother's heartbeat, the gurgles of her digestive system, and even the sounds of her voice and the voices of other family members are part of a baby's world before birth.

Once your baby is born, the sounds of the outside world come in loud and clear. Your baby may startle at any unexpected noise.

Your newborn should have a hearing screening before being released from the hospital. If not, or if your baby was born at home or a birthing center, it's important to have a hearing screening as soon as possible. Most children who are born with a hearing loss can be diagnosed through a hearing screening.