Newborn Vocabulary Terms Flashcards
Size
7.5 lbs and 19 inches long. Thin, wrinkly, splotchy, little body fat.
Head to Body Proportions
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.
Facial Features - Eyes
Grayish blue or dark, swollen, red splotches on white of eye, may be cross eyed, no tears for about 3 months.
Facial Features - Mouth
Tiny jaw and chin, puffy cheeks, short tongue, dry lips.
Facial Features - Nose
Short, flat to make nursing easier.
Facial Features - Skin
Blotchy, pink, dry and peeling, vernix, lanugo, loose and wrinkly, loose scalp, cold and blue due to poor circulation.
Premature
Born before 37 weeks.
Low Birth Weight
Born 5.5 lbs or less.
Fontanels (soft spot)
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.
Umbilical Cord
Cord that connected the baby to the mother and gave the baby food and oxygen. Will fall off in 1-3 weeks.
Vernix
Cheesy, waxy substance that covers body while in womb. Sticks to the lanugo.
Lanugo
Fuzzy hair covering the body to keep the fetus warm and to give the vernix something to adhere to.
Jaundice
Yellow coloring in skin and eyes due to liver not working properly yet.
Marks (birthmarks, angel kisses, stork bite, mongolian spot)
Pink spots where blood vessels broke - usually go away.
Sucking Blister
Callous in center of top lip.
Milia
Pimples due to oil glands beginning to work. Leave them alone or put a warm towel on them. Last about 3 weeks.
Cradle Cap
Dry, flaky, crusty scalp. Rub the scalp with a baby brush.
Swollen Genitals
Out of proportion in size due the the large amount of mother’s hormones.
Bones and Teeth
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.
Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Smell
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.
Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Hearing
Likes high pitched sounds and voices. Will turn towards parents’ voices.
Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Taste
Natural sweet tooth - avoid sugar.
Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Touch
Bond, love, feels safe and secure, communicates, improves antibodies.
Cognitive Abilities/Senses - Sight
Weak, limited vision. 20/700 vision at birth. Can see 8-15 inches away. Sees color beginning around 3-4 months old.
Physical Abilities - Head and Neck
Weak neck muscles and big heavy head so the head falls back. Support these.
Physical Abilities - Motor Development
Mostly reflexes at first but soon gains control of muscles.
Reflexes - Rooting/Sucking
When cheek is stroked, baby turns head and opens mouth. Sucking movements begin to imitate eating.
Reflexes - Grasping or Darwinian
Palmar - palm of hand touched and baby makes a fist around it. Plantar - bottom of toes touched and toes curl and tighten.
Reflexes - Moro (startle)
Baby’s arms and legs thrown out. Head falls back and back extends.
Reflexes - Tonic Neck/Fencing
Fencer arm position, one arm back and one arm extended forward.
Reflexes - Babinski
Sole of foot stroked and toes fan out.
Reflexes - Walking/Step
Baby held under arm will make stepping motion.
Procedures - Silver Nitrate
Antiseptic put in baby’s eyes to prevent infections that might have passed from the mother during the vaginal delivery.
Procedures - Blood Test
For Anemia/PKU/Cystic Fibrosis. Done by heel prick and analyzes drops of blood.
Procedures - APGAR Score
Test done at 1 min and 5 min after delivery to test newborns physical development, ability to adapt, and chance for survival.
Procedures - Circumcision
Removal of foreskin around tip of penis. Optional procedure.
Sleeping
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.
Feeding
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.
Bonding
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.
Meconium
First bowel movement. Black tar-like substance. Dangerous if released in womb. Will spend 1 hour each day changing diapers.
Let Down Reflex
The hormone, Oxytocin, causes milk to come into the mother’s breast in preparation for breastfeeding.
Pediatrician
The doctor that cares for the baby/child while it is growing up.
