Topic 1 DQ 2

Within the first year of life, or the infancy period, the rapid growth and development a baby experiences contribute to behaviors that can have an effect on the physical and emotional wellbeing of an individual throughout their lifetime. A thorough nursing assessment that incorporates physical, psychosocial, and psychomotor helps the nurse to identify any delays in development, as well as health promotion needs (Green, 2020).

During infancy, rapid changes lead to the development of growth and skills. By 9 months, the development of fine motor skills and gross motor skills in an infant generally includes banging objects on tables, transferring objects from hand to hand, feeding themselves finger foods, crawling, sitting without support, ability to get into the sitting position, pulling themselves to stand, making stepping movements, potentially drinking from a cup with help, poking objects, and scribbling with crayons (Green, 2020). Additionally, the infant’s weight should be at least double, and almost triple, the original birthweight, with about 10 to 12 inches of growth in length (Mayo Clinic, n.d.b). Language development is occurring during infancy, and crying is an infant’s initial means of communication. By 9 months, the baby should be babbling, blowing bubbles, laughing, or imitating sounds and beginning to respond to some verbal commands (Green, 2020). Indications of appropriate psychosocial development for this age would be evident by the infant’s needs being met by their parents and be able to be consoled by the parents if upset.

The child presented is in the 25^th percentile for length and the 5^th percentile for weight, according to the CDC growth chart. Based on these findings, the infant’s nutritional needs need to be thoroughly assessed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (2012), recommends that between 6 and 12 months, infants should continue to breastfeed while gradually being introduced to solid foods including crackers, whole wheat toasts, small pieces of fruit or cooked vegetables, diced cheese and mashed egg yolk.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827-e841. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-3552

Green, S. (2020). Health Assessment: Foundations for Effective Practice. Retrieved 7 August 2020, from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs434vn/health-assessment-foundations-for-effective-practice/v1.1/#/chapter/1

Mayo Clinic. Infant and toddler health: Expert answers. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-growth/faq-20058037