Month: March 2017

1. Normal parameters of a newborn

A baby is term if it is 37-42 weeks’ gestation. If it is less than 37 weeks, it is preterm and if it is more than 42 weeks, it is post-term. A pregnancy is typically 40 weeks. The EDD (expected date of delivery) = LMP (last menstrual period) + 9 months and 7 days. Supposing a pregnant woman had her LMP on 1.1.96. Then the EDD will be 8.10.96, which is equal to 40 weeks of pregnancy. If the baby is born between 17.9.96 (i.e. 3 weeks prior to 8.10.96 = 37 weeks) and 22.10.96 (i.e. 2 weeks after 8.10.96 = 42 weeks), then it is term.

Continue reading Child Care: Normal Aspects of Newborn Babies

The main criteria used for assessing growth are the weight, height and the head circumference of a child, which are measured periodically and plotted on a “growth chart.” (A sample chart is given at the end of this article.)

1. Weight

The normal birth weight of a term baby ranges from 2.5 to 3.8 kilos. The baby loses some weight for the initial 3-4 days, and regains its birth weight by the end of 7-10 days (it may take 14 days in case of preterm babies). So if your baby is weighing the same as at birth even after 10 days, it is normal (and not an indicator of poor breast milk supply).

Continue reading Child Care: Weight, Height and Head Circumference of a Newborn Baby

Growth pertains to physical aspects like height, weight etc. which can be quantified and objectively measured. Development refers to the mental progress of the child like his intelligence etc. and therefore is qualitative. All parents are concerned and rightly so, about the growth and development of their child. ,

Continue reading Child Care: Parental Aspects in Newborn’s Child’s Growth

KEY POINTS

❖ Parental role: A loving bond between parents and baby, a harmonious inter-spouse relationship and a congenial family atmosphere are the most important requirements for the healthy growth & development of a child. Accept your child as he is and forget about the qualities that he doesn’t possess (no human being is perfect).

Continue reading Child Care: Growth and Development of Newborn Baby

Development is the qualitative progress of a child, usually divided into 4 categories:

1. Gross motor: It refers to the gross motor activities like sitting, standing etc. As mentioned earlier, it is the least important and least reliable criteria to judge the overall development of a child, though the parents lay the most emphasis on it.

Continue reading Child Care: Development of Newborn Child

The main criteria used for assessing growth are the weight, height and the head circumference of a child, which are measured periodically and plotted on a “growth chart.” (A sample chart is given at the end of this article.)

1. Weight

The normal birth weight of a term baby ranges from 2.5 to 3.8 kilos. The baby loses some weight for the initial 3-4 days, and regains its birth weight by the end of 7-10 days (it may take 14 days in case of preterm babies). So if your baby is weighing the same as at birth even after 10 days, it is normal (and not an indicator of poor breast milk supply).

Continue reading Child Care: Weight, Height and Head Circumference of a Newborn Baby

Growth pertains to physical aspects like height, weight etc. which can be quantified and objectively measured. Development refers to the mental progress of the child like his intelligence etc. and therefore is qualitative. All parents are concerned and rightly so, about the growth and development of their child. ,

Unlike other species, the human development is the slowest with the child being dependent on parental care for a number of years. Therefore, the relationship between parents and the baby constitutes the most important requirement for the healthy development of a child. Fortunately, both parents and the baby are programmed by nature to form strong attachments towards each other. Even a few days old baby responds preferentially to the image of a human face and particularly to the mother’s voice. Because of the love, affection and care of the parents, the young child experiences an early sense of security, warmth and positive self-worth. This early and secure bonding between the baby and the parents is essential for the healthy development of a child.

Continue reading Child Care: Parental Aspects in Newborn’s Child’s Growth

KEY POINTS

❖ Parental role: A loving bond between parents and baby, a harmonious inter-spouse relationship and a congenial family atmosphere are the most important requirements for the healthy growth & development of a child. Accept your child as he is and forget about the qualities that he doesn’t possess (no human being is perfect).

Continue reading Child Care: Growth and Development of Newborn Baby

A newborn baby is limp and floppy. His neck is like a ragged doll, and his head lolls forwards or backwards depending on gravity. Obviously, the first important milestone necessary in order to progress further (to sitting and standing) is neck control, which comes by 4 months age when his neck stays in the same plane as the body.

Continue reading Child Care: Gross Motor Milestone Development