THE NEWBORN

Chapter 5

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)

Growth Cephalocaudal growth: from head

outwards

See chart page 87

Proximodistal growth: from center outward

OBSERVABLE BEHAVIORS

Sleeping Crying Eating Reflexes (Looking)

Each child has unique patterns due to biology, culture, socioeconomic class, etc.

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

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 baby’s crying increases the child’s ability to communicate

FEEDING

Breastfeeding V bottle feeding

Use of formula in underdeveloped areas

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

HABITUATION Exploration stops and baby’s 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

NEONATAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT SCALE

Comprehensive test for newborns to study basic behaviors, reflexes, responses to stimuli, and soothability

Helps detect neurological problems

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

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”