Growth: an increase in size and weight

Infancy is a time of rapid growth. Cognitive, physical, and social developmental changes are very evident. While there is variation in the rate of growth, most infants follow a similar pattern of development from month to month.

THE NEWBORN The brain is one fourth of its future adult size. The head is ¼ the size of the body Forehead is wider than the chin Lower jaw is small and receding Average weight: 7.5 lbs. Average length: 20 in.

FONTANELS The skull consists of 5 thin, curved, bony plates that are held together by fibrous material called sutures. These sutures allow a baby's skull to expand with the growing brain.. The sutures gradually harden to join the skull bones together. The spaces where sutures meet are called soft spots or fontanels

GROWTH PATTERNS The head grows the fastest and matures the earliest Growth occurs first in the neck and then the torso. It continues from the infant’s body outward (arms and then hands) and downward (legs and feet). Body proportions change rapidly. By age 2, the head is 1/5 the body size and by age 6, the head is 1/6 the body size. As the child grows, the relative sizes of the head and trunk decrease and the limbs lengthen.

THE INFANT: THREE MONTHS Average weight: 12 lbs. Average length: 24 in. Face and body fill out

THE INFANT: SIX MONTHS Average weight: 16 lbs Average length: 26 in. Lower front teeth appear between 5-9 months The fontanels on the top of the skull begins to close.

TEETHING Teething is a process in which the first set of teeth, called primary teeth, erupt and break through the gums. Although the timing for each child varies, most babies get their first tooth between the ages of 6 and 8 months. Upper front teeth usually begin to appear by 8 to 12 months.

THE FIRST BIRTHDAY Average weight: 22 lbs. Average height: 29 in. Length has increased by 50% Weight has tripled since birth! Limbs have lengthen.

INFANT TO TODDLER THE ONE-YEAR OLD Fontanels are disappearing or gone. The brain is now ¾ of it’s final adult size Body is longer and thinner. Head is smaller proportion of length.

BABY’S REQUIRE SO MUCH! Much of this growth is under the influence of genetic maturation, however, the child's environment is critical. Infants need quality nutrition, health care, interaction, tenderness, touch and novelty in order maximize their abilities and potential. Infant development is the foundation for their whole life.