Final answer:
When handling a newborn, it is important to support their head and neck, use gentle touch, and maintain a calm environment. Reflexes like the Moro and grasping reflexes, as well as the baby's sense of touch and response to familiar voices, play a role in how to safely interact with a newborn.
Step-by-step explanation:
When picking up or holding a newborn, special precautions are necessary due to their delicate state and developing physical features. Newborns have reflexes such as the Moro reflex and the grasping reflex that help them maintain close physical contact and ensure safety. It's crucial to always support a newborn's head and neck as they do not have the muscle strength to hold it up on their own. Additionally, one must be gentle in touch since newborns have a well-developed sense of touch and respond well to soft stroking and cuddling.
It is also essential to create a calm environment as newborns can be startled by loud or sudden noises. Being aware of the sense of touch, their responsiveness to human voices—particularly the mother's voice—and their acute sense of smell plays an essential role in how one should interact with a newborn, providing comfort and security. Physical interactions with the newborn should be performed gently and calmly to promote a sense of safety and comfort.
The physical development of a newborn in the first two months includes milestones such as holding their head up steadily. It's important for caregivers to encourage this development through proper handling techniques, ensuring the baby's head is supported during these early stages of growth.