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Physical Development of Infants

Physical Development of Infants. Growth during the first year. An average healthy baby gains 1-2 lbs. each month during the first six months of life. The average infant weighs 20-22 lbs. at the end of the first year and is 30” long. Patterns of development--examples.

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Physical Development of Infants

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  1. Physical Development of Infants

  2. Growth during the first year • An average healthy baby gains 1-2 lbs. each month during the first six months of life. • The average infant weighs 20-22 lbs. at the end of the first year and is 30” long.

  3. Patterns of development--examples • Head to toe: lifting head to see object, then picking it up, then walking to it • Near to far: Waving arms, grabbing objects with palms, picking up objects with thumb and forefinger • Simple to complex: Sucking, eating with fingers, eating with utensils

  4. Growth vs. development • Growth: increase in size • Development: increase in physical, cognitive, emotional or social skills

  5. Proportion • Definition: size relationship of one thing to another • Example: baby’s head and abdomen are larger compared to adults

  6. Depth Perception • Definition: ability to recognize that an object is 3-dimensional not flat • This skill is first noticeable in infants at 2 months. • By 3 months, infants prefer to look at three dimensional objects.

  7. Hand-eye Coordination • Definition: The ability to move the hands and fingers precisely in relation to what is seen • Infants exhibit this behavior at around 3-4 months as they reach for objects • This skill continues throughout childhood

  8. Senses • Hearing is the most developed sense at birth. • Sight, smell and taste are the least developed • What accounts for this? Prenatal development…think about “How does your baby grow?”

  9. Hearing problems??? These signs would indicate a possible hearing problem in an infant… • Not startled by a clap • 3 month old doesn’t turn toward a voice or sound • Not awakened by loud noises or respond to ordinary noises

  10. Motor Skill Development Why may one infant’s motor skills develop more slowly or more quickly than average? • Individual rate • Experiences • Encouragement

  11. Infant care • Always hold the head and neck because an infant does not have the muscle support to hold it up on its own…until around 3 months. • Avoid putting a bottle in the crib so that the baby can suck and drift off to sleep more comfortably because…. 1. Choking 2. Ear infections 3. Associate milk with sleep 4. Tooth Decay

  12. Weaning Process of changing from breast/bottle to a cup Happens around 9-12 months Remember breast milk or formula is the main source of nutrition during most of the first year.

  13. Teething Primary teeth usually appear around 6 months. Symptoms: Swelling gums, cranky, restless, wakeful, drool, lower appetite, fever, coughing and diarrhea Helping your infant with teething… • Teething rings (cold, not frozen) • Cool cloth • Rubbing ice on gums • Commercial medication

  14. Should you encourage your 8th month old to feed himself? • Yes!!! • Promotes independence and self-help skills, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination

  15. Consistent Bedtime Routines Very important…relaxed and pleasant rituals equal a smoother bedtime! How can you do this?

  16. Shaken Baby Syndrome A set of serious problems including damage to the brain, mental retardation, blindness or deafness and death Caused by the shaking of the infant

  17. Physical Motor Skills: 1-2 Months • Lifts chin when placed on stomach • Lifts chest

  18. Physical Motor Skills: 3-4 Months • Reaches for objects • Hold up head • Rolls side to back and back to side • Complete head control • Holds head up when carried

  19. Physical Motor Skills: 5-6 Months • Sits alone briefly • Reaches and grasps successfully • Turns completely over • Prefers to sit up with support • Uses hands to reach, grasp, crumble, bang and splash

  20. Physical Motor Skills: 7-8 Months • Reaches for spoon • Pulls self up • Sits up steadily • Squirms • Eats with fingers • Picks up large objects

  21. Physical Motor Skills: 9-10 Months • Crawls • Walks when led • Reaches for and manipulates objects with good control • Picks up medium and large objects • Stands holding on to something • Skillful with spoon

  22. Physical Motor Skills:11-12 Months • Stands alone • May be walking • Shows hand preference • Holds and drinks from a cup • Enjoys nesting toys • Picks up objects using thumb and forefinger

  23. How can caregivers or parents encourage motor skill development?

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