Physical Development of a Newborn Baby
All babies are unique and develop physically at different paces. They may grow ahead of schedule in some aspects and lag in others. Some major developmental milestones occur from birth to 3 months, according to the Mayo Clinic. Health care providers track newborns' length, weight and head size from birth because healthy growth generally indicates good health. Infants' actions, reactions or the lack thereof signal progress in physical development or cause for concern.
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Size/Weight
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Many newborns are tiny when they emerge from the womb, even when they are full-term, born between 37 and 40 weeks gestation. A healthy weight is between 6 pounds 2 ounces and 9 pounds, according to Kids Health, with an average length range of 19 to 21 inches. Whether an infant is lighter or heavier greatly depends on the length of the pregnancy, prenatal nutrition, genetics and sex. Because newborns have excess fluids in their system, they lose 7 percent to 10 percent of their birth weight within the first two weeks of life. They then gain approximately 5 ounces per week and grow 1 to 1-1/2 inches in the first month.
Body Parts
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The most notable feature of a newborn baby is her head, which is relatively large compared to the rest of her body. Babies delivered through the birth canal have a pointed head which will start rounding out within the first few days. A baby gains control of her wobbly head, lifting it and facing forward on her own, in the first few months, according to the Mayo Clinic. The limbs are scrunched up from being in the compact quarters of the womb. Arms and legs will unbend and straighten over the following weeks, according to Kids Health. Appendages are thin and slightly translucent, but fingers and toes fill in as they grow.
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Eyes/Vision
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A newborn baby's sight functions at birth, but needs refining. He can see best within 8 to 15 inches from his face, and can focus on an object when it is within this range. Brightness and movement attract his attention, near or far. Because eye muscles are weak, newborn eyes wobble and cross, but the muscles mature within the first few months, allowing them to focus better.
Hair, Skin and Nails
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Some babies are born with lanugo, which are fine, soft and often unpigmented hairs on the body. This is the first hair produced by the hair follicles on the fetus and may remain until birth on premature babies. It sheds in the first few days or weeks on its own, according to Medicine Net. Nails are paper thin and sometimes relatively long. Skin may appear red, pink or purple at birth. Infant jaundice, a condition in which eyes and skin begin to turn yellow after birth, is common and may not require treatment, as the liver develops and rids the body of the yellow discoloration, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rashes and white spots are also common and clear up within days or weeks.
Warning
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Causes for concern include a baby's inability to focus or react to stimuli such as moving objects, bright lights, or colors or faces close up, as well as an inability to focus on things within very close range. A lack of head control or extreme floppiness of bodily muscles signals a lack of muscle development.
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References
- Photo Credit newborn baby image by Diane Stamatelatos from Fotolia.com
