Common newborn characteristics
November 2, 2021
You may be curious about your baby’s appearance directly after birth. Below are some common elements of what you might expect your newborn baby to have.
Many of these will diminish as your baby grows but if you have any specific concerns about these characteristics in your baby, do not hesitate to reach out to us for advice!
- Your baby will have a waxy, white coating to protect their skin.
- A cone-shaped head formed during birth
- Soft spots on your baby’s head where the bones will eventually join, called ‘fontanelles’
- White little bumps on their face called ‘milla’
- Skin rash, red blotches or patches of deep-pink skin on the face and neck
- A bluegreen or grey birthmark that’s usually found on the lower back or buttocks (commonly called a ‘Mongolian spot’)
- A paler skin tone
- Swelling in the genital area
- Peeling or cracking skin around the wrists or ankles
- Downy fuzz on their backs, arms and ears
- Swelling around the eyes and/or a red area in the white part of the eye
- The hands and feet may look a little blue for the first few days, called ‘Acrocyanosis’ however if you notice other parts of the baby turning blue, contact your doctor ASAP
For further information you can chat with the POGS midwives or our doctors at your next appointment. To make one, please call us on (08) 6270 0123 or email: reception@pogs.com.au
What is the difference between the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) & the genetic pre-natal carrier screening test?
Find out more about cytomegalovirus (CMV) by downloading our FACT SHEET. Call POGS on (08) 6270 0123 or email: reception@pogs.com.au if you need to make an appointment.
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue (similar to the lining of your uterus) grows outside of your uterine cavity. This is a common gynaecological condition which affects up to 10% of women. Hormonal changes (throughout your menstrual cycle) affect the misplaced tissue, causing the area to become inflamed & painful.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is a common conditions, with approximately 50% of women experiencing nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Often called “morning sickness”, this can actually occur at any time of the day.
For some women, symptoms of pregnancy appear in the first few weeks after conception. Most aren’t unique to pregnancy & can appear similar to pre-menstrual discomforts. As a guide, however, read more about the symptoms you might experience.
The first six weeks postpartum is considered a “recovery” period due to the high level of strain your body has been put through – no matter how you gave birth! Looking after a new baby is hard for all parents, but it can be harder when you are recovering from a caesarean section.
Once you have given birth, your breasts are given a signal to start to produce milk. Blood flows to your breasts, and your milk usually comes in 1 to 4 days after birth. Breast engorgement is when your breasts get full and sore, which is common in the early days and weeks of breastfeeding.
Check out a few tips to stay safe at the beginning stages of your pregnancy. Read more about the post.
Pregnancy hormones are the culprit behind constipation, which is a common pregnancy problem. This is due to increasing progesterone levels which cause the muscles in your bowels to relax – meaning food hangs around longer in the digestive tract.
You may already know that the most important tip to keep your baby safe while sleeping is to keep them on their back – a recommendation that has contributed to an 85% reduction in SIDS deaths since the ’90s. Check out a few tips to ensure you always create a safe sleeping environment for your baby- day & night.
