What a Newborn Really Looks Like
Your Baby’s Eyes
Right after birth, a newborn may have eyelids that are swollen or puffy. This often happens because pressure on the face during delivery causes swelling. The swelling usually gets better in the first couple of days. A newborn’s eyes may appear crossed for the first few weeks because the muscles that control eye movement are still developing. Over the first months, the eyes usually straighten out on their own.
Eye color can change during the first half of the year. Many babies start out with blue or gray eyes that may darken or shift as more pigment develops. Parents usually see the final eye color after the child is at least six months old.
Key Points
- Swollen eyelids are common and fade quickly.
- Eyes may look crossed at first.
- Eye color may change over time.
Shape and Size of Your Baby’s Head
A newborn’s head can look unusual right after birth. The shape is often elongated or cone-shaped, especially if labor lasted a long time or tools like a vacuum extractor were used. This shape helps the baby move through the birth canal.
Babies delivered by planned cesarean sections or breech deliveries (feet or bottom first) often have a naturally round head at birth, since the skull hasn’t been squeezed through the birth canal. Over a few days, most babies’ heads become more rounded as the bones shift back into place.
Table: Common Shapes of Newborn Heads
| Delivery Type | Head Shape |
|---|---|
| Vaginal (long labor) | More cone-shaped |
| Vaginal (short labor) | Slightly elongated |
| Cesarean | Rounder |
| Breech | Rounder |
The Soft Areas on Top of Your Baby’s Head
A baby has two soft spots on the head, called fontanels. A thick layer covers these areas, and you can touch them gently. The fontanels allow the baby’s head to change shape during birth and give the skull room to grow as the brain develops.
- Front Fontanel: This is shaped like a diamond and is the larger of the two. It is about the size of a quarter, roughly one inch (2.5 cm) wide.
- Back Fontanel: This one is smaller, about the size of a dime (just over half an inch, 1.3 cm).
You might notice the soft spot moving or pulsing when your baby cries or strains. The fontanels close as the skull bones grow together, usually by two years old.
- Fontanels are soft but covered and protected.
- It is normal to see movement in these spots.
- They close naturally as children grow.
Your Baby’s Belly Button Area
After birth, a piece of the umbilical cord stays attached to the baby’s belly. It starts off yellow-green and is clamped close to the skin. The stump dries and changes color, going from yellow-green to brown and then to black before it falls off within one to three weeks. You should keep this area clean and dry. Folding the diaper below the umbilical stump helps air get to the area and prevents irritation.
Umbilical Care Tips
- Do not submerge the baby in water until the stump falls off; use sponge baths.
- Keep the diaper folded down away from the stump.
- There is no need to use rubbing alcohol or creams.
Umbilical Cord Timeline Table
| Time After Birth | Color/Appearance | Care Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Yellow-green | Keep clean and dry |
| Days 3-7 | Brown, drying | Avoid pulling/tugging |
| 1-3 weeks | Black, shriveled | Falls off naturally |
Your Baby’s Skin and Common Blemishes
Newborn skin comes in many shades and textures. It can appear blotchy or have patches of different color. Peeling skin, especially on hands and feet, is typical in the first few weeks as the top layer sheds. Some newborns have small white bumps on their faces, known as milia. These bumps do not need to be squeezed or treated. They usually go away on their own within weeks.
A baby might also have fine, fuzzy body hair called lanugo, mostly visible on the back and shoulders. This hair is more common in premature babies and disappears gradually. Marks from birth, such as bruises, may show if labor lasted a long time or if tools like forceps were used. These usually fade after a week or two.
List of Common Skin Changes
- Peeling or flaky skin
- White facial bumps (milia)
- Fine body hair (lanugo)
- Temporary bruises or red patches
Skin Care Basics
- Use mild soap and water; daily baths are not necessary.
- Keep baby’s skin moisturized if dry.
- Do not rub or scrub the bumps or spots.
Spots and Marks on Your Baby’s Skin
Birthmarks can show up at birth or in the first weeks of life. They might be pink, red, brown, blue-gray, or even faded green. Their size and color can change over time.
Types of Birthmarks
- Salmon Patches: Pink or red spots, often on the back of the neck, eyelids, or between the eyes. They may look brighter when the baby cries and are sometimes called “stork bites” or “angel kisses.” Most fade over a few months to years.
- Blue-Gray Spots: Common in babies with African or Asian heritage. These usually appear on the lower back or buttocks and may be mistaken for bruises. These marks often fade during early childhood.
- Other Marks: Some birthmarks might stay for years, while others fade or disappear quickly.
Table: Common Birthmark Types
| Type | Appearance | Typical Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon patch | Pink/red, flat | Neck, eyelids | Months–years |
| Blue-gray mark | Blue/gray, flat | Lower back, buttocks | Years–childhood |
| Café-au-lait spot | Light brown, oval | Any body part | May persist |
Swelling in the Chest and Private Parts
Hormones passed from the mother to the baby before birth can affect the newborn’s breasts and genitals. Both boys and girls may have swollen breast tissue, sometimes producing a tiny bit of discharge. This swelling goes away as hormone levels drop.
Female newborns can have swollen labia or a little vaginal discharge, sometimes even spotting. For boys, the scrotum (the skin holding the testicles) may look puffy right after birth, especially if the baby was breech or born feet first. This puffiness, called hydrocele, comes from trapped fluid and usually goes away within weeks.
Notable Points
- Swelling in breasts and genitals is common and temporary.
- Both boys and girls can show these changes.
- Ask your healthcare provider about any concerns.
List: Possible Temporary Changes
- Swollen breast tissue with or without discharge.
- Puffy labia or a mild, clear vaginal discharge (girls).
- Swelling in the scrotum (boys).
Your First Moments Seeing Your Newborn
A first view of a baby can be surprising. Most newborns have wrinkled skin and might be wet or covered in a white, cheesy coating from before birth. Tiny amounts of blood may also be present from delivery, which can look alarming but is normal. Newborn legs often appear bowed or bent because of how the baby was curled up before birth. Arms and legs usually straighten as the baby grows.
The medical team checks the baby thoroughly in the delivery room. If both baby and parent are well, early skin-to-skin contact often follows. This closeness helps keep the baby warm and calm.
What to Expect in the First Hour
- The baby’s skin may look bluish at first, then become pinker.
- The baby’s cry and breathing are checked.
- The parent may feel a rush of emotions or feel tired, nervous, or excited.
Caregivers’ Reactions Vary
Not everyone feels an immediate bond; relationships may grow over time. Medical staff can answer questions and offer support.
Observation List
- Wet, wrinkled skin
- Possible swelling or bending of legs
- White or cheesy coating on the skin
- Gentle reassurance from medical professionals
Each baby and experience is unique. Having clear, realistic expectations helps caregivers feel more confident and comfortable as they get to know their newborn.
