GLOSSARY

Clapping
-Rhythmic patting of a swaddled and blanketed baby’s bottom.

C-Position
-Placement of an infant’s body so that it resembles the letter C (also known as the fetal position).

Depressant
-Any drug (such as alcohol, barbiturates or tranquilizers) that acts on the central nervous system to produce both euphoria (feeling no pain) and drowsiness.

Disorganized suck
-Inability of an infant to latch on to a nipple and suck regularly enough to get formula into the mouth.

Excoriation
-Breakdown of skin resulting from rubbing against a surface.

Gastrointestinal
-Relating to digestion in the stomach and intestines

Hypersensitivity
-Greater than normal response to any stimulus (such as light, sound and movement)

Mottling
-Discoloration of skin resembling marbling, typically on chest, trunk arms or legs.

Muscle Tone
-The degree of rigidly in a muscle, associated with a muscle’s ability to return to its original position when stretched.

Pediatric
-Relating to the care of infants and young children

Regurgitation
-Non-projectile vomiting of stomach contents.

Respiratory Rate
-Speed of breathing.

Stimulant
-Any drug that increases the activity of the heart and provides an overall sense of well being, at least temporarily.

Stool
-Feces. The result of a bowel movement.

Swaddling
-A method of folding a blanket around an infant’s body to restrain arm movement and give comfort.

Therapeutic Handling
-Special techniques developed to care for drug-exposed infants.

Tremor
-Involuntary rhythmical movements resembling quivering, a part of the body.

Vertical rock
-Slow rhythmic up-an-down movement of an infant in a C-position