Unit 1 You and Others 56
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Newborns do not have strong muscles. They have trouble controlling their
actions. They cannot hold up their heads by themselves. Their heads, therefore,
should be supported at all times. Babies’ bodies need to be held fi rmly and
securely for many months. Figure
2-5
shows how to support a baby’s body.
Although their muscles are not strong, newborns are still able to
perform some tasks. They use refl ex movements. A
refl ex
is a natural,
unlearned behavior. Some refl exes are grasping, sucking, and rooting.
The Palmar (grasping) refl ex occurs when babies grasp any object placed in
their hands. The rooting refl ex occurs when you touch babies around their
mouths, their heads turn, and their mouths search for food. The sucking
refl ex begins after newborns fi nd objects with their mouths. The rooting and
sucking refl exes help babies survive. These refl exes disappear within three
to four months, when the muscles become stronger.
Newborns are aware of their surroundings. They can see, hear, feel,
smell, and taste at birth. Their senses, however, are immature. A baby’s senses
develop and become stronger as the baby matures. Keep this in mind as you
care for babies. Appropriate activities and toys help babies develop in all ways.
Infants’ bodies need to be supported along
the back and neck until their muscles
become stronger.
2-5
Reading
Review
1. How are babies dependent on others
at birth? Give examples.
2. How do the rooting and sucking
refl exes help babies survive?
3. When caring for babies, why should
you be aware of the development of
their senses?
Two to Three
Months
Infant
is the term used to describe a
child from one month of age to one year
of age. As infants grow, they spend more
hours awake. They have different ways
of letting adults know what they want.
When babies are awake, they may let
adults know they want to play by smiling,
cooing, and gently waving their arms and
legs. When they get tired of playing, they
may frown or look away.
Crying is one way infants
communicate. They cannot tell you with
words what they want or need. They have