Guess the Age (infant)
Birth weight doubles
5-6 months old
Major cause of death for ages 6-12 months
•Motor vehicle accidents: Account for the single greatest threat to an infant’s life
•Aspiration
•Asphyxiation/Suffocation
•Falls
•Poisoning
•Burns water temp less than 120 degrees
•Lead exposure
•Furniture falling on child
What activities are appropriate for ages 0-2 months
music, rocking, cuddling, reading
Characteristics of this age group
(weight, height, body proportion, belly, teeth, motor skills)
•Physical growth slows after first year
•Birth weight usually quadruples by age 2-3 years
•4 to 6 pounds/year
•By age 2 to 3, height is ½ that of adult height: 3 inches/year
•Longer legs, head size more proportionate to body
•Immature abdominal musculature gives toddler a pot-bellied appearance (exaggerated lumbar curve)
•About 30 months old, all 20 baby teeth present
•Progressive motor skills: Walking to running
Teeth erupt around this age
6-7 months
Causes of early childhood dental caries
•Occurs when an infant is allowed to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk or juice
•Carbohydrate-rich fluids bathe teeth for long periods of time
•Fluid pools around upper anterior teeth
•Involves incisors first and spreads to other teeth
•Salivary flow decreases and acid buffering is decreased
What activities are appropriate for ages 3-6 months
play with fingers/toes, toys such as rattles, stuffed animals, musical toys
By this age the infant can support their head
4 months
Interventions to prevent dental caries
•Avoid putting child to bed with bottle: If bedtime bottle is necessary, use plain water
•Child should not walk around with a bottle
•Teach dental care:
Wipe teeth twice a day with moist gauze or washcloth, cotton swab, or small toothbrush
No toothpaste until child is able to spit it out & not swallow toothpaste
Visit dentist early: 6 mos after 1st primary tooth and no later than 12 mos
What activities are appropriate for ages 6-12 months
peak-a-boo, nesting cups, teething toys, music for naps/sleep, blocks
Brings objects to mouth
3 months
When can solid foods begin?
•Able to sit
•Infant weighs at least 13 lbs
•Can reach for objects, maintains balance
•Indicates a desire for food (opens mouth & leans forward)
•Extrusion reflex (tongue thrust) has disappeared
•Moves food to back of throat & swallows during spoon feedings
•AAP recommends semi-solid food at 6 months
Hours of sleep for infants
17-20 hours/day
stranger anxiety
6-7 months
Foods to AVOID for infants
•Avoid hot dogs, hard vegetables, candy, whole grapes, peanut butter, marshmallows, seeds, popcorn, & nuts
HONEY - botulism
OTHER
•Finger foods are introduced between 8-10 mos when the infants palmar and then pincer grasps develop, and teeth begin to erupt.
•Encourage parents to remain with infants and small children when they are eating finger foods. Never leave them unattended.
•Cut foods in small irregular shapes to avoid choking
•Some finger foods can slip easily into the throat and cause choking