Normal assessment in the newborn o If an adult comes positive in this reflex, it will

 Birth length: 48-53 cm (19-21 inches) — make indicate mental disorder

use of the tape measure from the tip of the foot
to the tip of the head of the baby
 Birth weight: 2,700 - 4,000 g (6-9 pounds)
 V/S:
o HR = 120-140 bpm
o RR = 30-60 bpm
o BP = 65/41 mmHg
o Temp: 36.5-37 C (97.5-98 F)
 Head circumference: 33-35 cm (13-14 inches)
— it makes up 25% of the fetal length
 Anterior Fontanel closes between 12-18 months
 Posterior fontanel closes at 2-3 months
 Molding disappears in 72 hrs
 Caput succedaneum (edema of the soft scalp
tissue) subsides in few days
 Cephalhematoma (blood formation in
periosteum and skull bone) will be absorbed
within 6 weeks
 Head lag when the baby is pulled into sitting
position.
 Plantar - when you run a thumb at the lateral
under surface of the feet, the toes will curl down
 Moro/hug reflex - when they hear a loud sharp
noise, they will stretch their arms and legs close
to the body as if aiming for an embrace.
(Usually disappear by 4 months of age)
 Crawl - when the baby is on a firm surface and
they turn on their abdomen, crawling
movements will automatically follow.
 Step or dance - when you put the baby
standing on a firm surface, their feet will
automatically dance.

Chest
 Circumference is 31-33 cm

Changes in Stooling Pattern of Newborn

1. Meconium - (first stool) composed of amniotic
fluid and its constituents, intestinal secretions
and possibly blood ingested from maternal
blood. (Color is dark and should occur within
the first 24-48 hrs after delivery)
2. Transitional stool - third day after the initiation
of feeding and the color is usually appears
greenish brown to yellowish brown, thin and
less sticky than meconium
3. Milk Stool - appears on the fourth day after the
initiation of feeding.
 In breast-fed infants, stools are yellow to
golden, are pasty in consistency and have
an odor similar to that of sour milk.
 In formula-fed infants, stool are firmer in
consistency and have a more offensive
odor.

Neuromuscular Development
 Rooting reflex - touch the baby’s cheek and
the baby should follow
 Sucking reflex - place an object close to the
mouth
 Palmar Grasp - place the finger on the palm of
the baby’s hand and lift the infant off
 Babinski - run a thumb up middle under
surface of infant’s food and the toes will
separate and flare out