Child developmental Milestones Newborns

GROWTH AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• during first few days of life skin is wrinkled, but within a few days it will dry and peel
• skin colour is light
• head may appear to have an unusual shape as a result of the birth process, but will assume a normal shape within the first week
• hair colour and amount varies with each child
• average weight at birth is 6.5 to 9 pounds
• 5-7% of birth weight is lost within days following the birth
• average of 5-6 ounces is gained during the first month
• average length at birth is 18 to 21 inches
• chest appears to be small and cylindrical, nearly the same size as the head
• heart rate ranges from 120 to 150 beats per minute, may be irregular at times
• skin is sensitive, especially on the hands and the mouth
• head is large relative to the body
• head circumference averages 12.5 to 14.5 inches at birth
• "soft" spots called fontanels are located on the top and back of the head
• breathing is often irregular in rhythm and rate
• crying is without tears
• eyes are extremely sensitive to light
• sees outlines and shapes; unable to focus on distant objects

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

• newborn's motor skills are purely reflexive movements and are primarily for protection and survival
• the infant begins to gain some control over these reflexes during the first month
• motor activities that are primarily reflexive:
• swallowing, sucking, gagging, coughing, yawning, blinking and elimination are present at birth
• rooting reflex is triggered by gently touching sensitive skin around the cheek and mouth; the infant turns toward the cheek being stroked
• startle reflex is set off by sudden, loud noises; both arms are thrown open and away from the body, then quickly return
• moro reflex is brought about by quickly lowering the infant's position downward, as if dropping; arms are thrown open and quickly brought back together over the chest
• grasping reflex occurs when the infant tightly curls its fingers around an object placed in its hand
• stepping reflex involves the infant moving the feet up and down in walking-like movements when held upright with feet touching a firm surface
• tonic neck reflex occurs when the infant, in supine (face up) position, extends arm and leg on the side toward which the head is turned; the opposite arm and leg are flexed (pulled in toward the body)
• plantar reflex is the curling of the toes when pressure is placed against the ball of the foot
• maintains fetal position, especially when asleep
• holds hands in a fist; does not reach for objects
• when held in a prone (face down) position, the baby's head falls lower than the horizontal line of the body with hips flexed and arms and legs hanging down
• has good muscle tone in the upper body when supported under the arms
• turns head from side to side when placed in a prone face down) position
• pupils dilate and constrict
• eyes do not always work together and may appear crossed a times

PERCEPTUAL-COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

• designed to capture and hold the attention of parents and caregivers and to gain some sense of the environment
• gives a partial irregular eye blink to a fast-approaching object
• follows a slowly moving object through a complete arc of 180 degrees
• follows objects moved vertically if object is close to the infant's face (10-15 inches)
• looks around even in the dark
• begins to study own hand when lying in tonic neck reflex position
• hearing is present at birth and is more acute than vision (infants hear as well as adults, except for quiet sounds)
• prefers to listen to mother's voice rather than a stranger's
• often synchronizes body movements to speech patterns of parent or caregiver
• distinguishes some tastes; shows preference for sweet liquids
• sense of smell is present at birth; will turn away from strong, unpleasant odors

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE

• can be identified in several of the newborn's reflexes, such as bite-release action that occurs when the infant's gums are rubbed, the rooting reflex and the sucking reflex
• crying and fussing are major forms of communication
• reacts to loud noises by blinking, moving, stopping a movement, shifting eyes about, or making a startle response
• shows a preference for certain sounds, such as music and human voices, by calming down or quieting
• turns head in response to voice
• makes occasional sounds other than crying

PERSONAL-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• experiences a short period of alertness immediately following birth
• sleeps 17 to 19 hours per day, gradually is awake and responsive for longer times
• likes to be held close and cuddled when awake
• shows qualities of individuality
• begins to establish emotional attachment or bonding relationship with parents and caregivers
• begins to develop a sense of security or feeling of trust with parents and caregivers

DEVELOPMENTAL ALERTS

Check with a health care provider or early childhood specialist, if by one month of age, the child does not:

• show alarm or "startle" responses to loud noise
• suck and swallow with ease
• show gains in height, weight, and head circumference
• grasp with equal strength in both hands
• make eye to eye contact when awake and being held
• become quiet soon after being picked up
• roll head from side to side when placed on stomach