Reflection #9 Book : Toot & Puddle, A Present for Toot By: Holly Hobbie Why My Newborn Looks So Funny (Can you see the baby?) NEONATE A baby during the first month of life (0-4 weeks) Head A babys head is BIG compared to the rest of the babys body. Ask any mother who has just gone through labor and delivery, if that isnt true. Molded Head the misshaping of a babys head as a result of going through the birth canal. Kind of pointy. The head should return to its original shape in about a week. Unmolded Head Nice and round head because the baby was born by Caesarean Section. Head Cephalhemotoma Bleeding and the collection of blood under the thick membrane that covers a babys skull much like a large bruise. Caused by: Prolonged pressure against the cervix, or perineum, or pubic bones during the birth process. The pressure of vacuum extraction. The pressure of a baby monitor. The blades of the forceps from attempting to rotate a babys head. Extremely rapid labor. Will generally disappear in 6-12 weeks. Fontanel Diamond-shaped opening in the skull covered by a thick layer of skin. Thus, creating soft spots on a babys head. One in front and one in back. They allow the bones of your babys skull to compress during his trip through the birth canal and for the quick growth of his brain. Rear fontanel takes 4 months to close Front fontanel takes 9-18 months to close Hair Newborn hair doesnt tend to have much baring on what your childs hair will eventually look like. Some babies are born bald. Most babies lose some or all of their hair in the first few weeks or months. The hair that comes back may not look the same. Carrot tops can turn blonde, and blondes can turn into brunettes. Hair texture and hair waves and curls frequently changes in the first 6 months also. Cradle Cap A yellowish, patchy, greasy scaly and crusty skin rash that occurs on the scalp, the ear, or the eyelid of recently born babies. It is not itchy and does not bother the baby. It begins sometime in the first 3 months. It affects about half of all babies. Cause is unknown but thought to be a result of overactive sebaceous glands in the skin of newborns, due to the mothers hormones still in the babys circulation. Common advice is to apply mineral oil to the scalp and let it soak in overnight. This softens the scales that can then be brushed away with a soft brush. Babys Visionsensory-development-sight_6508.bchttp://www.babycenter.com/0_baby- sensory-development-sight_6508.bc EYES Nearly adult size Grayish blue in color Cannot shed tears until 3 months Eyelids are swollen and puffy to protect sensitive eyes Eyes appear crossed because of the lack of muscle development EYES continued.. Vision is blurry See best 8-12 inches away Black and white objects are best NOSE AND CHIN Short flat nose and receding chin so its out of the way when eating SMELL is the best developed of all senses EARS Usually close to head High pitched sounds and voices hear the best Arms and Legs A babys arms and legs are curled up from spending so much time in the tight space of the uterus. They will uncurl in 1-2 weeks. Once they uncurl, their legs will appear to be somewhat bowlegged. Swaddling some babies find that being wrapped snugly in a blanket to be comforting because it mimics the tighter quarters of the womb. Hands and Feet Because the babys blood circulation is still maturing, their hands and feet may be cyanotic (or bluish) for a few days. Breasts and Genitals A newborns breasts and genitals may be swollen from the extra dose of hormones just before birth. A little milky substance may leak from the babys nipples. Girls may also have a little white or blood-tinged vaginal mucus. All of this will go away in the first few weeks. Belly Newborns might lose a little weight in the first week. They should regain it during the second week. They will continue to put on weight at a fast rate during the following months, quickly filling out their belly. Umbilical Cord Falls off within 2 weeks Clean it with alcohol each time diaper is changed Fold down the diaper so it doesnt rub Lanugo Fine downy hair found on the skin of premature newborns. The farther along the pregnancy when the baby is delivered, the less lanugo the baby will have. Vernix A cheesy white substance that protects a babys skin from the amniotic fluid. The farther along the pregnancy when the baby is delivered, the less vernix the baby will have. Skin Varies in appearance according to how far along the baby is at birth. Premature babies have thin, almost transparent skin. Babies of all races and ethnicities are born with reddish-purple skin that changes to pinkish-red within 1-2 days. The pink tint comes from the red blood vessels that are visible through your babys still-thin skin. A newborn baby develops its permanent skin color over the first six months. Jaundice A yellowish tinge to the skin that may occur in the first few days of life. More then 50% of healthy newborns show signs of jaundice, which happens as the body breaks down extra red blood cells. If it doesnt go away and/or becomes more severe, treatment is needed. Milia Small white or yellowish dots that appear on their face like tiny pimples. They disappear within 3-4 weeks with out any special treatment. Pustular Melanosis A newborn rash more common in African American babies. Small pus-filled bumps that leave dark brown marks when they burst. No treatment needed. The marks will disappear by the time the baby is 3-4 months old. Acne Acne is not unusual in newborns, about 1/5 th have a case during their first month. It usually shows up on the forehead and cheeks. It should disappear on its own within a few months. Mongolian Spot Harmless, blue colored birthmark found on the lower back, buttocks, or shoulder. Most common among people of East Asian descent (named after Mongolians). Extremely prevalent among East Africans and Native Americans. Normally vanishes in 3-5 years, almost always by puberty. Birthmarks Marks that appear on the babys body, but may not appear for days or weeks after birth. They can show up anywhere on a babys body. Come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Most birthmarks are harmless. Many go away in the first few years of life, although some are permanent. Forceps Marks A bruising of the face caused by the use of forceps during delivery. Will disappear in about weeks. And, thats why newborns look so funny! And, then their mother gets a hold of them, and they can look even funnier! What did you look like when you were born?