Newborn Vocabulary Terms

Question 1

Size

Answer 1

7.5 lbs and 19 inches long. Thin, wrinkly, splotchy, little body fat.

Question 2

Head to Body Proportions

Answer 2

Large head, 1/4 body size, rounded chest and protruding stomach, short legs compared to arms, pelvis and hips are narrow. Legs pulled up and bowed out, short neck.

Question 3

Facial Features - Eyes

Answer 3

Grayish blue or dark, swollen, red splotches on white of eye, may be cross eyed, no tears for about 3 months.

Question 4

Facial Features - Mouth

Answer 4

Tiny jaw and chin, puffy cheeks, short tongue, dry lips.

Question 5

Facial Features - Nose

Answer 5

Short, flat to make nursing easier.

Question 6

Facial Features - Skin

Answer 6

Blotchy, pink, dry and peeling, vernix, lanugo, loose and wrinkly, loose scalp, cold and blue due to poor circulation.

Question 7

Premature

Answer 7

Born before 37 weeks.

Question 8

Low Birth Weight

Answer 8

Born 5.5 lbs or less.

Question 9

Fontanels (soft spot)

Answer 9

Two open spaces in the baby’s skull to allow for movement during delivery and for the brain to grow. These will be close together by 2 years old.

Question 10

Umbilical Cord

Answer 10

Cord that connected the baby to the mother and gave the baby food and oxygen. Will fall off in 1-3 weeks.

Question 11

Vernix

Answer 11

Cheesy, waxy substance that covers body while in womb. Sticks to the lanugo.

Question 12

Lanugo

Answer 12

Fuzzy hair covering the body to keep the fetus warm and to give the vernix something to adhere to.

Question 13

Jaundice

Answer 13

Yellow coloring in skin and eyes due to liver not working properly yet.

Question 14

Marks (birthmarks, angel kisses, stork bite, mongolian spot)

Answer 14

Pink spots where blood vessels broke - usually go away.

Question 15

Sucking Blister

Answer 15

Callous in center of top lip.

Question 16

Milia

Answer 16

Pimples due to oil glands beginning to work. Leave them alone or put a warm towel on them. Last about 3 weeks.

Question 17

Cradle Cap

Answer 17

Dry, flaky, crusty scalp. Rub the scalp with a baby brush.

Question 18

Swollen Genitals

Answer 18

Out of proportion in size due the the large amount of mother’s hormones.

Question 19

Bones and Teeth

Answer 19

Teeth usually not seen at birth. Bones are rubber-like and can bend easily. Heal bone formed after birth, kneecaps form about 2 years old, and there are 3 bones in a 1 year old hand and wrist - there are 28 in ours.

Question 20

Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Smell

Answer 20

Best developed sense. Knows smell of mom and mom’s milk. Likes sweet smells and makes a disgusted face if it doesn’t like a smell.

Question 21

Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Hearing

Answer 21

Likes high pitched sounds and voices. Will turn towards parents’ voices.

Question 22

Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Taste

Answer 22

Natural sweet tooth - avoid sugar.

Question 23

Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Touch

Answer 23

Bond, love, feels safe and secure, communicates, improves antibodies.

Question 24

Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Sight

Answer 24

Weak, limited vision. 20/700 vision at birth. Can see 8-15 inches away. Sees color beginning around 3-4 months old.

Question 25

Physical Abilities - Head and Neck

Answer 25

Weak neck muscles and big heavy head so the head falls back. Support these.

Question 26

Physical Abilities - Motor Development

Answer 26

Mostly reflexes at first but soon gains control of muscles.

Question 27

Reflexes - Rooting/Sucking

Answer 27

When cheek is stroked, baby turns head and opens mouth. Sucking movements begin to imitate eating.

Question 28

Reflexes - Grasping or Darwinian

Answer 28

Palmar - palm of hand touched and baby makes a fist around it. Plantar - bottom of toes touched and toes curl and tighten.

Question 29

Reflexes - Moro (startle)

Answer 29

Baby’s arms and legs thrown out. Head falls back and back extends.

Question 30

Reflexes - Tonic Neck/Fencing

Answer 30

Fencer arm position, one arm back and one arm extended forward.

Question 31

Reflexes - Babinski

Answer 31

Sole of foot stroked and toes fan out.

Question 32

Reflexes - Walking/Step

Answer 32

Baby held under arm will make stepping motion.

Question 33

Procedures - Silver Nitrate

Answer 33

Antiseptic put in baby’s eyes to prevent infections that might have passed from the mother during the vaginal delivery.

Question 34

Procedures - Blood Test

Answer 34

For Anemia/PKU/Cystic Fibrosis. Done by heel prick and analyzes drops of blood.

Question 35

Procedures - APGAR Score

Answer 35

Test done at 1 min and 5 min after delivery to test newborns physical development, ability to adapt, and chance for survival.

Question 36

Procedures - Circumcision

Answer 36

Removal of foreskin around tip of penis. Optional procedure.

Question 37

Sleeping

Answer 37

Place baby on their back to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Baby will spend 17-20 hours sleeping, but not all at one time. Growing and feeding is tiring.

Question 38

Feeding

Answer 38

Choose between formula and breast milk. There are pro’s and con’s to each. Eat 8-12 times a day - spend 3 hours a day feeding. Their tiny stomachs only hold 2-3 oz and they burn it quickly so they need to eat often.

Question 39

Bonding

Answer 39

Forms secure attachments, feelings of trust, safety, and strengthens the baby. Builds 5 areas of growth and development that are necessary for success in life.

Question 40

Meconium

Answer 40

First bowel movement. Black tar-like substance. Dangerous if released in womb. Will spend 1 hour each day changing diapers.

Question 41

Let Down Reflex

Answer 41

The hormone, Oxytocin, causes milk to come into the mother’s breast in preparation for breastfeeding.

Question 42

Pediatrician

Answer 42

The doctor that cares for the baby/child while it is growing up.