Chapter 10: New Baby

Human Growth and Development Mrs. Kilgore

First Days of Parenthood• Mom and dad have to adjust to night

feedings, diaper changes and other needs.• Their home may be flooded with visits,

gives, and calls from friends and loved ones.

• Mom’s body is recovering.• New parents may feel overwhelmed.

New Baby

• Almost all new babies sound like they have a cold. They sniffle and sneeze a lot.

• Babies may look constipated. They strain when they have a bm. This is normal.

• Be aware of the baby’s soft spot or fontanels.

How the Newborn Looks

• Baby’s skin is blotchy and wrinkled• Head may be misshaped.• Ears are pressed to the head.• Eyebrows and eyelashes can barely be seen.• Chubby cheeks.• Note is flattened.• Head may seam oversized. • Legs are usually bowed.

What the Newborn Can Do

Can the baby see?• A newborn’s eyes are almost

always light in color.• Very sensitive to light.• Eyes focus best at a distance of 8-

12 inches.• Newborns prefer patterns to plain

colors.• Babies prefer moving objects to

stationary ones.

What the Newborn Can Do

Can the baby hear?• Hearing develops even before birth.• A fetus responds to loud noises

while still in the womb.• Babies can distinguish sounds but

do not understand what they mean.• Babies respond readily to the cries

of other babies.• Loud noises may startle baby and

cause them to cry.• Newborns like soft, rhythmic

sounds, like the sound of a heartbeat.

What the Newborn Can Do

Can the baby smell or taste?• Smell and taste are well developed at

birth.• A baby will soon recognize its mothers

smell.• By 2-3 days after birth a baby will turn

their head away from strong, unpleasant odors.

• Babies can tell the difference between flavors by 2-3 days.

• They will reject bitter taste and start sucking in response to a sweet flavor.

• Babies may make faces when sour flavors are placed on their tongues.

What the Newborn Can DoWhat the Newborn Can Do

Can the baby feel?• Newborns can sense changes in

temperature at birth.• Babies dislike being cold. This is

why many babies cry when being dressed/undressed.

• Newborns can also uses their sense of tough to distinguish textures.

• Infants can feel pain.• Sensitive to touch, respond quickly

to holding and cuddling.

The Newborn’s The Newborn’s ReflexesReflexes

*Reflexes are automatic reactions to stimuli.

Rooting reflex= when a baby’s cheek or mouth is touched, the baby turns toward the touch and begins rooting to find food.

Grasping reflex= newborn will grasp an object and will increase strength of grasp if object is pulled away (ex=finger).

The Newborn’s Reflexes

Babinski reflex= opposite of grasping reflex. When sole of foot is stroked, the newborns toes will extend upward and outward.

Moro or Startle reflex= when baby’s position changes quickly or a loud noise occurs. Baby will throw arms apart, spread fingers, extend legs, arch back, and throw head back.

Stepping reflex= when baby is held upright and the sole of the foot touches a surface, it will raise its foot.

Holding a NewbornHolding a Newborn• Newborns like to be held!• It makes them feel loved,

safe and secure.• Firmly support the infant’s

back and head.• Neck muscles are week so

a newborn’s head tends to roll about if not supported

• The neck spinal cord and brain are extremely vulnerable to uncontrolled movements.

Sleeping HabitsSleeping Habits• Newborns spend most of their time

sleeping.• As much as 18-20 hours a day.• Longest sleeping period is about five

hours.• Babies wake every few hours to be

fed.• By 5 months, most babies sleep

through the night.• As they sleep, newborns may smile or

make faces.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)(SIDS)

• Condition in which an infant dies suddenly in his/her sleep without any warning.

• Losing a baby to SIDS can devastate parents.

• SIDS is a major cause of death among infants 2 weeks-12 months.

• Babies of parents who smoke are at greater risk.

• Infants who sleep on their stomachs have a greater risk.

Feeding the NewbornFeeding the Newborn

A breast feeding mother should remember:

• Every substance that enters her body will affect breast milk.• Nursing mothers need 500 more

calories per day.• A newborn generally nurses

from 8-10 times daily, 20-30 minutes each feeding.

Feeding the NewbornFeeding the Newborn

A mother using formula should remember:

• Read the label carefully.• Check the expiration date!• Bottles should not be microwaved. This

can cause hot spots and burn baby.• Hold the baby in a semi upright

position.• Never prop the bottle or leave the baby

alone.• Discard any formula left from a feeding.

Feeding the NewbornFeeding the Newborn

• Self demand feeding= parents feed baby only when hungry.

• Scheduled feeding= parents only feed baby on a set schedule, no matter if baby is hungry.

• Babies should be burped once during each feeding and again after.

• Burping brings up any air baby may have swallowed while eating.

Bathing the NewbornBathing the Newborn• May not come easily for new parents.• Hospital staff usually train parents

before they go home.• Sponge baths until umbilical cord has

healed. • Have all supplies ready. Warm water,

not hot!• Cradle cap= scaly, crust on scalp.

Thoroughly wash and rinse scalp daily.• Never leave a baby alone in a tub,

even for a minute!!!

Diaper Duty!Diaper Duty!• A newborn’s most important need is

diapers!• Newborns can use 12-15 diapers

daily.• Cloth vs. disposable…what do you

think?• Diaper rash= skin rash caused by

bacteria that builds up on warm, moist skin.

• Cleanliness is the key to preventing diaper rash!

When Baby CriesWhen Baby Cries• Crying is the only way babies can

communicate.• Infants cry when they need

something: food, comfort, a clean diaper.

• A hunger cry starts slowly and builds to a loud demand.

• A cry for attention is a fussy, whimpering cry. Becomes louder if ignored!

• A cry of pain begins as a sudden, shrill scream followed by a brief silence and then several short gasps.

• Colic= sever and intermittent abdominal pain that causes babies to cry continuously. They may seem inconsolable.

Husband & Wife as ParentsHusband & Wife as Parents• New parents soon realize their lives will

never be the same! “The honeymoon is over.”

• Reassign household tasks and chores.• Schedules and routines will have to be

adjusted. • Parents may have difficulty finding time

for themselves…less “me” time for hobbies.

• Find a balance between work & family.• Stick to a budget! Financial strain can

cause marital stress.• Make time to nurture your relationship

with your spouse…date night!• Spend time with older children to reassure

them that they are loved!

Managing StressManaging Stress• Some parents may have physical

symptoms of stress: too much sleep, not enough sleep, irritable, angry, others are withdrawn and sad.

• Expect to learn new skills as you go. No one knows everything as a first time parent!

• Ask experienced parents for advice.• Most babies fuss…you aren't doing

anything wrong if your baby cries.• Focus on the joys of having a baby!

They grow up so fast .