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Baby's Head
Baby’s Head
- Soft spots: There are two “soft spots” found one towards the front and one toward the back of the skull
- May be cone shaped
- May have swelling/discoloration from moving through birth canal
- Hair loss is common
Baby’s Eyes
- Color may change by six months of age
- Eyelids may be swollen or often watery
- Some blood on white part is normal and will usually resolve on its own
- Many babies have some discharge from their eyes. Simply wipe with a clean warm cloth.
- It will happen again, especially when the baby wakes from sleeping.
Baby’s Skin
- Newborns are very prone to rashes, most of which are harmless
- Ask the team at the hospital during the newborn period if you notice something on your baby’s skin
- Most infants will develop some “baby acne” between 3- 6 weeks, which will resolve on its own
- Diaper rashes are very common. Keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Make an appointment with your baby’s provider if you are concerned.
Baby’s Ears
- May be soft and floppy
- Will change over time
Baby’s Mouth
- Small blister may appear from feeding; this will disappear when child begins drinking from a cup
- May have white bumps along gum line
- Uncommon to be born with teeth
Hiccups
- Almost all babies will have hiccups for a month or so after birth, most commonly after eating. This is normal.
Sneezing and Stuffy Nose
- Newborns also sneeze a lot to clear out the nose
- This is also normal and doesn’t mean the baby is sick
- Stuffy nose is very common and can be left alone if the baby is comfortable and able to eat and sleep
Hormones
- Both baby girls and baby boys are born with some of their mother’s hormones still in their bodies
- As a result, breasts and genitals may appear swollen. If the breast tissue is bright red or hot to touch or painful, call your baby’s provider for appointment
- Vaginal discharge is normal for baby girls
- Baby boys may have a large scrotum (the pouch that holds the testicles) at birth
