Neonatal Period Flashcards
Average weight and height of newborn
7.5 lbs and 19-21 in
vital signs of a newborn
120-140 bpm, 30-60 breaths per min, 65/41 blood pressure
newborn: sensory
touch (sensitive to pain), taste/smell (like breast milk), hearing (recognize mother’s voice and sooth to it, vision (not fully formed)
gastrointestinal
newborns spit up because of a lose esophageal sphincter, small stomach (feed 2-3 oz every 2 hrs). Meconium = first stool and has products from intrauterine life. Yellow poop = bm and light brown = formula
head
head circumference grows as baby gets older. Fontanels (soft spots) close around 9 months (posterior) and 18 months (anterior)
neurological development
myelination of the nervous system. Sensory is one of the first tracts to develop myelin first. accounts for the acute sense of smell, taste, hearing, and pain
immune status
receives immunity from mom (antibodies pass to baby during 3rd trimester). breastmilk also contains antibodies. Infants start immunizations at about 2 months
Why is breast milk the best option for newborns?
easier for baby to digest, has a laxative effect, contains antibodies
Low Birth Weight Concerns
LBW in full term babies means something was stunting their growth in utero. If you are under 2500 grams (5.5 lbs), you are considered to have LBW. Higher rates of infant mortality, developmental problems during middle childhood.
preterm babies
born several weeks or more before the due date. Will be small, but their weight will be appropriate based on their time spent in utero. Have 3 years to catch up. more ill at birth and can be harder to bond with
newborn health promotion
maintain stable body temperature: baby at risk for low body temperature
protect from injury: proper identification of baby and parent
back to sleep: SIDS
car seat to go home in
teach parents to bath, care for umbilical cord
feeding, nutrition
urinating, stooling
bonding
eye care: risk for infection bc of birth canal
Hep B vaccine: gets before they leave the hospital
hearing test
newborn screening: blood test to check for a few genetic diseases and other diseases
Cultural Practices to Infant Care
some may delay breast feeding until day 3 or 4 (first few days are colostrum), some put band over baby’s umbilical cord, wear special bracelet to protect them, delay naming infant, keep umbilical cord to ward off evil, no on the skin to skin after birth. culture can dictate when baby leaves the house
