While in this state, which usually lasts about 40 minutes, a baby will follow a red ball, imitate his holder's facial movements and respond to voices. All of his energy seems to be focused on seeing, hearing and responding. Most babies spend about 10 percent of each day in this receptive state, searching to understand the world. During the active alert state, a baby makes frequent movements and small sounds, and looks about the room. This state often signals when a baby is hungry.
Babies enter a drowsy state when they are waking up or falling asleep.
Their eyes take on a dull, glazed appearance and usually do not focus. During the newborn period, infants sleep about 90 percent of the time, alternating in 30 minute intervals between quiet and active sleep. In the active sleep state, an infant's eyes are usually closed, but occasionally they will flutter from closed to open. In the crying state, babies often communicate discomfort or hunger. However, parents who pick up their crying babies and hold them against their shoulders are giving them a chance to quiet down and learn about the world by scanning the room.