1. Infant Growth and Development
Section 7.1
Infant Growth and Development

2. Influences on Growth and Development
Babies experience tremendous amount of physical growth and development in the first year
While babies typically follow same development patterns, they do so at their own rate
Growth and development are not the same thing
Growth refers to changes in size, such as weight and length
Development refers to increases and changes in physical, emotional, social, or intellectual skills

3. Influences on Growth and Development
Heredity
Genes provide a blueprint for the development of the human body and how it functions throughout life
Nutrition
Body needs essential nutrients to grow and develop
Health
Staying healthy is closely linked to other factors that influence growth and development
Environment
A stimulating environment promotes brain development
A stimulating environment is an environment in which a baby has a wide variety of things to see, taste, smell, hear, and touch

4. Growth During first Year
From birth to age one, babies typically triple their birth weight
Usually increase their length by about 50%
Weight
One of the best signs of good health
Length
In first year, physicians talk about length of baby rather than height
Steadily grow in the first year
Body Shape
Tend to hold themselves in a tightly curled position with their fists clenches, legs bent, and feet curved inward
Proportion
Compared to the rest of the body, a baby’s head and abdomen are large
The legs and arms are short and small

5. Development During first Year
Patterns of physical development
Three basic patterns
Head to foot
Control of body
Near to far
Close to the body and move outwards
Simple to complex
Large muscle groups to smaller

6. Development During first Year
Senses
Vision
At first eyesight is blurry and only sees world in two dimensions
By 6 months, has clarity and sharpness of the adult level
Hearing
Voices can dictate their emotions and reactions
Language development begins with hearing spoken words first, and then imitating and understanding them
Touch
At first, a baby may begin to notice different textures
As the ability to reach and grab objects develops, a baby uses touch for exploration
Smell and Taste
Does not have the opportunity to develop until after birth
Sense of smell develops within 10 days
Taste is one of the main ways they learn about their world

7. Development During first Year
Reflexes
A reflex is an instinctive, automatic response, such as grasping or sucking
Begin life with many reflexes to help them survive in the first weeks of life
The sucking reflex
The rooting reflex
Motor Skills
Gross motor skill is a skill that involves the large muscles of the body such as shoulders and legs
Turning their head, moving their arms, kick their legs
Fine motor skill involves the smaller muscles of the body such as those in the fingers
Clenching fists, picking up objects

9. Section 7.2
Caring for An Infant

10. Holding a Baby

11. Bedtime Routines and Sleep Patterns

12. Shaken baby Syndrome

13. Feeding an infant
Provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and develop, but so much more.
Opportunity for babies to interact with others, learn more about their world, and practice skills.
Great opportunity for parents to bond with child

14. Introducing solid foods
At about six months, solid foods can be introduced
Watery rice cereal first, then thin cereal and baby food of fruits and vegitables
After about eight months they can have half solid and half formula
By first birthday, most nutrition usually comes from solid foods

15. Infant Health and Wellness
Section 7.3
Infant Health and Wellness

16. Keeping Baby Clean Bathing a baby
Regular baths keep baby clean and healthy
Two types: sponge bath and tub bath
Infants should have sponge bath until the navel heals
Many parents use a portable bath in the sink
Around age two to three months, babies should have baths two to three times a week
By age seven to eight months, when most babies can sit up steadily in the bath, they tend to enjoy bath time

17. How to Bathe a Baby Prepare for the baby’s bath
Gather everything needed: towels, washcloths, shampoo, and other supplies. Fill about two inches with warm water and test water first
Put the baby in the tub
Support baby’s head and neck with one hand and arm while holding body with the other. Lower in feet first
Wash the baby’s face
Wash and rinse the baby’s hair
Wash the baby’s body
Dry the baby’s body
Wrap baby in clean towel immediately. Pat the baby dry, then diaper and dress baby right away
Cradle cap is a skin condition known for yellowish, crusty patches on the scalp. Most cases disappear after few weeks or months. Can treat with baby shampoo.

18. Diapering a Baby Most essential part of a baby’s wardrobe
Young baby may need diaper changes 12 to 15 times each day
Newborn wets several times an hour but in small amounts that don’t require changing each time
Common problem that occurs is diaper rash
Condition that includes patches of rough, red, irritated skin in the diaper area

19. Diaper Options
Personal choice whether to use disposable or cloth diapers
Some parents do both
Disposable diapers
More convenient
More effective at keeping babies dry and comfortable
Some babies develop sensitivity to disposable
Add significantly to environmental waste
Cloth diapers
Most economical choice if washed at home
Cost more than disposable if provided and cleaned by commercial diaper service
More environmentally friendly

20. How to Change a Diaper
Diaper changes are an opportunity for positive interaction by talking and laughing with the baby while changing diaper
Three basic steps
Remove the diaper and clean the baby
Put on a fresh diaper
Hold the baby’s ankles and lift body to slide diaper underneath. Then, bring the diaper up between the baby’s legs.
Dispose of used supplies

21. Teeth Development of baby’s teeth begins about sixth week of pregnancy
Baby’s teeth begin to break through the gums at about six months or later
First set of teeth called primary teeth
Complete set comes in by the time child is 20 months old
Can start teething as early as four months
Teething is the process of teeth pushing their way through the gums
Gums around the new teeth swell and become tender
During teething baby may become cranky, fuss during meals, drool a lot, develop a low-grade fever, and want to chew on something hard
Once baby’s teeth emerge it is a good idea to begin cleaning regularly

22. Infant Safety Concerns
Safety guidelines for infants
Choking: Keep floors clear of small objects such as buttons, coins, and safety pins. Do not feed solid foods until doctor says is safe
Suffocation: Soft, flexible objects that can cover infants nose and mouth may cause suffocation. Keep all plastic bags away from infants. Don’t leave stuffed animals or blankets in crib
Water: Never leave a baby alone near or in water. This includes water in a bucket, bathtub, or wading pool. Baby can drown in as little as one to two inches of water

23. Infant Safety Concerns
Safety guidelines for infants (continued)
Falls: Do not leave a baby alone on any raised area, including an adult bed or a changing table
Poisoning: Babies put everything into their mouths. Keep all medicines, household cleaners, paints and other poisonous substances in locked storage area
Burns: Never leave child alone around hot liquids, ovens, or iron. Use safety covers on all electrical outlets
Sun: Infants should wear sunglasses and hats with brim when outdoors. Avoid direct sunlight. Older than six months can wear sunscreen
Animals: Never leave child alone with an animal
Clothing: Very important clothes is flame resistant. Especially true for sleepwear. Check labels for information

24. Regular checkups First checkup usually occurs within a day of birth
Checkups often scheduled 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months
During exams doctor continues to track the baby’s growth and development, thoroughly examine and measure the baby, and respond to parents’ questions and concerns

25. Importance of immunizations
Immunization: A shot of a small amount of dead or weakened disease-carrying germ given so that the body
Vaccine: disease carrying germ that usually is injected in the body
One of most important ways caregivers can protect children against certain disease
Once immunized, body produces antibodies to fight off the germs for that disease

26. Watching for Illness Babies cannot say when they are not feeling well
Signs may include
Irritability
Important to watch for signs
Lack of energy
Constipation
Many illnesses do not require medication
Nasal congestion
Persistent coughing
Experts now feel that infants should fight off on their own to build stronger immune system
Diarrhea
Rashes
Vomiting
Fever

27. Videos
Baby Proofing
How to Change a Diaper
Bath to a Newborn