In my occupation of watching babies, I’ve noticed newborns actually reach for things that captivate them. My studies had earlier taught me that reaching is achieved by four-month-olds, but sure enough, newborns exhibit a sort of primal reach for just a few weeks which extinguishes and then comes back a few months later.
This newborn reach is something to see, but easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for. When a newborn is quietly alert, you can follow his gaze to see what he’s focused on. Then, if you look closely, you might see that his fingers, his toes, and even his lips may be pointed to the object of his study.
It’s no surprise this behavior occurs most often when the baby is within sight of the parent’s face. Newborns are most drawn to faces, and if her mother’s or father’s face is within her visual range, a newborn may reach or even swipe at that face to make contact.
Yesterday I saw another application of a newborn’s reach. I met Calvin for the first time, although it seems to me we’re old friends already. In Calvin’s short life, he’s “reached” into the hearts of many.
Calvin was born at 23 weeks gestation, making his survival uncertain. He received excellent care in a neonatal intensive care unit where his parents held steady vigil, living through many ups and downs which are the denizen of most micro-preemies. Many weeks later, Calvin is home and healthy, enjoying a mostly typical babyhood with his parents.
Now that he’s healthy, his parents have the luxury of reflecting on this journey. They’re astounded by the vast number of people who followed Calvin’s progress, offering support, prayers and help. Calvin’s parents were overwhelmed by encouragement from perfect strangers.
This tiny person connected a virtual army of supporters who’re genuinely interested in his development. They’re connected to him in an unlikely assemblage of folks who care deeply about this little person who began life weighing less than two pounds.
When I met Calvin and watched his wondering eyes, I had to marvel at what he’s already overcome with the support of caring people. The powerful “reach” of this one infant has touched the hearts of many, and his life is rich for their loving responses.
