00:01
Now, let's talk about
measuring the baby.
00:04
We're going to take
several different dimensions.
00:06
So let's break down each one.
00:08
First, let's talk about the length.
00:11
Now, I'm going to give you
some numbers about average links.
00:14
But I want you to know that when we
talk about inches and centimeters,
mathematically,
they may not match up exactly.
00:20
And you're going to find
some differences between
textbooks and unit policies.
00:25
So these are general numbers,
not exact.
00:28
But in general,
the length is going to be anywhere
from 19 to 21 inches,
this is normal,
or 48 to 53 centimeters.
00:37
And you're going to measure
from the tip of the head
all the way down to the heel,
and that's going to give you
the length.
00:43
Next, we're going to measure
the head circumference.
00:45
So you're going to use again,
a pliable tape measure,
and you're going to wrap that
tape measure around the baby's head
right above the eyebrows.
00:53
And the measurement that you
typically will get for most babies
is going to be somewhere between
12.5 inches to 14.5 inches,
or 32.5 to 37.5 centimeters.
01:06
Now remember,
sometimes right after delivery,
especially for a vaginal birth,
the head may be slightly
misshapen due to moulding.
01:15
And so that may change the
head circumference measurement.
01:18
So you want to note
that in your chart.
01:20
Now let's talk about
chest circumference.
01:23
Chest circumference is
going to be measured
right above the nipple line.
01:26
And you can expect that range
to be somewhere between
12 and 13 inches,
or 30 to 34 centimeters.
01:33
You can also compare the
head and chest circumference.
01:37
And if you find that there's more
than a two centimeter discrepancy,
then that's something you
want to investigate further
to make sure that they're
not any other complications.
01:46
Now let's talk about weight.
01:48
So this is going to be probably
in every baby's baby book.
01:52
This is a picture of the baby laying
on the scale next to the weight.
01:56
So typically, we report the
weight to parents in pounds,
but we always chart
newborns weight in grams.
02:04
So the normal gram is going to be
somewhere between
2700 to 4000 grams,
which equates to about
six to nine pounds.
02:13
So I'm hoping you remember our
discussion about thermal regulation
and know that before we placed
the newborn on the scale,
we're going to use some
sort of protective covering
a blanket or one of
those measuring towels.
02:27
Why do we do that?
We're trying to protect the baby
from loss of heat via...
02:33
conduction.
Very, very good.