Lanugo: your baby’s body is covered with fine downy hair. They are caused by obstruction of oil or sebaceous glands. Milia: These are tiny white spots often seen on the nose and chin. This is common in the first few days of life a decreases gradually. In the newborn it is common for the baby’s hands and feet to appear bluish. Despite the names, these spots have nothing to do with Mongolism or Down’s Syndrome. They are caused by a temporary accumulation of pigment under the skin and they fade without treatment during preschool years. Frequently, dark bluish spots may appear on the lower portion of the back or buttocks of babies of Black, Asian, or Mediterranean descent. In Asian babies the skin is a tea rose color. In the Black infant, the skin color appears as a reddish-black color that darkens as the baby gets older. As babies cry, they may become a deeper red. The skin is the Caucasian newborn is a pink or reddish color. If the breasts are markedly swollen, tender or reddened, please call us so that we can evacuate the child for the possibility of mastitis. The swelling will go down as the baby’s body metabolizes the mother’s hormones. If your baby does produce milk or have breast swelling, do not attempt to squeeze out the milk, as this might cause infection. Occasionally a baby may produce a small amount of milk. This swelling is caused by hormones a baby gets from the mother during pregnancy. Swollen breasts: During the first days after birth, it is normal for both boys and girls to have swollen breasts. Ears can be cleaned well with the corner of a clean, damp washcloth. Cotton swabs should not be used in your baby’s ears at any time one can inadvertently be tamping wax down into the canal deeply without realizing it. If you think the discharge from your baby’s ears is not wax, please call us. It is not normal for them to produce any other kind of discharge. ![]() In time, the ear will feel firmer.Įar Discharge: It is normal for a baby’s ears to produce wax. At birth your baby’s ears may bend easily. Newborns have a wide variety of ear sizes, shapes, and positions that are normal. If the discharge is purulent (yellow or green), in large amounts and accumulates frequently, please notify us this can be a symptom of an infection or a blocked tear duct in need of antibiotic drop therapy. If you notice a small amount of yellow discharge form your baby’s lids or lashes after you get home, just gently wipe it away with a warm moist cloth or cotton ball. You may notice a small amount of yellow discharge from your baby’s eyes during your hospital stay. Swelling and inflammation usually go away in a few days.Įye discharge: Occasionally, a baby may have irritation from the antibiotic ointment given at birth. Swollen and puffy eyelids or red hemorrhages on the white conjunctivae are normal after birth and result from pressure during birth. Tears are usually not produced in noticeable amounts with crying until your baby is one to two moths of age. However, an infant’s true eye color may not be known for several months. Infants of other ethnic backgrounds may have grayish-brown or brown eyes. EyesĬolor, tears, and swelling: Caucasian infants usually have grayish-blue eyes at birth. Both the fontanelles are covered by a tough membrane and with normal handling care, you can’t damage the soft spots when shampooing, brushing, or stroking your baby’s head. ![]() One is on the top of the head and the other is near the back of the head. Soft Spots: Your baby has two obvious soft spots or fontanelles. Babies delivered by Cesarean usually don’t have as much of this head molding. Normal head shape usually returns by the end of the first week. Shape: Because of pressure before or during birth, your baby’s head may be temporality misshapen. If the baby is approaching a ten percent weight loss we will advise you as to frequency and type of feedings to ensure proper regain of weight. Infants may lose up to five to ten percent of their birth weight during the first week of life, due mainly to loss of extra fluid accumulated by the mother and baby as the pregnancy nears term. The average baby weighs between six and nine pounds, and is between 18 to 21 inches long. Physical Characteristics Weight and Length This section will describe some of the physical and behavioral traits you may notice in your baby during the first few weeks of life. While each baby is a unique individual there are certain characteristics and behaviors that are common to newborns.
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