Unit 3- The Newborn

Agenda- March 9 th  1. To Begin… What kinds of things do you think happen after a baby is born? What kind of hospital care is implemented?  2. Lesson- Medical Care and Testing of Newborns  3. Textbook- Page 179 What Do Newborns Look like? Make notes about the physical features of children based on the chart.  4. What’s Next? We are starting a project which will have us going through the process of caring and preparing for a Newborn. What kinds of things do you think a person needs to consider when they bring their newborn home for the first time?

Lesson: Medical Care and Testing  After delivery, the baby is often held downward. Fluid is suctioned from the nostrils and mouth of the baby.  The mother may hold the baby on her abdomen until the cord is clamped and cut.  The nurse takes the baby to a special table with a heater above it, and dries the newborn with warm towels.

Medical Care and Testing  Premature Babies:  Premature babies are placed in an intensive care nursery (ICN).  Newborns who need intensive care live in neonatal intensive care units. These are heated, completely enclosed beds that have two doors that open and close to permit care.  They are equipped with devices for giving oxygen and monitoring breathing and heart rate.

Medical Care and Testing- The Apgar Test  This tests the baby’s chance of survival.  The baby scores a 0, 1, or 2 in each of five areas. The best possible score is a 10.  It checks the baby’s pulse, breathing, muscle tone, responsiveness and skin color.  Heart rate and breathing are scaled as most important, while skin colour (a sign of circulation) is least important.  The test is given one minute and five minutes after delivery. The five minute score should be higher.

Medical Care and Testing- The Apgar Test  Most healthy babies score 6 or 7 at 1 minutes, then 8 to 10 at 5 minutes.  If a baby scores 7 or less at 5 minutes, he or she is tested again at 10 minutes.  A low score means the baby needs special medical care.

Medical Care and Testing- Brazelton Scale  This test helps doctors spot any problems as early as possible.  It tests the baby in the following four areas: a) Interaction with the environment- alertness, attention to sound, cuddliness. b) Motor processes- general activity level and reflex behavior c) Control of physical state- self-quieting behaviors and levels of excitement and irritability. d) Response to stress– the newborn’s response to stress (startle reactions and trembling)

Medical Care and Testing  Pediatrician: A doctor who cares for infants and children.  Anemia: Low level of oxygen carrying substances in the blood.  Phenylketonuria (PKU): a disease that can cause mental handicap if untreated by diet.  Jaundice: condition that occurs in newborns that makes their skin, tissues, and body fluids look yellow. This happens because some babies’ livers are immature. It is treated by placing the baby under bright lights.

Agenda- March 10 th  1. How does one Meet a Newborn’s Physical Needs? Brainstorm with the people sitting near you.  2. Lesson: Feeding  3. Textbook: : Make notes about: Clothing, Diapering, Bathing, Sleeping, Exercising, and Scheduling.  4. Newborn Project: You will need to create a plan for your very own Newborn. You will first need to explain who you are and what you do. This can be completely fictional. We will be spending the next three days in the library, so you can do further research on the plan you are responsible for creating.

Lesson: Feeding  A mother can meet needs by either breast-feeding or formula feeding, breast-feeding is preferred. Mother’s who breast-feed their babies should do the following: a) Eat a balanced diet. The quality of breast mild varies only slightly from mother to mother. b) Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day (Milk, water, juice) c) Check with a pediatrician about giving the baby a supplementary source of iron, fluoride, and vitamin D. d) Realize certain foods can upset the baby. e) Tell doctors and dentists when nursing. Any over the counter drug could affect the baby. f) Rest and avoid stress. Milk supply decreases when mother’s are tired or under stress. g) Use breast-feeding time to bond with babies.

Lesson: Feeding  Formula Feeding: Some mothers are not able to breast-feed, or choose not to feed this way. If parents choose formula feeding, they should do the following: a) Consult with a doctor about the type of formula. b) Report any digestive upsets or rash to the doctor. This could be a problem with the formula. c) They are available in liquid concentrate, or ready to feed forms. d) Feed newborns the right amount of milk as recommended by the baby’s doctor. e) Keep utensils and bottles completely clean. f) Keep mixed and ready-to-use formula refrigerated. Bacteria can grow quickly otherwise. g) Throw away unfinished formula. Bacteria can grow on unfinished milk because the milk contains some of the baby’s saliva.