Saint Joseph Hospital & Good Samaritan Hospital
Neonatal Intensive Care Units
(NICU)
Gestational Ages
36 Weeks and Older
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Before Your Baby Is Born
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Body, arms and legs are plump with many creases and folds in skin.
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Arms, legs and head are in a flexed position.
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Lungs are developing.
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Feeding, sleeping and activity patterns are being established.
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Babies born at this age will not usually require specialized care, unless there is a complication.
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Appearance
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Baby looks plump and well formed.
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Arms and legs remain close to body with elbows and knees bent.
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Skin is smooth and soft.
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Facial features often look like a family member.
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Tone and Posture
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Muscles are strong.
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Baby holds arms and legs flexed and drawn up close to body.
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When baby is held in sitting position, the head remains upright for a few seconds.
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When held, your baby will snuggle.
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Movement
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Movements are smooth, controlled and appear purposeful.
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May be observed bringing hand to mouth, sucking a finger, waving arms and legs, and wiggling body.
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Head is able to turn from side to side.
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Grasp is usually strong.
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Your baby is able to straighten his/her arms, legs and body.
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Vision
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Your baby is able to focus, follow and maintain eye contact with you.
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He/she will turn eyes and/or head to soft light or moving object.
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He/she likes patterns and curves but prefers the human face.
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He/she may enjoy following a bright toy or a hanging object.
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He/she will look away when tired.
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Your baby still has poor eye control; eyes may appear crossed at times.
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Hearing
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May be startled by loud noises.
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May turn head and/or eyes toward sound.
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May block out irritating sounds or sounds that are frequently heard.
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Likes the human voice.
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Knows mother’s voice.
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Allow your baby to experience various sounds like bells, rattles and music boxes.
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Feeding
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The pattern of suck, swallow and breathing, which is needed for nipple feeding, is strong and well-coordinated.
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The gag reflex, which keeps the baby from choking, is complete.
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The rooting reflex is strong.
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Infant may tire quickly when feeding.
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Touching
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A gentle touch may be relaxing.
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Enjoys being covered, wrapped or contained.
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Knows the difference between pleasurable and painful touch.
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If your baby is very sick, too much touching may be irritating.
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Behavior
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Your baby sleeps approximately 75 percent of the time but is able to wake up on own and remain alert for several minutes.
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When awake, your baby may be actively moving or remain laying quiet.
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He/she may show distinct periods of attention or interest to stimuli.
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He/she enjoys social contact.
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Crying is used to signal a need or to show pain, discomfort or hunger.
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Your baby can often quiet or calm self.
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Things To Do For Your Baby
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Hold your baby with arms and legs pulled up close to face and abdomen.
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Encourage your baby to bring hands to mouth.
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Let your baby grasp your finger.
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Support your baby’s head.
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Hold your baby close to your body and use different positions when holding.
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Place in soft pumpkin seat for short periods of time.
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Position your baby so eyes are shaded from bright lights to encourage eye opening.
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Watch for approach signals so your baby will be alert and ready for contact.
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Hold your baby about 8-12 inches from your face for better infant focusing.
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Show objects that have different patterns, such as black and white.
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May become tired trying to focus on you; watch for time-out signals.
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Talk, sing or read stories in a soft voice.
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Record and play soothing music or record voices of family members for your baby to hear.
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Call your baby by name.
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Change voice tones when speaking.
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Project your voice on both sides of your baby’s head to encourage turning toward the sound and searching for the sound.
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Breast-or bottle-feed when possible.
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Gently rub top, bottom and sides of mouth to elicit the rooting reflex.
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Shield your baby’s eyes from bright lights during feeds.
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Offer a pacifier.
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Use your baby’s signals to guide touching and holding.
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Encourage your baby to touch different textures, including fabrics, toys and skin.
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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.
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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.
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Change in breathing pattern
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Change in heart rate
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Change in color
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A worried face
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Frowning
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Limp posture
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Looking away
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Frantic movements
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Tremors or startles
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Widening of fingers
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Arching posture
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Closing eyes
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Yawning
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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.
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Awake and quiet
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Bright and shiny eyes
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Focused attention (looking)
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Making cooing sounds
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Decrease in activity
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Sucking movements
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Face, arms and legs relaxed
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Turning toward sound
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Fingers curled