Newborns, Preterms, and Low Weight Infants

The Newborn

• In US average is 20 inches long and 7.5 pounds (5.5 - 10lb range)
• Distinct features:
  • Large head , Fontanels- soft spot
  • Red skin thin skin (capillaries), often temporary skin conditions, birthmarks, “stork bite”
• Newborn Capabilities: the baby can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell.

Infant States

• Although the newborn’s senses become functional before birth, they have a limited capacity to process information from the environment.
• They have a set of infant states to help them regulate the level of stimulation they receive.
• There are two sleep states (quiet sleep and active sleep) and four awake states (drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, and crying).
• Most newborns experience a period of quiet alertness shortly after birth.

Prematurity and Low Birth Weight Newborns

• Babies born prematurely (<37 wks) or at a low birth weight (<5.8 lb) are significant risk factors.
  • Indicates that something has restricted the infant’s physical growth in the prenatal environment.
• While complex, several known factors increase the risk.
  • 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
• As a group, preterm and low birth weight infants have more health and developmental problems.
  • Cannot regulate bodily functions, overwhelmed by stimuli, noisy environments, and lights
  • Sucking and gag reflex may be underdeveloped in preterm babies
  • Low birth weight infants are at greater risk for developing breathing problems, asthma, learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders

Nurturing Preterm Infants

• How well preterm babies develop also has a great deal to do with the parent–child relationship.
  • Preterm babies may be ultra sensitive, less responsive, and irritable, which can lead parents to be less sensitive and responsive in caring for them.
  • Preterm babies as a group are at risk for child abuse, especially when they are born to isolated, poverty-stricken mothers.
• Intensive enrichment programs can improve outcomes.
  • Two most popular intervention programs are kangaroo care (skin to skin) and massage therapy.