UNIVERSITY OF BELIZE

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Taking Infant Measurements

PROCEDURE: POINTS: COMMENTS:

1. Sanitize all equipment to be used 0 scale,
infantometer, tape measure, and carbolize surfaces
2. Ensure room warmth
3. Wash hands
4. Don clean gloves
5. Introduce self to mother, explain what you will be
doing.
6. Check infants ID band according to hospital
procedure.
7. Transfer infant appropriately – if not at bedside
use clean bassinet to wheel infant
8. Place on firm surface in blanket
9. Undress infant and cover lightly, can leave on cap
and socks
10. Measure head circumference
Place measuring tape around the skull, above the
eyebrows and around the occiput (normal findings
- 33 to 35cm)
11. Chest circumference
Tape measure is placed around the thorax at the
level of the nipple – usually 2.5 cm less than the
head. (normal findings - 30 - 33 cm)
12. Abdominal circumference
Measure around largest part of abdomen, above
the umbilicus. Usually similar to chest
circumference (normal findings - 30 – 33 cm)
13. Length head to heel – from the top of the head to
the base of the heel (normal findings - 48 -53cm)
Neonate is placed on the Infantometer in the
recumbent position.
Head is held in a sniffing position by an assistant.
The knees are extended and the foot board is
brought to touch the base of the heels.
14. Weigh infant
Ensure scale is lined.
Tare the scale as per manufacturer’s directions.
Remove infant’s socks, cap, and any soiled diaper.
Place infant in center of scale with one hand

1
 hovering over infant. (no blankets)
DO NOT turn your back on the infant.
Note reading.
15. Dresses infant appropriately
16. Returns infant to mother and explains findings
DOCUMENTATION
1. Date and time
2. Findings – measurements
3. Passage of urine or stool in diaper