Infants – Physical Development

1. Infants – Physical Development Child & Human Development Unit 2: Infants Ages: Birth to Age 1

2. Skeletal Growth Skeletal System is made of bones and teeth. Skeletal growth refers to the changes in length, weight and the appearance of teeth. Average Length: 20 to 21 inches Most infants reach 1 ½ times their birth lengths (adding 9 to 10 inches) during the first year.

3. Weight Babies usually double their birth weights in four or five months and triple their birth weights by one year.

4. So… • If a baby’s beginning weight is 8 pounds, they will weigh approximately______lbs. at 4-5 months and _______lbs. at age 1!!! 16 24

5. By about 9 months, the infant becomes chubbier. This change happens because fat tissues under the skin have increased.

6. After this time, fat tissues begin to decrease. Even at this age – boys have more muscle length and thickness, while girls have more fat.

7. Average Length and Weight During First Year

8. What happens if a baby doesn’t grow at a similar rate?

9. Failure to Thrive • Rates of growth slow considerably over time. • This may indicate that a health problem exists.

10. Causes of Failure to Thrive • Diseases that prevent all or some nutrients from being absorbed or that cause nutrients to be quickly expelled from the body. • The baby’s food is not providing enough nutrients (diluted formula or breast milk affected by mother’s malnutrition)

11. Causes of Failure to Thrive • Feedings are offered too infrequently or last too short a time. • The baby is abused or neglected

12. Body Proportions • Infants do not look like small adults. Head makes up ¼ of his or her total length 1/10

13. Bones and Teeth • Infant skeleton is mostly made up of cartilage. • Infants bones do not break easily • Skeletons are not sturdy = no sitting and standing • Because of softness, bones can easily misshapen. • Lying flat in one position all the time can flatten a baby’s head in one place.

15. More common because of the recommendation for babies to sleep on their backs (Prevents SIDS) Changing a baby’s position during waking hours can prevent their heads from flattening. Many doctors now recommend “tummy time” once babies can hold their heads up while alert. (two-four months)

16. “Tummy Time” • Encourages development of motor skills such as: • Rolling over • Reaching • Crawling

17. Bones = Changes occur in 3 Stages during 1st Year! • Length of bones increases • Ossification begins (hardening of bones) • Number of bones changes • Hand and Wrist = 1 y.o = 3 bones • Hand and Wrist = adult = 28 bones

18. Teeth! By birth, all deciduous teeth (nonpermanent) teeth and a few permanent teeth are developing deep in the jaw Hand out Sheet

19. What's happening?

20. Most babies begin cutting teeth during the second half of the first year. (6-12 months)

21. Motor Development • The use and control of muscles that direct body movements.

22. Motor Development • Learning to use and control large muscles helps babies learn to crawl and walk. • Trunk • Arms • Legs Gross-Motor Skills

23. Motor Development • Being able to control small muscles • Hands • Fingers Fine Motor Skills

24. Gross Motor Skills

25. Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills