This document outlines the tools and procedures used to assess a newborn infant, including measurements of growth, reflex and nutritional evaluations, and observation of sleep patterns and parent-infant interactions. Key areas of assessment include head circumference, weight, length, reflexes, formula intake, stooling, skin turgor, and parental bonding. The assessment also addresses educating new parents on safety, feeding, hygiene and other infant care topics. Finally, the maternal postpartum recovery is evaluated.

1. Newborn Assessment
Tammy Marie Baker RN
Pediatric Series 2012

2. Assessment Tools
 Stethoscope pediatric
 Watch with second Hand
 Thermometer
 Measuring tape
 Baby scale

3. Measurements:
 Head circumference
 Fontanels
 Abdomen circumference
 Weight
 Length

4. Infant Growth Chart for
Percentiles

5. Newborn Reflexes
 Moro reflex
 Placing Reflex
 Stepping Reflex
 Rooting Reflex
 Sucking Reflex
 Palmer Grasp Reflex
 Plantar Grasp Reflex
 Atonic Neck Reflex
 Forward Parachute Reflex

6. Refl

7. Nutritional Assessment
 Formula type ( type, amount ,frequency,
tolerance)
 Reflux (Emesis, spitting up)
 Skin turgor ( hydration level)
 Stooling ( type amount frequency)
 Voiding ( amount/ frequency)

8. Psycho Social
 Infant behaviors
 Maternal /paternal bonding
 Family dynamics and interaction with new infant
 Family preparedness and adaption

9. Sleep Patterns
 Naps and frequency
 Sleeps through the night or not
 Intervals of hours of sleep at night

10. New Parent/ Newborn
Educational Needs:
 Safety
 Feeding
 Diapering
 Bathing
 Infections
 Cord care
 jaundice
 circumcision care
 newborn follow up

11. Maternal Assessment:
Assess the Mother
 activity  breast care breast
feed/bottle
 diet feeding
 exercise  breast feeding
 afterbirth pains  c section
 Peri-care / lochia and  constipation
fundus level
 hemorrhoids
 bathing
 depression
 birth control
 follow up