Features of a Healthy Newborn

Question 1

What are the transitions to extra uterine?

Answer 1

Airway
Apgar score
Onset of respiration
Circulatory adaptation
Thermal adaptation

Question 2

What is in the first examination of the newborn?

Answer 2

General appearance
Colour
Inspection of:
The head including fontanelles and suture
The face including eyes, ears, nose and mouth
The neck
The chest and abdomen
The spine
The genitalia
The anus
Limbs with hands and feet
Identification of birthmarks and birth injuries

Question 3

What do you look for in general appearance?

Answer 3

Normal term baby weight is around 3.5kg
Average length is 50cm
Most babies appear plump and have a prominent abdomen

Question 4

What would you expect with sleeping and waking?

Answer 4

From birth the baby appears alert for about 1 hour then relaxes and sleeps
Sleeping and waking rhythms take time to settle
Initially waking periods are related to hunger but Within a week the waking periods last longer and meet the need for social interaction

Question 5

What do you expect with crying?

Answer 5

The cry of a baby distinguishes different needs and its the way they communicate
It is possible to identify which may be hunger, thirst, pain general discomfort
Maternal anxiety and difficulties relating to crying can be improved with info and support from the midwife

Question 6

Describe the 2 sleep state

Answer 6

Deep sleep- hard to awake, eyes closed, some jerky makeup

Light sleep- drowsy; eyes closed, may be sucking

Question 7

Describe the awake state

Answer 7

Drowsy or semi dozing
Quiet alert
Active alert
Crying
Be aware of feeding cues

Question 8

What should the eyes look like?

Answer 8

Eyes should be visualised and check the lens is clear

Question 9

What should the nose look like?

Answer 9

Babies are nasal breathers

The nose id often squashed in utero or it may not be completely patent

Question 10

What should the mouth look like?

Answer 10

A clean finger should be inserted to check cleft palates. Tongue/ tongue tie, neonatal teeth. Lips and muscous membranes should be pink and well perfused

Question 11

What are babies vision be like?

Answer 11

• Babies are sensitive to bright lights they may frown or blink
• Can recognise a human face at a distance of 15-20cm can establish
• Eye contact with the mother which establishes bonding
• Can track a moving object by 5 days and from 2 weeks can differentiate mothers face from a strangers
• No tears are present in newborns therefore they can become infected easily