THE NEWBORN

1
THE NEWBORN

• Chapter 5

2
NEONATAL PERIOD

• First 2 weeks after birth
• Emotional attachment between newborn and
  caretaker are crucial
• Disruption of bonding can cause long-term
  emotional problems (illness, low birth weight,
  adoption, depression, etc)

3
Growth

• Cephalocaudal growth from head outwards
• See chart page 87
• Proximodistal growth from center outward

4
OBSERVABLE BEHAVIORS

• Sleeping
• Crying
• Eating
• Reflexes
• (Looking)
• Each child has unique patterns due to biology,
  culture, socioeconomic class, etc.

5
SLEEP/WAKE CYCLES

• Neonates take short naps around the clock
• Variations in patterns are due to birth weight,
  interactions with caretakers, culture, genetics,
  age and experience of mother
• Calm babies appear to learn faster
• Babies require more REM sleep than adults

6
CRYING

• Crying is first communication of some need
• In general, babies who are held more, cry less
  (beginning at about 6 months)
• In general, caregiver responsiveness to the
  babys crying increases the childs ability to
  communicate

7
FEEDING

• Breastfeeding V bottle feeding
• Use of formula in underdeveloped areas

8
REFLEXES

• Newborn movements are jerky, unplanned, not
  purposeful
• Reflexes rooting, sucking, grabbing, Moro,
  walking
• Weak refelxes can be a sign of problems
• genetic, nutritional,low birth weight,
  developmental

9
HABITUATION

• Exploration stops and babys attention moves
  elsewhere as s/he becomes habituated to a
  stimulus
• Key to Good Infant Care keep consistency in the
  environment and schedule with small changes to
  keep infants engaged
• Different babies have different tolerances for
  change and stimulation

10
NEONATAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT SCALE

• Comprehensive test for newborns to study basic
  behaviors, reflexes, responses to stimuli, and
  soothability
• Helps detect neurological problems

11
PREMIE/LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

• Premature babies are born 3 weeks before due
  date
• Low birth weight below 5.5 lbs
• African-Americans are 13 more likely to have low
  birth weight babies, even adjusting for
  socioeconomic class
• See Chart page 101

12
SYNCHRONY

• Parents (and caretakers) learn to be guided in
  their actions by the behavior of their baby as
  well as by their own desires and needs
• joining the dance of the newborn