Understanding Your Newborn

Bringing home a newborn can feel overwhelming.

Many first-time parents spend the first few weeks wondering:

"Is this normal?"

The good news is that many things newborns do can look surprising, strange, or even a little alarming, but are actually completely normal parts of newborn development.

This guide covers some of the most common newborn characteristics and explains what parents can expect during the first days, weeks, and months.

Hormone-Related Changes After Birth

During pregnancy, babies are exposed to their mother's hormones. After birth, it takes time for those hormones to leave the baby's body.

Because of this, newborns may experience a few surprising changes.

Breast Swelling

Both baby boys and girls can develop swollen breast tissue during the first days of life.

This is caused by maternal hormones and is completely normal.

The breast tissue may feel soft or firm and can sometimes be surprisingly noticeable.

It typically improves as the hormones leave the baby's body.

Do not massage or squeeze the area, as this can cause irritation or infection.

Witch's Milk

Some newborns may have a small amount of fluid leaking from the nipples.

This is sometimes called witch's milk.

Although it can be surprising, it is a normal response to maternal hormones and usually resolves on its own.

Vaginal Discharge or a Mini Period

Some newborn girls may have:

• A white vaginal discharge

• Pink-tinged discharge

• Small amounts of blood in the diaper

This can happen during the first few weeks of life and is caused by maternal hormones.

It is sometimes called a "mini period" and is usually normal.

Finding blood in your baby's diaper can be alarming, but this is a common newborn phenomenon.

If you are ever unsure, contact your healthcare provider.

Your Baby's Head

Newborn Heads Are Designed for Birth

A newborn's skull is made up of several separate bones connected by flexible joints called sutures.

This allows the head to:

• Pass through the birth canal

• Accommodate rapid brain growth

Over time, these bones gradually fuse together.

Soft Spots (Fontanelles)

The soft spot on the top of your baby's head is called a fontanelle.

Many parents are afraid to touch it, but it is perfectly safe to gently touch or wash around the area.

You may even notice a slight pulse. This is normal.

The larger soft spot on top of the head typically closes sometime between 6 and 18 months.

Caput and Cephalohematoma

Some babies are born with swelling on the scalp following birth.

This swelling may look dramatic but usually improves on its own over time.

Always discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Eyes, Ears, Nose & Mouth

Crossed Eyes

Newborns are still learning how to coordinate their eye muscles.

It is normal for a baby's eyes to occasionally appear crossed during the first few months.

Blocked Tear Ducts

A newborn may have watery eyes or occasional tearing.

This is often caused by a blocked tear duct and usually improves on its own.

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice significant redness, swelling, or yellow discharge.

Stuffy Noses

Newborns are noisy breathers.

They may sound congested even when they are perfectly healthy.

This is common because their nasal passages are very small.

Epstein Pearls

You may notice tiny white bumps on the roof of your baby's mouth or gums.

These are called Epstein pearls.

They are harmless and disappear on their own.

Thrush vs. Milk Residue

Milk often leaves a white coating on a baby's tongue.

This can usually be wiped away.

Thrush is different.

Thrush typically appears as white patches inside the cheeks, lips, or tongue that do not easily wipe off.

If you suspect thrush, contact your healthcare provider.

Skin Changes

Newborn skin can be fascinating, and sometimes confusing.

Many normal newborn skin findings look concerning even though they are harmless.

Vernix

Some babies are born covered in a thick white coating called vernix.

Vernix helped protect your baby's skin during pregnancy.

Many hospitals now support leaving some vernix on the skin because it may help moisturize and protect the newborn.

Lanugo

Lanugo is the soft, fine hair that sometimes covers a newborn's shoulders, back, arms, or face.

It is especially common in premature babies.

Lanugo usually disappears on its own.

Erythema Toxicum

This rash consists of red blotches with tiny white or yellow bumps in the center.

Despite its intimidating name, it is harmless and extremely common.

