The Baby’s First Year

Physical Development

Learning Targets • I can….

– Identify the most important milestones of growth & development during a baby’s first year

– Describe the structure of the brain & how it works

– Describe methods for handling & feeding an infant

– Indentify other skills involved in meeting an infants physical needs

As a Table…• You are to sketch a outline of a “typical”

baby at birth and at one year.• Compare and discuss your sketches

with the table next to you• Read the story on page 249 about Jason

and Brett.• While reading, identify Jason’s needs that Brett is meeting??

Growth & Development

• Development – sequence (step-by-step)• Three basic patterns

– Head to Foot • Begins long before birth• Baby’s head takes lead in development • Head – arms & hands – legs & feet

– Near to Far• Starts close to body & moves outward• Waves arms, hand – finger control

– Simple to Complex• Large muscle – small muscle • Torso – upper body

Influences on Growth &

Development • Typically, babies follow the same

pattern, they do so at their own rate• Terms are used interchangeably, but

they are not the same thing• Growth – changes in size, weight &

length • Development – increases & changes in

physical, social or intellectual skills

Influences on Growth &

Development • Both heredity (nature) & environment

(nurture)• Developmental milestone – a key skill

used to check a child’s progress

Growth & Development during

the 1st year • Typically triple birth weight • Usually increase length by about 50%• Growth chart – shows the average weight &

height of boys & girls at various ages – Few match –remember they grow at own rate– Dr. watches for a steady pattern of growth

Weight • Weight gains – one of the best signs of

good health • Most lose about 10% of their birth

weight in the first five days • After they begin to gain weight rapidly • 1st 6 months = gain 1 – 2 lbs/month• 2nd 6 months = 1 lb• Average weight 1 year old = 20 – 22 lbs• Boys typically weight more than girls

Length • Length rather than height b/c they

are measured lying down • Steadily grow in length due to

bone growth is rapid• Average newborn – 20 in” – 30”• Heredity – strong influence • Boys slightly longer than girls

Body Shape • Tend to hold themselves in a tightly

curled position w/fist clenched, legs bent, & feet curved inward

• Head may have a elongated shape (child birth)

• Arms & legs skinny• Abdomen – large• Umbilical cord stump – dries up &

drops off in 3 weeks revealing navel• Legs & feet straighten out 6 months

Proportion

• Refers to the size relationship between the parts of the body

• Compared to body – head & abdomen – large

• Legs & arms – short and small• Baby’s head grows rapidly to

accommodate (make room for) the swiftly developing brain

• skull – spaces called “fontanels”

Sight/Vision • Improves rapidly, 1st blurry• Within week – focus on

objects that are 7 -10 in” away– 1 mo. – three feet– 6 mos – eyesight

reaches the clarity & sharpness of the adult level

• At 1st, babies see world in 2 dimensions

• Depth perception – ability to perceive objects that are three-dimensional 2nd mo

• Patterns & colors • High contrast –

alternating stripes, bull’s eye or faces– Color red or blue

• Hand-eye coordination – ability to move their hands & fingers precisely in relation to what is seen – Reach for objects 3

mo – important milestone

On a Sheet of Paper ..

• Draw what would be best for an infant

QUESTIONS???• By age 1, infants _____________ their

weight.• By age 1, infants increase their length by

__________.• Describe the body shape of an infant.• What is a developmental milestone?• What do infants like to look at?

• Don’t forget about your mobiles on Monday

Hearing

• Develops before birth• Full term baby – tell general direction• Newborns respond to tone of voice, not

words• 7 mos – recognize parents & caregivers

by voice• Language development begins with

hearing words first, then imitating – understanding

• Premature & infections = hearing problems – language development delay

Smell & Taste• Surrounded by amniotic fluid before

arrival – sense of smell does not develop until after birth

• Develops quickly– 10 days – know mommy by smell

• Taste – quickly – 2 weeks – can taste the difference– Learn by using their mouths – Put everything in there!!

• Clean, not sharp, not too small

Reading!!!!

• Little Developing Child Book • Page 255 – 257• Complete Questions 1-7 on page 257• Big Developing Child Book • Page 232—236• Complete Questions 1-7 page 237

Complete Worksheet

• Quiz in on the table• Both worksheets will go into your notebook• After the worksheet we will go over the

answers to quiz 8.1• We will go over the answers to quiz 8.3

tomorrow!

Handling & Feeding Infants

• I can…– Explain how to hold and feed a baby– Identify an infant’s nutritional needs

Handling a Baby• Infants need to be moved & held for

different reasons• Remember when you hold an infant, you

have the chance to strengthen your bond & to help the baby feel secure & happy!!!

• Require greatest care – neck muscles cannot support their head

• Must keep your hand/arm under neck & head at all times.

Lifting a Newborn

Slide one hand under the baby’s buttocks and the other under the shoulders & head. Use your forearm to support the neck & head as you raise your hands together to lift the new born.

Holding a newborn in your arm

• Hold the baby upright, cradled in the curve of your arm. Your arms supports the baby’s head & neck, and you can easily maintain eye contact w/the baby

Holding a newborn against your chest

• Hold the baby against your chest , so that the baby faces – or peeks over – your shoulder. Use your hand to support the baby’s neck & hand.

