Practice Using PFR Strategies After Observing a Video Example of Parents & Baby at 4-month Well-Child Checkup

In this short video clip, it is amazing how much can be observed about this baby and his parents and their relationship. This is also true in our visits.

Observations

Notice the father’s pride and protectiveness. Also notice the baby’s curiosity. He’s intently looking around the room and taking everything in.

As the father lays the baby down for the baby to be weighed and measured, the baby signals that he’s a little worried with a small cry. Both parents respond verbally (mother says “hi baby”) right away. The baby checks for the mother’s face to be sure that he’s ok. The baby fusses a little again as he’s getting stretched out to be measured but again keeps his eyes on his parents and calms down.

Back in the room, his parents continue to talk with him and keep him covered up to keep him warm and feeling protected.

Later, when the baby receives his immunizations, you can see how curious he is. Remarkably, he only starts to cry after the 4th injection. Both parents comfort him and pat him and talk to him and he is quickly regulated and starts cooing again. He continues to be very curious (exploring his new environment since he feels safe).

His parent’s verbalizations to him are responsive to what he’s communicating to them. This helps him feel safe and also helps him learn language more readily.

Using Our Relationship-Based Model of Care, What Might We Say as Provider to the Parents?

” Your baby is so curious. He’s just looking at everything from the safety of your arms.”

“I noticed when he was worried while being measured that he looked for you and then calmed down as soon as he saw your face and heard your voice.”

“It’s so great how you stayed close to him and talked to him the whole time he was getting his immunizations. It helped him so much to get through getting 4 vaccines in a row.”