Developmental Needs

By understanding and reacting appropriately to an infant's behaviors and physiological responses, we can help them cope with their environment and care-provide in a way that will enhance their growth and development, and foster parental attachment. Here are some cues babies can provide about how they are feeling. Ask your nurse to explain more about the following behaviors:

I'm Not OK:

  • Rapid breathing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Apnea - stops breathing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Pale, dusky, mottled color
  • Startles, twitches
  • Decreased tone, limp
  • Extension of hands and fingers (saluting, finger splaying)
  • Uncontrolled activity
  • Spitting up, hiccoughs
  • Panicked expression
  • Looking away
  • Fussing, crying


    • I'm OK:
  • Regular breathing
  • Stable heart rate
  • Pink color
  • Good muscle tone
  • Flexed posture
  • Smooth movements
  • Calm, shiny eyed alertness
  • Smooth transitions between states (e.g. deep sleep to wide awake and hungry)


    • Babies have their own coping skills, such as:
  • Sucking
  • Hand-to-mouth movements
  • Hand-to-face movements
  • Holding on, grasping
  • Leg bracing
  • Hand clasping
  • Foot clasping
  • Tucking


    • We can help them cope by:
  • Protecting them from light
  • Reducing noise
  • Encouraging flexion of arms, legs (by nesting with blanket rolls, swaddling)
  • Positioning hands next to face
  • Encouraging sucking
  • Encouraging staff and parents to use soft voices and gentle touch to calm babies
  • Compassionate Beginnings Program