Questions • Name the 3 patterns of physical development• Define:

– Hand-eye coordination– Depth perception

• Never __________ a baby.• True or false: Brain developments begins at

birth• True or false: Weight is most influenced by

heredity

Putting a Newborn Down

• Continue to support both the neck and head and the body. Bend over, keeping the baby close to your body until the baby’s body is resting on a surface that can support his or her body. Then remove your arms.

Gentle Handling

• Never shake or jiggle • Thousands of babies each year suffer from

shaken baby syndrome - caused when someone severely shakes the baby (stop crying)

• Damage to brain, learning problems, mental retardation, blindness, deafness, death

When a baby cries = frustration

• Put the baby down in safe place – go to a different room – calm down before returning

• Ask friend/relative to take care of the baby• Take deep breaths – look at the window• Call someone and talk about problem until

you calm down

Feeding a Baby

• More than physical nourishment• Contact w/others• Learn more about the world

Feeding Schedules

• Newborn’s feeding & sleeping schedule unpredictable at first– Newborns need to eat as much as they want &

as often• Feedings are necessary b/c a newborns

stomach can hold only small amounts• Breast fed babies eat more often• 2nd – 3rd month – regular pattern emerges • About 12 lbs – babies can sleep thru night

Feeding Methods

• 1st year – breast milk or formula• Not cow’s milk – too hard for them to

digest, contains minerals their kidneys cannot process

• Formula w/cow’s milk acceptable

Feeding from the Bottle

• Hold the baby close in a semi-upright position

• Neck & head supported• Head well above the stomach• Hold bottle at angle

– Baby can suck comfortably & less air• Warm bottle – not necessary • Warm it – place in pan of water on stove

until lukewarm

Feeding

• Check temperature on wrist – lukewarm• Never heat in the microwave• Formula left in bottle – throw it away• Bacteria can grow quickly• Feeding bottle should be sterilized• Never lead a bottle propped up so baby

drinks alone• Healthy babies usually eat the amount they

need

Burping the Baby

• No matter the method, burp the baby as least twice – once during feeding & once when the feeding is over

• Breast feeding – burp during the switch from one breast to the other

• Why must you burp the baby?– They swallow air along with the liquid

• Discomfort – Don’t be surprise if the baby doesn’t burp

Small Group Activity (Group of 2)

• You are to prepare a cartoon strip titled “Things to Do When Bottle-Feeding Your Baby”

• Content of strip– How to prepare formula– How to hold the baby during feeding– How & why to burp the baby– Be creative!!

Introducing New Foods

• Around 6 months other foods will be added• Pediatrician will recommend when to

introduce “solid” foods• Most babies = no rush• Choose a time when baby is happy, content

and well

Introducing New Foods

• B/c the food the unfamiliar – spit back the first spoonfuls

• Introduce it later or combine it with a favorite

• PATIENCE

Introducing New Foods Tips

• Hold baby in an upright position• If baby is used to lukewarm formula – heat

solid foods to lukewarm– NEVER use the microwave

• Be prepared for messy feedings• Cereal – running, dilute with formula or

breast milk – NEVER put in bottle = choke• Do not feed baby from the jar. (Bacteria) Put

small amount in bowl and refrigerate leftover immediately

Read page 273 – Ask the Expert

• Answer questions 1 & 2• At your table, decide on ways to prepare

homemade baby food. • Be prepared to share group findings.

Think about..

• Your reactions to food (cereals, vegetables, fruits)

• Do you think babies would have the same response??? Why or why not?

• List types of fruits and vegetables that could be mashed and served as one of a baby’s first solid foods

Weaning • Changing from drinking from the bottle or

breast to a drinking from a cup• Important sign of the baby’s increasing

independence • No precise age, 9 months – common• Usually baby will show signs

– Playing or looking around, pushing away, likes to eat from a spoon

• Do not force – other feeding & behavior problems

Self-feeding

• Sit up steadily (8 – 10 months) baby will show signs– eat with fingers & reach for spoon

• 1st – fun more baby, but not much eating will take place

• you – help out – separate spoons, placing food in baby’s mouth

• PATIENCE & humor • Encourage

What do you think

• Mashed bananas• Hot dogs• Grapes• Peanuts• Small cereal pieces

• Which foods do you think are appropriate for a baby to self feed

Read page 275 – Self-Feeding Safely

• Answer follow up questions 1 & 2

Nutritional Concerns

• Your responsibility = making sure baby’s nutritional needs are being met

• Problems = too much food, too little food or the wrong kinds of foods

Overfeeding

• As they gain weight – they may look fat• Most will slim down by age three• Bottle fed more likely to be overfed• Worried talk to pediatrician • Healthy eating habits – established early in

life• Small nutritious foods – smaller portions • MyPlate

Inadequate Nutrition

• Infants = very specific nutritional needs• Enough calories = rapid growth• Nutrient rich foods • Food that is easy to digest• Adequate amounts of liquid

• What are some causes of inadequate nutrition?

Inadequate Nutrition

• Can cause lasting physical problems • Linked to poor brain development &

learning problems• Many government & community programs

help to eliminate malnutrion • WIC – Women, Infants & Children program

Do you know the signs

• Growth = below average• Nervous or irritable behavior• Wounds that are slow to heal• Hair = thin, dull, lifeless, easy to pull out• Swollen eyelids• Poor posture• Poor coordination • Diarrhea

Tomorrow

• You are to research commercial baby food.