Magazines and movies often portray newborns with perfectly smooth skin, round cheeks and features that almost seem angelic. Newborns are certainly innocent and beautiful, but the reality could look quite different-especially when you see a baby just moments after birth.
So, what does a newborn really look like in those first few hours or days? Lets take a closer look on what to expect.
Skin Colour and texture:
Many babies are born with a bluish tint to their hands and feet called acrocyanosis. This is normal, lasting for 15-30 mins, and appears because the baby’s circulatory system is still adjusting to life outside.
Some develop a temporary yellowish colour to their skin and sclera on the 2nd or 3rd day after birth, known as jaundice. It occurs because there is breakdown of red blood cells and the liver is not fully developed. If extreme, it needs medical intervention.
Birthmarks are extremely common and typically harmless. Up to 80% of newborns have some form of birthmark. Common types include salmon patches or stork bites (flat, pink or red patches), Mongolian spots (flat, blue-grey patches that resemble bruises), strawberry hemangiomas (raised, red marks that appear when blood vessels grow abnormally), and port wine stains (flat, pink to dark red birthmarks caused by expanded blood vessels on the face).Most birthmarks fade over time, though some are permanent.
During pregnancy, the baby is protected by a waxy substance called vernix caseosa, which acts like a protective layer. This vernix wears off postpartum, and the skin adjusts to air, as a result of which peeling in the hands, feet and ankles may be seen. Another common normal finding is milia, which appear as tiny white bumps on the face. They are a result of entrapment of dead skin cells. Some newborns’ skin is covered by fine hair on the back and shoulders known as lanugo. It wears off within several weeks.
Many develop a rash (erythema toxicum neonatorum), which is seen as red blotches with small white bumps in the centre, seen anywhere in the body except the palms and soles. The rash typically appears between the first and third day of life and may come and go after several weeks.
Head shape:
Right after birth, the baby’s head may appear slightly elongated or cone-shaped. This is particularly noted after vaginal delivery of longer duration, as the skull bones overlap (a process known as Moulding) to allow the passage of the baby through the birth canal. This usually settles over the first few days.
Some newborns develop a soft, puffy swelling of the scalp over the skull suture lines. This occurs because fluid accumulates from pressure during delivery and is called caput succedaneum. When blood accumulates between the skull bone and its covering membrane due to microtrauma, it is referred to as a cephalohematoma. This swelling appears bluish in colour and may look concerning, but eventually heals on its own.
Take home message!!
So, if your newborn looks a little different from the perfectly polished babies in advertisements, don’t be surprised. Babies come into the world looking like babies—not magazine covers!
Give them a little time, plenty of cuddles, and a whole lot of love. Before you know it, the swelling will settle, the skin will change, the head will round out, and those tiny features will become the face you can never get enough of.
Do you have experience looking at differences between newborns or have experience with your own baby as a mother ? share your thoughts
MBH/PS