1. Chapter 7: Physical Development of Infants
Parenting and Child Development
Chapter 7: Physical Development of Infants

2. Section 7-1: Infant Growth and Development
Essential Question:
In what ways does a baby grow and change during the first year of life?
Describe factors that influence the baby’s growth and development.

3. Patterns of Development
Head to Foot
Near to Far
(center out)
Big muscles to small muscles
Head up – sitting - walking
Simple to
Complex
More refined
Coloring – big muscle to small muscles

4. Influences on Growth and Development
Heredity
Health
Healthier children are more active
Nutrition
Environment
Height/weight
Muscle Growth
Brain Development
Wellness
Negative: secondhand smoke
Stimulating: Opportunities to Learn
Experiences

5. Growth During The First Year
Weight
Length
Birth weight triples by age 1
Birth length increases by about 50% by age 1
Body Shape
Proportion
Babies gradually stretch out arms and legs, uncurl fingers
Head and abdomen are large, arms and legs are short and small

6. Development During The First Year
Vision
Blurry at birth, clear at 6 months
Depth perception = 2 months
Blurry at birth, clear at 6 months
Hearing
Babies can hear before birth.
Respond to tone of voice
Can recognize voices at 7 months.
Development During The First Year

7. Smell Touch Taste Development During The First Year
Smell develops after birth
Parents’ touch builds trust
Baby reacts differently to different smells
Touch is how they explore their world
Taste
Taste develops rapidly
Babies can tell different tastes
They show preference for sweets

8. Voice Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills Fine Motor Skills
Development During The First Year
Voice
Baby’s crying changes as they get older
Motor Skills
Parents can tell what baby needs
Little muscle control at birth
Muscles develop quickly
Gross Motor Skills
Develop rapidly during first year
Uses large muscles – walking, running, jumping
Fine Motor Skills
Uses small muscles
Develops slowly during 1st year

9. Hand-Eye Coordination Reflexes
Development During The First Year
Hand-Eye Coordination
The ability to move hands and fingers precisely in relation to what is seen.
Newborn = very poor
3 – 4 months = bats at objects
1 year = can pick up object and move it
Reflexes
Instinctive, automatic responses
Sucking reflex
Rooting Reflex

10. Section 7-2: Infant Care Skills
Essential Question:
What does a parent or caregiver need to know to care for the physical needs of an infant?

11. Lifting a newborn:
Putting a newborn down:
Holding a newborn in your arms:
Holding a newborn against your chest:
Handling Babies
•Support head at all times
• Should be able to see over your shoulder
• Smoothly
• Gently
• Support sudden movements
• Support head and neck
• Cradle against your chest
• Lay child down completely before removing hands
• Maintain eye contact

12. When someone severely shakes a baby • Injury to neck and spine
SHAKEN
BABY
SYNDROME
Definition:
Affect on Baby:
When someone severely shakes a baby
Can cause:
•Brain Damage
• Broken Bones
• Injury to neck and spine
Avoid by:
Put baby in a safe place and walk away. Get someone else to help you. Call hotline.

13. Older babies need regular naps Newborns sleep when they need to
INFANT SLEEP
Older babies need regular naps
Newborns sleep when they need to
Some babies need more sleep than others
Keep crib safe – no stuffed animals, etc.
Sleep face up!

14. ______________________________ 6 – 8 months
Feeding Baby
When to introduce
new foods:
Birth – 6 months
______________________________
6 – 8 months
8 – 12 months
One food at a time
Mom’s milk or formula
May begin cereal at 5 – 6 months
No more than I new food every 3 days
Slowly introduce solid food
Continue formula
More solids. Begin to use cup
Continue formula/milk
Add finger foods when ready

15. Why Breast-Feed? Nutritional Needs: Baby Formula: Feeding Schedules
•Contains all nutrients needed
•Contains antibodies
•Convenient
•Easy to digest
•No germs
Formula or Breast milk; moving into solids after 6 months
Baby Formula:
•Based on either cow’s milk or soy milk
•Comes ready-to use, powdered, or concentrate
Feeding Schedules
Weaning:
•Newborns are unpredictable
•Smaller stomach = more feedings
•Most have a schedule by 3
months
•Around 12 months
•Stop bottle – drink from a cup
Burping
•2x during feeding
•Some may spit up

16. Dressing Baby General Tips Choosing Clothing •One layer more than you
•Be sure skin is protected from sun and cold
Choosing Clothing
Clothing should be:
Comfortable
Easy to Dress
Durable

17. Section 7-3: Infant Health and Wellness
Essential Question:
What must parents do to maintain their baby’s health and wellness during the first year?

18. BATHING BABY Newborn: ♦ Sponge bath until naval heals
♦ May develop Cradle Cap – crusty patches on scalp
BATHING BABY

19. Prepare for the baby’s bath.
BATHING BABY
Prepare for the baby’s bath.
Put the baby in the tub.
Wash the baby’s face.
Wash the baby’s body.
Dry the baby’s body.
♦Gather everything needed
♦ Support head and neck
♦ 2” water into tub
♦ Stay with baby at all times
♦ Undress baby
Wash and rinse the baby’s hair.
♦ Clear water
♦ 2 times / week
♦ Soft wash cloth
♦ Pour water toward sides to rinse
♦ Pat dry
♦ Wrap in clean towel immediately
♦ Support with one hand, wash and rinse with the other hand
♦ Pat dry
♦ Diaper and dress right away

20. Diapering Newborns: Diaper rash: Disposable diapers: Cloth diapers:
Plan head:
Designate a changing area
12 – 15 times each day
Have supplies handy
Prepare diaper bag for away from home outings
Common problem
Most economical choice
More convenient
Painful
May be required for daycare
More environmentally friendly
Expose to air
Avoid rubber pants

21. Diapering a Baby Remove the diaper and clean the baby.
Put on a fresh diaper
Dispose of used supplies.

22. Baby’s Teeth All primary teeth in by 20 months
“Baby teeth” appear at 6 months
Teeth form in 6th week of pregnancy
“Teething” is teeth pushing through the gums
Teething = drooling, cranky, fussy, feverish
Clean teeth once they appear

23. Usually done at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months
Regular Checkups
Some include immunizations – (Shots) = small amount of the disease = build resistance
Usually done at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months

24. Signs of illness in babies:
Irritability
Lack of Energy
Constipation
Nasal congestion
Persistent Cough
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Don’t hesitate to call the doctor if several of these symptoms are present.