Newborns
Growth and development
Physical growth
At birth, the average weight of a male baby is 3.3 kg and the average weight of a female baby is 3.2 kg. The average male baby height is 49.9cm, while the average female baby is 49.1cm. A newborn loses 5% to 10% of the birth weight (10-15% for a premature baby) immediately after birth. This is temporary, and the newborn regains the weight in about 7 to 10 days, so there is no need to worry.
신체적 성장-남아 체중, 신장, 여아 체중, 신장 테이블
|
Boy |
Girl |
| Weight(kg) |
Height(cm) |
Weight(kg) |
Height(cm) |
| At birth |
3.3 |
49.9 |
3.2 |
49.1 |
(Source : Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency: 2017 Korean National Growth Charts for Children and Adolescents)
At this age, the size of the newborn's head is large, accounting for more than 1/3 of the entire body, but these body proportions change as the newborn grows. The head shape is elongated or bulging on one side but gradually becomes rounded.
Development
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1. Senses
- Vision : The baby can see objects 20 to 30 cm away and can fixate on a slowly moving object or follow it within 45 to 90 degrees. A black and white mobile with a clear color and contrast is recommended.
- Hearing : The baby can distinguish speech sounds and can distinguish human voices around 2 to 3 weeks of age. The baby can distinguish between a stranger's voice and their mother's.
- Smell : Sense of smell is also developed from birth, and the smell of breast milk can be distinguished.
- Taste : The sense of touch around the lips and on the tongue is developed, allowing the baby to distinguish sour tastes.
- Touch : Initially, your baby primarily uses their sense of touch to perceive their surroundings. They respond to touch around their mouth, palms, and soles of the feet. Sensory development also helps with later physical and emotional development.
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2. Movement/Exercise
At birth, a newborn cannot hold up their head. Their hands are lightly clenched into fists, and the legs can be slightly bent at the knees like a frog. The belly is slightly bulged and the limbs are bent.
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3. Cognitive skills(Learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Newborns have underdeveloped brains at birth. The newborn baby puts everything they touch into their mouth or suck, grab, and shake it. The baby pays attention to things that they see, but if they disappear from their sight, they no longer pay attention to them. This is because the concept of object permanence has not yet developed.
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4. Language/Communication
Crying is the only means of communication for newborns and how they express their needs. During the early neonatal period, crying is undifferentiated and the reason for crying cannot be precisely identified. However, as time goes by, the various reasons for crying can be differentiated and understood.
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5. Social/Emotional
Within 1 month of birth, newborns can sense their surroundings. For example, they can feel whether the environment is warm and friendly or cold and hostile. During this period, newborns begin to react to those around them.
How to Promote Development
- Give lots of physical contact (stroking, hugging, massaging, etc.).
- Talk to your baby, make physical contact, and play with them while feeding, bathing, dressing, and changing diapers
- Sing lullabies and nursery rhymes to your baby.
- Let your baby see your face up close.
- Talk to your baby gently even while bathing or feeding.
- Play music for your baby.
- Place a baby mobile over the crib.
- Provide toys or pictures in bright, contrasting colors for your baby to see.
- Choose a brightly colored toy (such as a rattle) and move it so that your baby's eyes follow the toy.
- Place objects or fabrics of different textures in your baby's hands so that they can feel different textures.
- If any of the following occurs, consult a doctor :
- Your baby does not respond to loud noises.
- Your baby does not follow the movement of the objects.
- When you stimulate the area around your baby’s mouth, it does not move in that direction.
- Your baby does not show any sucking behavior when anything touches their mouth.
- Your baby does not have enough strength to hold onto what is in their hand.
- Even if you put your hand in front of your baby’s eyes, your baby does not blink reflexively.
(Source : Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency : 2017 Korean National Growth Charts for Children and Adolescents, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services : Developmental Stages, Ministry of Health and Welfare: Parenting Guide for New Dads)