The Newborn Infant

Newborn Appearance Neonates (newborns): Usually between 6 lbs and 9lbs. High forehead and flat nose. Blue eyes (that may change to dark brown, light brown, green, clear blue, or grey). Head is ¼ of entire body.

Neonates Assessment Scale APGAR scale, developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952, is used to assess the condition of newborns.

Reflexes Rooting and sucking: baby demonstrates and innate ability to search for, and latch onto, the nipple. Grasping: baby has a very strong grip and will grip anything that touches its palm (perhaps even while sleeping). Startle: beginning at 6 months, when scared by a sudden noise/movement, baby will extend arms and hands outwards, and likely cry. Rage: baby will cry and struggle when its movement is limited (esp. head movement) and when its airway is blocked. This prevents the occurence of accidental smothering.

Sensory Changes Babies have highly developed senses when they are born. They can: Recognize mother’s voice Differentiate smells While babies can see, their vision is limited at birth, and will improve over the course of several weeks. Babies used to be thought-of as “animate vegetables”, meaning that they were alive, but did not have developed senses at birth. We now know this is not the case. Babies are amazing learners, whose brains are like sponges, ready to absorb all that is going on around them.

Attachment Theory Attachment refers to a very close and affectionate bond between an infant and a care-giver. The bond us usually formed with the mother, however, it can be just as strong with a highly involved father. Failure to thrive involves babies not developing (growing) or even dying due to a lack of attachment.

Harry Harlow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsA5Sec6dAI Food or Security? Harlow's study on monkeys' attachment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsA5Sec6dAI In 1966, Harlow provided baby rhesus monkeys with two mother options: one wire-framed with a bottle, the other with a comfortable cloth surrounding its wire frame. The babies went to the bottle only for feeding and would choose to spend the majority of their time (several hours) with the “comforting” mother.

John Bowlby During the 1960s and 1970s: -Bowlby established connections between infant behavior and the behaviors of parents. -Smiling and clinging are examples of baby behavior that resulted in adult soothing and comforting. -Bowlby also noted stages of separation behavior demonstrated by infants/children (8 months to 3 years old). Protest- crying and searching Despair- child becomes quiet Detachment- child withdraws as though cut-off from world

Regression When children have gone through separation, they may revert back to earlier stages of attachment. e.g. bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, or wanting a bottle. (may make them feel more comfortable, by reminding them of a time when they felt more secure)

Mary Ainsworth -infants require a “secure base” from which to begin their exploration of the world. -children had varying responses when a parent returned after being away. 1) Secure Infants: were comfortable with parents and sometimes sought contact. 2) Anxious Avoidant Infants: turned away and avoided their parents’ touch. 3) Anxious Ambivalent Infants: showed resistance or anger when their parents returned. The Strange Situation- Mary Ainsworth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTsewNrHUHU

Trust and Attachment The best way for parents to foster attachment is to create a sense of trust with their children, by responding to their needs. Needs are typically voiced in the form of a cry. When a newborn cries and a care-giver responds, the baby learns that the world is a safe, loving place. This is essential for lifelong social and emotional development. Lesson: Always respond to a baby when it cries, because this will teach it to communicate well later in life.

Complete the “Checkpoint” questions Review Complete the “Checkpoint” questions (#1-3) on p. 271 of your textbook. Write in full sentences, and be prepared to share your answers with the class.