Prenatal Development: What Babies Learn in the Womb

• Month 1–2: Basic organs and brain begin forming; the heartbeat starts.

• Month 3: Reflexes appear — the baby can move slightly though the mother can’t feel it yet.

• Month 4: The baby reacts to touch; facial features and limbs become distinct.

• Month 5: Hearing develops — the baby starts to sense sounds and the mother’s heartbeat.

• Month 6: The baby responds to voices and music; taste buds are active.

• Month 7: Memory begins — the baby can recognize familiar sounds and rhythms.

• Month 8: Sensory systems mature; the baby reacts to light, sound, and movement.

• Month 9: The baby practices breathing, strengthens muscles, and prepares for birth.

In essence: each month adds new sensory and learning abilities — by the end, babies can hear, remember, and respond to the world outside the womb.