Growth During 1 st Year

1. Growth During 1st Year

2. Babies generally triple their birth weight in the first year Slight weight loss after birth then a steady gain. 1st 6 mths - 1-2 lbs/mth. next 6 mths 1 lb/mth Average 1 year old weighs between 20-22lbs Weight

3. Length / Height - average newborn - 51 cm - steady growth in the first year a result of rapid bone growth - average 1 year old – 76 cm - heredity has more influence on height than weight

4. The size relationship between different body parts. Compared to the rest of the body, a baby’s head and abdomen are large and the legs and arms are short and small. Proportion

5. A babies head grow rapidly during the first year to accommodate the swiftly developing brain • More than half of the total growth of the head occurs during this time • Fontanels allow the head to grow, they later close up permanently

6. Development During 1st Year

7. Blurry at birth 1 month – can focus 6 months – eyesight reaches clarity and sharpness of an adult Vision

8. Depth Perception • The ability to recognize 3 dimensional objects • 2nd month • Allows children to track movement and reach for objects by judging distance

9. Hearing • Develops before birth. • At birth can recognize the direction sound comes from • Soothing voice will calm them • Startled by loud or angry voices • 7 mths – can identify voices • Language development relies on hearing

10. Smell and Taste • Newborns respond to odors • At 10 days baby can notice smell of mom • At 2 weeks baby can taste differences • At an early age babies show a preference for sweet

11. Voice • Newborn’s cry is shrill, but becomes softer as their lungs mature. • Change results from the physical growth of the throat muscles, tongue, lips, teeth and vocal cords • Babies prepare for speech by making word related sounds

12. Teeth Development of baby teeth begin 6th week of pregnancy. “Primary teeth” or baby teeth appear at 6-7 months. Teething is normal but painful. Some babies refuse food and drool a lot. Lasts up to two years. 20 primary teeth. Tooth Care • Infant’s mouth should be cleaned with a damp piece of gauze after each feeding.

13. Motor Skills • The abilities that depend on the use and control of muscles. • Two basic types of motor skills • Gross motor skills • Large muscles – legs, shoulders • Large movements – jumping and running • Fine motor skills • Smaller muscles – fingers • Small precise movements – using scissors

14. At birth, babies have little or no control over their muscles • Most movements are reflexes

15. Reflexes • Newborns are born with reflexes to help them survive their first several weeks • Sucking reflex – stimulated when something is put in their mouth • Rooting reflex – stroking the babies cheek • Others • Shutting eyes under bright lights • Grabbing fingers • Stepping motion when feet touch the floor • Most go away when babies learn to control their muscles

16. Hand Eye Co-ordination • The ability to move the hands and fingers precisely in relation to what is seen. • Very poor in newborns but develops as vision and motor skills improve • At 3 or 4 months, babies can reach, grab and put things in their mouth.