Many babies develop this rash during the first week of life.

Milia

Tiny white bumps on the nose, cheeks, or forehead are called milia.

These are harmless and often look like little pimples.

They disappear on their own without treatment.

Newborn Acne

Some babies develop acne-like bumps on the face during the first few weeks of life.

This is common and usually resolves without treatment.

Avoid applying lotions, oils, or acne products unless directed by your healthcare provider.

Dry, Peeling Skin

Many newborns have dry or peeling skin, especially on the hands, feet, and ankles.

After spending nine months in a fluid-filled environment, their skin is adjusting to life outside the womb.

This is normal and usually improves naturally.

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap appears as greasy, flaky scales on the scalp.

It is very common and harmless.

A gentle shampoo and cradle cap brush can help loosen the scales.

Stork Bites

These are flat pink birthmarks commonly found:

• Between the eyes

• On the eyelids

• On the forehead

• On the back of the neck

Many fade with time.

Slate Gray Nevi (Formerly Called Mongolian Spots)

These flat blue-gray areas of pigmentation often appear on the lower back or buttocks.

They are harmless birthmarks and can sometimes resemble bruises.

They are more common in babies with darker skin tones.

Hands and Feet That Look Blue

Many newborns have bluish hands and feet, especially when cold.

This is called acrocyanosis and is usually normal during the newborn period.

Blue lips, tongue, or the area around the mouth are different and should be evaluated immediately.

Umbilical Cord Care

The umbilical cord stump usually falls off within the first few weeks.

Some small amounts of dried blood or minor drainage can be normal.

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Redness spreading onto the skin

• Swelling

• A foul smell

• Significant drainage

Newborn Poop and Straining

Baby poop changes a lot during the first week.

After the black meconium stools pass, the stool transitions to a more typical newborn stool.

Breastfed babies often have mustard-yellow, seedy stools.

Many young babies grunt, strain, turn red, and appear to be working hard to poop.

As long as the stool is soft, this is usually normal.

Straining does not necessarily mean constipation.

Newborn Reflexes: Tiny Built-In Survival Skills

Newborn reflexes are automatic movements controlled by the nervous system.

They help babies survive, feed, and interact with the world around them.

Many of these reflexes disappear as the baby's brain matures.

Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

A sudden noise, movement, or sensation may cause your baby to:

• Throw their arms outward

• Open their hands

• Draw their arms back in

This is completely normal.

The Moro reflex gradually fades over the first few months.

Rooting Reflex

Touch your baby's cheek or the corner of their mouth and they may turn toward the touch and open their mouth.

This reflex helps babies find the breast or bottle.

Sucking Reflex

Babies are born with a powerful sucking reflex that helps them feed.

Many babies practice this skill before birth by sucking on their fingers or thumbs in the womb.

Grasp Reflex

Place your finger in your baby's hand and they will often hold on tightly.

Many parents are surprised by how strong this reflex can be.

Tonic Neck Reflex (The Fencing Position)

When your baby turns their head to one side, the arm on that side may extend while the opposite arm bends.

This position resembles a fencer and is completely normal.

Babinski Reflex

When the sole of a baby's foot is stroked, the toes often fan outward.

This reflex is normal in infants.

Stepping Reflex

When held upright with their feet touching a firm surface, some newborns appear to take little "steps."

They are not ready to walk, but they are demonstrating a normal newborn reflex.

A Reassuring Note

Newborns spend the first few months adjusting to life outside the womb.

Many of the things that worry parents most are actually normal parts of newborn development.

If something seems unusual, trust your instincts and contact your healthcare provider.

But remember:

• Noisy breathing is often normal.

• Weird poop is often normal.

• Strange-looking rashes are often normal.

• Swollen breasts are often normal.

• Grunting, stretching, and making funny faces are often normal.

Most of all, remember that newborns are wonderfully strange little humans.

You're both learning together. 💛