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Gestational Ages

36 Weeks and Older

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 Before Your Baby Is Born

  • Body, arms and legs are plump with many creases and folds in skin.

  • Arms, legs and head are in a flexed position.

  • Lungs are developing.

  • Feeding, sleeping and activity patterns are being established.

  • Babies born at this age will not usually require specialized care, unless there is a complication.

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Appearance

  • Baby looks plump and well formed.

  • Arms and legs remain close to body with elbows and knees bent.

  • Skin is smooth and soft.

  • Facial features often look like a family member.

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Tone and Posture

  • Muscles are strong.

  • Baby holds arms and legs flexed and drawn up close to body.

  • When baby is held in sitting position, the head remains upright for a few seconds.

  • When held, your baby will snuggle.

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Movement

  • Movements are smooth, controlled and appear purposeful.

  • May be observed bringing hand to mouth, sucking a finger, waving arms and legs, and wiggling body.

  • Head is able to turn from side to side.

  • Grasp is usually strong.

  • Your baby is able to straighten his/her arms, legs and body.

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Vision

  • Your baby is able to focus, follow and maintain eye contact with you.

  • He/she will turn eyes and/or head to soft light or moving object.

  • He/she likes patterns and curves but prefers the human face.

  • He/she may enjoy following a bright toy or a hanging object.

  • He/she will look away when tired.

  • Your baby still has poor eye control; eyes may appear crossed at times.

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Hearing

  •  May be startled by loud noises.

  •  May turn head and/or eyes toward sound.

  •  May block out irritating sounds or sounds that are frequently heard.

  •  Likes the human voice.

  •  Knows mother’s voice.

  • Allow your baby to experience various sounds like bells, rattles and music boxes.

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Feeding

  • The pattern of suck, swallow and breathing, which is needed for nipple feeding, is strong and well-coordinated.

  • The gag reflex, which keeps the baby from choking, is complete.

  • The rooting reflex is strong.

  • Infant may tire quickly when feeding.

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Touching

  • A gentle touch may be relaxing.

  • Enjoys being covered, wrapped or contained.

  • Knows the difference between pleasurable and painful touch.

  • If your baby is very sick, too much touching may be irritating.

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Behavior

  • Your baby sleeps approximately 75 percent of the time but is able to wake up on own and remain alert for several minutes.

  • When awake, your baby may be actively moving or remain laying quiet.

  • He/she may show distinct periods of attention or interest to stimuli.

  • He/she enjoys social contact.

  • Crying is used to signal a need or to show pain, discomfort or hunger.

  • Your baby can often quiet or calm self.

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Things To Do For Your Baby

  • Hold your baby with arms and legs pulled up close to face and abdomen.

  • Encourage your baby to bring hands to mouth.

  • Let your baby grasp your finger.

  • Support your baby’s head.

  • Hold your baby close to your body and use different positions when holding.

  • Place in soft pumpkin seat for short periods of time.

  • Position your baby so eyes are shaded from bright lights to encourage eye opening.

  • Watch for approach signals so your baby will be alert and ready for contact.

  • Hold your baby about 8-12 inches from your face for better infant focusing.

  • Show objects that have different patterns, such as black and white.

  • May become tired trying to focus on you; watch for time-out signals.

  • Talk, sing or read stories in a soft voice.

  • Record and play soothing music or record voices of family members for your baby to hear.

  • Call your baby by name.

  • Change voice tones when speaking.

  • Project your voice on both sides of your baby’s head to encourage turning toward the sound and searching for the sound.

  • Breast-or bottle-feed when possible.

  • Gently rub top, bottom and sides of mouth to elicit the rooting reflex.

  • Shield your baby’s eyes from bright lights during feeds.

  • Offer a pacifier.

  • Use your baby’s signals to guide touching and holding.

  • Encourage your baby to touch different textures, including fabrics, toys and skin.

  • Encourage your baby to learn about his/her own body by touching baby’s hand to hand, hand to head, hand to knee or foot and foot to foot. Bath time may provide a good opportunity for learning.

  • Learn about kangaroo care. This is when mom or dad holds the baby on their chest with the baby’s skin next to theirs.

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"I’m Overwhelmed" Behaviors (see "I’m Overwhelmed" Behaviors Section)

These behaviors may mean your baby is stressed and needs a rest.

  • Change in breathing pattern

  • Change in heart rate

  • Change in color

  • A worried face

  • Frowning

  • Limp posture

  • Looking away

  • Frantic movements

  • Tremors or startles

  • Widening of fingers

  • Arching posture

  • Closing eyes

  • Yawning

  • Hiccups

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"I'm Ready" Behaviors (see "I'm Ready" Behaviors section)

These behaviors may mean your baby is ready for interaction.

  • Awake and quiet

  • Bright and shiny eyes

  • Focused attention (looking)

  • Making cooing sounds

  • Decrease in activity

  • Sucking movements

  • Face, arms and legs relaxed

  • Turning toward sound

  • Fingers curled

36 Weeks and Older

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