Congratulations! If you are about to bring a baby with Down syndrome into your family or have already welcomed a little one into your life, you know what an exciting and overwhelming time it can be.
The first thing you need to remember" You have a brand new baby to love! Give your wee one all the snuggles and attention you can muster, and try not to stress about what can seem like an overwhelming diagnosis.
Next, get educated. You may feel inundated with all the information that experts are throwing your way. If that?s the case, stop googling right now! But if you?re hungry for more?or looking for a quick guide that you can share with friends and family?start reading.
What is Down syndrome"
Down syndrome is a congenital condition that affects about one in 700 babies in Canada. In most Down syndrome cases, there is a third copy of chromosome 21 in every cell?a genetic variation called trisomy 21. Most babies are diagnosed after birth. But prenatal screening (via blood test, chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis) may detect the presence of extra genetic material. What are the characteristics of a baby with Down syndrome"
Truly, every baby is different and will have different abilities. Cognitive, motor, speech and language skills will develop at a delayed rate, but some children will experience only minor delays and others will be more significantly impacted. In terms of facial features and other physical characteristics, you can expect:

A flattened fac...