Development During the First Year of Life

Weight Gain Healthy babies gain 1-2 lbs the first 6 months They gain about a pound per month during the last half of the first year

Healthy babies gain 1-2 lbs the first 6 months

They gain about a pound per month during the last half of the first year

Height The average height by one year is about 30 inches.

The average height by one year is about 30 inches.

Body Proportions Compared to adult proportions: A baby’s head and abdomen are LARGE A baby’s legs and arms are SMALL

Compared to adult proportions:

A baby’s head and abdomen are LARGE

A baby’s legs and arms are SMALL

Your Child May Have a Hearing Problem If He/She is… Not startled by a sharp clap Never turns toward signs Not awakened by loud noises

Not startled by a sharp clap

Never turns toward signs

Not awakened by loud noises

Your Child May Be Teething if… They do any of the Following: Cranky Restless and Wakeful May Refuse Food May Drool Excessively

They do any of the Following:

Cranky

Restless and Wakeful

May Refuse Food

May Drool Excessively

Bottom Front Teeth Are First to Come In

Physical Development proceeds from: head to foot (cephalo-caudal) First baby’s lift their heads, then they learn to roll over

head to foot

(cephalo-caudal)

First baby’s lift their heads, then they learn to roll over

Physical Development Proceeds from: Near to Far (Proximal-distal) Babies are able to scoot their entire body to an object, wave at it, grab it, pick it up

Near to Far

(Proximal-distal)

Babies are able to scoot their entire body to an object, wave at it, grab it, pick it up

Motor skills—abilities that depend upon the use and control of muscles Gross Motor skills are related to large muscles of the body

Gross Motor skills are related to large muscles of the body

Physical Development proceeds from… Simple to Complex Babies go from being fed, to eating with their own hands Or feet

Simple to Complex

Babies go from being fed, to eating with their own hands

Fine Motor Skills Related to the small muscles of hands and fingers Some examples of fine motor skills are coloring and drawing

Related to the small muscles of hands and fingers

Some examples of fine motor skills are coloring and drawing

Locomotion A child has locomotion when it is able to move from one place to another

A child has locomotion when it is able to move from one place to another

Manipulation The ability to use hands and fingers to hold and grasp objects

The ability to use hands and fingers to hold and grasp objects

Handling a newborn It is important to remember that neck muscles are not developed, therefore, the head must be supported

It is important to remember that neck muscles are not developed, therefore, the head must be supported

Babies will cry because he/she… Wants to be held Has a soiled diaper Is ill Is hungry

Wants to be held

Has a soiled diaper

Is ill

Is hungry

Ways to comfort a baby Sound—sing or talk to them; music Motion—rocking chair, car or stroller Touch—hold or cuddle them, rub or pat their back. Of course any combination of these methods work well.

Sound—sing or talk to them; music

Motion—rocking chair, car or stroller

Touch—hold or cuddle them, rub or pat their back.

Of course any combination of these methods work well.

Newborn’s eyes and vision Stare seems blank and uncomprehending Eyes blink separately of look in different directions There are no tears at first

Stare seems blank and uncomprehending

Eyes blink separately of look in different directions

There are no tears at first

Sense of smell A baby becomes sensitive to odors during the first few days of life

A baby becomes sensitive to odors during the first few days of life

Shaken baby Shaking a baby younger than two years old creates a high risk of severe bleeding in the brain

Shaking a baby younger than two years old creates a high risk of severe bleeding in the brain

Feeding Baby Solid food should be introduced between the 6 th to the 8 th month Never Prop bay’s bottle: Milk can gush into the mouth Leads to digestive problems and ear infections Cause of “Bottle Mouth Syndrome”

Solid food should be introduced between the 6 th to the 8 th month

Never Prop bay’s bottle:

Milk can gush into the mouth

Leads to digestive problems and ear infections

Cause of “Bottle Mouth Syndrome”

Feeding Baby cont. Bottle-fed babies are more likely to be overfed, as parents are tempted to urge the baby to “finish the bottle”. Babies will begin to eat with their fingers at 8 to 10 months old. Babies do not need to be put on low-fat diets or worry about cholesterol .

Bottle-fed babies are more likely to be overfed, as parents are tempted to urge the baby to “finish the bottle”.

Babies will begin to eat with their fingers at 8 to 10 months old.

Babies do not need to be put on low-fat diets or worry about cholesterol .