HOW INFANTS GROWGrowth: 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 NEWBORNThe brain is one fourth

of its future adult size.The head is ¼ the size of

the bodyForehead is wider than

the chinLower jaw is small and

recedingAverage 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 PATTERNSThe head grows the fastest and

matures the earliestGrowth 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 MONTHSAverage weight: 12 lbs.

Average length: 24 in.

Face and body fill out

THE INFANT: SIX MONTHSAverage 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.

TEETHINGTeething 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 BIRTHDAYAverage weight: 22

lbs.Average height: 29 in.Length has increased

by 50% Weight has tripled

since birth!Limbs have lengthen.

INFANT TO TODDLERTHE 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 underthe influence of geneticmaturation, however, the child'senvironment is critical. Infantsneed quality nutrition, healthcare, interaction, tenderness,touch and novelty in ordermaximize their abilities andpotential. Infant development isthe foundation for their whole life.