Newborns, Preterms, and Low Weight Infants

Low birth weight infants are at greater risk for

________ developing breathing problems, asthma, learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders.

Preterm babies as a group are at risk for

________ child abuse, especially when they are born to isolated, poverty- stricken mothers.

Sucking and gag reflex

________ may be underdeveloped in preterm babies.

Newborn Capabilities

________: the baby can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell.

Preterm babies may be ultra sensitive, less responsive, and irritable, which can lead

________ parents to be less sensitive and responsive in caring for them.

In the US the average weight and length of a newborn is

20 inches long and 7.5 pounds

Distinct features of newborns

Large head , Fontanels- soft spot
- Red skin thin skin (capillaries), often temporary skin conditions, birthmarks, “stork bite”

Although the newborn’s senses become functional before birth,

they have a limited capacity to process information from the environment.

Newborns have a set of infant states to

help them regulate the level of stimulation they receive.

What are the two sleep states?

quiet sleep and active sleep

What are the four awake states?

drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, and crying

Most newborns experience a period of

quiet alertness shortly after birth.

Premature or low weight babies indicate

that something has restricted the infant’s physical growth in the prenatal environment.

Two most popular intervention programs for premature babies are

kangaroo care (skin to skin) and massage therapy.

When is a premature baby born?

under 37 weeks

What is considered low birth weight?

less than 5.8 lbs

As a group, preterm and low birth weight infants have

more health and developmental problems.

Low birth weight and preterm infants cannot regulate

bodily functions

Low birth weight and preterm infants are overwhelmed by

stimuli, noisy environments, and lights

How well preterm babies develop also has a great deal to do with

the parent–child relationship.

What factors can increase the risk of having a preterm or low birth weight infant?

* Having had a previous preterm birth; carrying twins, triplets, or more babies
* Unhealthy maternal behaviors such as smoking, drinking, or using drugs while pregnant
* Being obese or underweight
* Having an untreated medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes