A–Z Glossary

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low blood sugar level that can develop quickly in a young infant with poor intake.

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Blood sugar control insulin use and complications

Blood sugar control insulin use and complications

Why glucose control matters in pregnancy Glucose is the main circulating fuel available to the developing fetus, and maternal blood glucose crosses the placenta readily. Insulin itself does not cross the placenta in meaningful amounts, so when maternal glucose is elevated, the fetal pancreas responds by producing more insulin. This physiology explains why maternal hyperglycemia […]

Skin-to-skin contact explained

Skin-to-skin contact explained

What skin-to-skin contact means Skin-to-skin contact means placing a newborn, usually wearing only a diaper and sometimes a hat, prone against a parent’s bare chest. The baby and parent are then covered with a warm, dry blanket while the baby’s face remains visible. Immediately after birth, the birthing parent is generally the first choice when […]

How babies adapt to new environments

How babies adapt to new environments

The first hours after birth: a major physiologic transition In utero, a fetus is buffered by a constant temperature, continuous nutrient delivery, and a relatively stable sensory environment. Birth ends that protected state abruptly. The newborn must begin thermoregulation, maintain euglycemia, coordinate breathing and circulation, and tolerate intermittent feeding while the autonomic nervous system is […]

Why baby is not gaining weight

Why baby is not gaining weight

What slow weight gain means Babies do not gain weight in a perfectly linear pattern. Short periods of slower gain can occur during minor illness, developmental transitions, or changes in feeding. The clinically relevant question is whether the baby is following an individual growth trajectory and maintaining proportional growth over time. Clinicians commonly assess weight-for-age, […]