Your Newborn Baby

About this topic

Your newborn baby has a lot of adjustments to make when they are born. Your baby leaves behind the womb, which is a dark, fluid-filled, cramped, warm space. Your baby comes into a world that is bright, loud, and cold. At first look, you may think your baby is perfect. You may also notice some things that you did not expect. ‚

General

Babies born near the due date, or at term, have many things in common. Some babies are born early or prematurely. They may look and act different than a term baby. ‚
Overall Appearance and Behavior ‚

Your baby may lie in the same position as when inside the womb. Your baby may keep the feet and legs curled up, arms bent, and hands closed in fists.
The first week, newborns spend most of the time sleeping. Your baby will be awake only about 4 hours of each 24-hour period and not all at one time.
Your baby will want to feed often, most often every 1 to 3 hours the first few weeks. Newborns cry when they are hungry, but this is often a late sign. Earlier signs of hunger include smacking of lips, bringing the hand to the face, or opening the mouth.

Head and Scalp ‚

Your baby may have bruising and swelling of the face or scalp. This will go away within a few weeks.
The skull is soft and made of bones that can shift so the head fits through the birth canal. Your babys head may look long, pointed, or stretched out. If so, it will become more round in the first few days to weeks of life.
There are two soft spots on a newborn's head, one on top and one on the back. It is OK if you feel these. They can become more firm or bulge out when your baby cries or is upset. You may also see the soft spot on top of the head pulsating. This is normal.

Eyes and Ears ‚

Right after birth, your baby may look around, with eyes wide open. More often though, your baby will be sleepy and keep the eyes closed.
Some babies are born with bruises or red areas on the whites of the eyes. These will go away within a few weeks.
The nurse will apply antibiotic eye ointment, most often within an hour of being born. This is to help prevent eye infections.
The ears are often soft and flat. Sometimes, your baby's ear may fold over. The ears become more firm and take their final shape over the first few years of life.

Skin and Temperature ‚

A white, cheesy looking matter may cover your baby's skin. Sometimes, this is only in the skin creases. Other times, your baby will have very dry looking skin with cracks, lines, and flaking. Over the next week or so, your baby's skin will look more normal.
Some newborns have small amounts of dead skin cells trapped under the surface. These form small, white bumps called milia. These will often go away on their own in a few weeks.
Some babies are born with a birthmark. Others are not. Babies with darker skin tones may have a dark blue or blue-green coloring on their lower back. This is a Mongolian spot. Light-skinned babies may have pink or red areas on the back of the neck, nose, or eyelids. These are stork bite or angel's kiss. Both of these birthmarks often fade away in the first 2 years. Other birthmarks may not go away.
Babies lose heat easily. Providing a hat and wrapping your baby in an extra blanket will help. Mittens and socks alone are not enough.
Your baby may have a bluish color of the hands and feet or around the lips. The skin may have a lacy pattern of pink and pale areas. Both of these are signs your baby is cold.

Chest, Back, and Bottom ‚

Both newborn boys and girls may have breast tissue. Also, your baby's genitalia may look bigger than you expect or look swollen. These features are because of the hormones your baby got while inside mother's womb.
The doctor will tie or clamp the umbilical cord and cut it right after your baby is born. The cord will dry up and fall off in 2 to 3 weeks.
Your baby's belly may look round and full. Sometimes, the area right around the cord bulges out more than the rest of the belly. Talk with your doctor if you notice this.

Diapers ‚

Most often, your baby will have a wet diaper within the first day of life. Your baby will have more wet diapers as long as your baby is feeding.
The first stools your baby passes are thick, black, or dark green, and very sticky. This is meconium. Some babies pass meconium while still inside the womb. This can cause breathing problems if a baby inhales this during birth. The stools will change over the first few days of life to a different color and texture.

When do I need to call the doctor?

Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, change in the sound of your babys cry, crying too much, muscles become stiff, bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head, or not able to wake your baby up.
Breathing is fast or your baby is working hard to breathe
Mouth or face turns blue or darker in color
Baby's temperature has dropped below 96 ‚ °F (35.5 ‚ °C)
Less than 3 wet diapers in 24 hours
Belly button is red and has drainage
Circumcision site redness spreads down penis or has not resolved in 3 to 5 days
Skin is turning more yellow
Your baby is throwing up often or not keeping any food down
Baby's throw up or stools are bloody

Where can I learn more?

KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/childbirth/newborn_variations.html# ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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