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Theme 4: New-born reflexes. - Coggle Diagram
Theme 4: New-born reflexes.
Transition to independent breathing.
First breath: Factors trigger a newborn to take their first breath.
Clamping the cord: Cutting the umbilical cord interrupts the supply of oxygen-rich blood, stimulating the breathing centres in the brain.
Crying: The first big cry helps clear fluid from the lungs and fill them with air.
Sensory stimulation: Sudden change in temperature, light, and handling stimulates breathing reflexes.
Rapid adaptation: Within minutes, most babies establish a breathing pattern. Some may need extra support to initiate breathing effectively.
Foetal lungs: The foetus gets oxygen from the placenta through the umbilical cord. Their lungs are filled with fluid and not yet used for breathing.
Changes in blood circulation.
Post-birth changes: Once a baby starts breathing and the umbilical cord is cut, changes occur:
Increased lung blood flow: Oxygenated blood raises pressure in the left atrium, causing the foramen ovale to close.
Ductus closure: The shift in blood oxygen levels triggers the ductus arteriosus to constrict and close.
Adult circulation pattern: This closing of foetal structures establishes the normal "adult" pattern of circulation, where lungs are responsible for oxygenation.
Foetal circulation: A foetus has structures that divert oxygenated blood away from the lungs and towards vital organs:
Foramen ovale: An opening between the atrias, allowing blood to bypass the lungs.
Ductus arteriosus: Shunts blood away from the lungs to the aorta.
Primitive reflexes.
Moro (Startle):
Development: Present at birth; most noticeable in the first 2 months, then fades.
Description: A loud or sudden stimuli triggers a baby to throw back their head, fling out limbs then curl them in. Often followed by crying
Babinski:
Description: Stroking the sole of a baby's foot causes their toes to fan out and big toe curls upwards.
Development: Present at birth; diminishes around 12 months, though it can remain for longer.
Grasping:
Development: Strong at birth: palmar grasp fades at 5-6 months, replaced by voluntary grasp.
Description: Placing a finger in a baby's palm causes them to grasp it.
Swimming:
Description: A baby placed face-down in water will make paddling and kicking movements.
Development: Emerges shortly after birth and fades around 4-6 months.
Sucking:
Development: Present at birth, crucial for feeding: remains throughout life with modifications.
Description: Triggered by something touching the roof of a baby's mouth, they initiate a sucking motion
Stepping:
Description: When upright with feet touching a surface, a baby makes stepping motions.
Development: Present in the first few months and then disappears, later reappearing as voluntary walking around 12 months.
Rooting:
Development: Present at birth, crucial for feeding: typically fades in 3-4 months.
Description: When a baby's cheek is stroked, they turn their head towards the tough and open their mouth.
Labyrinthine:
Description: Tilting a baby's head causes them to adjust their body position to keep their head level.
Development: Appears around 2 months and persists, becoming integrated into complex balance responses.
Postural reflexes:
These reflexes aid in developing balance and posture. They often emerge slightly later than primitive reflexes.
Practice for life outside the womb.
Sucking and swallowing: Foetuses practice them in the womb, preparing them to feed after they're born.
Movement and muscle development: Movements help build muscle strength and coordination that will be vital for a baby's motor development outside the womb.
Breathing movements: Foetuses practice rhythmic movements that mimic breathing. This strengthens muscles for respiration after birth.
Sensory development.
Smell.
Mother recognition: Babies can identify their mother by her scent within days of birth.
Building preferences: Early smell experiences play a role in bonding and food preferences.
Strong foundations: Sense of smell is well-developed at birth, likely from exposure to scents in the womb.
Hearing.
Familiar voices: A preference for familiar voices, particularly their mother's and sounds they were exposed to in the womb.
Sensitivity to pitch: Babies are particularly tuned in to high-pitched sounds like a mother's voice.
Functional, not perfect: Babies can hear, but their hearing is a bit muffled compared to adults.
Taste.
Sensitivity to others: They can distinguish sour and bitter tastes, and their sense of taste develops rapidly in the early months.
Exposure matters: Early taste experiences in amniotic fluid and breastmilk may shape food preferences.
Preference for sweet: Babies have a preference for sweet tastes, signaling a good energy source like breastmilk.
Touch.
Sensitivity: Babies are remarkably sensitive, especially around the mouth, hands, feet, and genitals
Importance: Touch is crucial for bonding, soothing, and helps babies learn about their environment.
Most developed: Touch is a newborn's strongest sense. They've been experiencing touch in the womb for months.
Vision.
Contrast is key: They are attracted to high-contrast patterns and bold colours.
Preference for faces: Babies show a preference for face-like patterns, an early sign of social development.
Blurry world: Newborn vision is the least mature sense. Its blurry and they see best at close range.
Rapid change: Vision development is incredibly rapid in the first few months of life.