Growth and development of

infant

“infant” is derived from the Latin

word, “infans”, meaning “unable to

speak”

Physical and biological

Weight

Growth is very rapid during the 1st year

25 to 30 g per day for the 1st 3 month,

Thereafter 400 g every month.

Birth weight doubles by 5 to 6 months

Triples by 1 year of age, to an average of

9.75 kg

Less weight gain by bottle fed babies

Length

Increase 2.5 per month during the

1st 6 months and by half that

amount per month during the 2nd

6 months

By 1 year length has increased by

almost 50% (65cm)

Head Circumference

Birth 35 cm

3 months 40 cm

12 months 45 cm

Chest circumference

2-3 cm less than HC at birth

Almost equal by 1 year

physiological changes

Vit

al signs

RR at 1 year 30

b/mt

Heart rate at 1 year 110 b/mt.

Blood pressure

75/50 by 1 year

gross motor development

• 3 months: Hold head • 4 months: lift the head &

front portion of chest • 5 months: rolling over

(abdomen to back & back to abdomen)

• 6 months: sitting with support

• 8 months: sitting without support

Contd….• 10 months: walking with Support• 11 months: crawling (creeping)• 12 months: standing without

support

Fine motor • 4 months: grasp a rattle or

rings when placed in hand• 5 months: reaches out to an

object and holds it with both hands

• 7 months: holding objects with crude grasp from palm (palmar grasp)

• 9 months: holding small object between index finger & thumb (pincer grasp)

Emotional development -Birth to Six Months begin to self

soothe after crying

be able to express various emotions eg. anger,

sadness, happiness

be developing a sense of  love and trust with

caregiver(s)

Emotional development - Six Months to 1 year

be very curious about their environment

start to have mood swings and temper tantrums

loving but tend to be self centered

in their view ofthe world

show separation anxiety when caregiver leaves

language ..• 1 month: turns head to sound• 3 months: cooing• 6 months: monosyllables (‘ma’,

ba’)• 9 months: bisyllables (mama.

Baba)• 12 months: 2 words with meaning

Personal social…….

• 2 months: social smile

• 3 months: recognizing mother

• 6 months: smiles at mirror image

• 9 months: waves bye-bye

• 12 months: plays a simple ball game.

Infantile reflexes

Stimulus / Response

S: Infant held horizontally R: Arms and legs move in coordinated swimming type action

Duration 2 weeks after birth – 5 months

Other Recognition of reflex led to popularity of infant swim programs

Postural Reflexes ~ Swimming

Stimulus / Response

S: Off balance in upright position R: Protective movement in direction of fall

Duration 4 months – 1 year

Concerns Assessed in preterm babies as markers of neurological development Related to upright posture

Other Also called propping reflexOccurs downward, sideways, & backward

Postural Reflexes ~ Parachuting

Stimulus / Response

S: Supine, turn body in either direction R: Head “rights” itself with the body S: Supine, turn head in either direction R: Body “rights” itself with the head

Duration Head:1-6 months; Body: 5 months-1 year

Concerns Related to voluntary rolling movements.

Postural Reflexes ~ Head and Body Righting

Stimulus / Response

S: Baby held upright, tilted in one direction R: Baby tilts head in opposite direction

Duration 2-3 months – 1 year

Concerns Related to upright posture

Other Also considered primitive reflex

Postural Reflexes ~ Labyrinthine

Landau • To test for the reflex, hold the infant face down horizontally. • The baby's head will raise up, while

her trunk will be straight and her legs extended.

• When pushes the baby's head downward, her legs should drop as well. When releases the baby's head, both her head and legs should return to their original positions.

Otolith righting

When body of erect infant is tilted,

head is returned to upright erect

position.

age of appearance : 7-12 months

teething ….

5-8 months: Lower central incisors

6-9 months: upper central incisors

9-11 months: upper lateral incisors

11-12 months: lower lateral incisors

Stepping to toddler period

……