A
soft hand is what every baby need.
A newborn's shoulders
and hips are narrow, the abdomen protrudes slightly, and
the arms and legs are relatively short. The average birth
weight of a full-term newborn is approximately 7 ½
lbs.(3.2 kg), but is typically in the range of 5.5·10
pounds (2.7·4.6 kg). The average total body length
is 14·20 inches (35.6·50.8 cm), although
premature newborns may be much smaller. The Apgar score
is a measure of a newborn's transition from the uterus
during the first minutes of life.
Newborns can feel all different sensations, but respond
most enthusiastically to soft stroking, cuddling and caressing.
Gentle rocking back and forth often calms a crying infant,
as do massages and warm baths. Newborns may comfort themselves
by sucking their thumb, or a pacifier. The need to suckle
is instinctive (see suction in biology) and allows newborns
to feed... |
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