STAGES OF

PHYSICAL
DEVELOPMENT
AT BIRTH
A. Size
1. Characterized by:
• Average weight = 7.5 lbs Average height
= 19.5 in.
• Male infants are slightly larger than female
infants.
• Heavy infants lose more weight and for a
longer time than light infants.
• First-born infants generally lose less than
those born later.
• Infants born summer and autumn regain
their birth weight slightly sooner than those
born in winter and spring.
• Second or later-born infants can be fed
sooner than first born , and boys earlier
than girls.
2. Factors that affect
the variability in
birth size
•Matern
al Diet
• Econom
ic Status
• Ordin
al
Position
• Fetal
Activity
B. Physical
Proportions
1. Physical Characteristics:
• The infants head is ¼ of the entire
body length
• The ratio between the cranium and
the face is 8:1
• The infant’s face is broad and short
because of lack of teeth, the
undeveloped condition of the jaws,
and the flatness of the nose.
• The arms, legs and trunk are smaller
in relation of the head
• The abdominal region of the trunk is
C. Infantile Features
• The eyes are bluish gray but change gradually to
whatever permanent color will be.
• Tear glands are inactive so crying is not
accompanied by tears.
• The neck is short and the skin has deep folds.
• Muscles and bones are soft, small and
uncontrolled.
• Flesh is firm and elastic, while the skin is soft and
deep pink in color.
• Sometimes a soft growth of hair is found on the
body, mostly on the back, but it soon disappears.
• Once in every 2,000 births, the infant is born with
one or two teeth.
D. Physiological Functions
• The basal pulse rate of the infant at birth is from
130-150 beats per minute.
• Breathing is rapid, irregular and abdominal in
type.
• The heart is small and needs a rapid beating to
maintain the normal blood pressure.
• There are 8.6 feedings during the first six days of
life.
• Defecation occurs most frequently during the first
half hour after feeding.
• Voidings in a 24-hour period averages 18.6 times.
• Newborn infants sleep from 15-20 hours daily.
• The infants is weakened by hunger, pain and
internal source of discomfort.