About Your Newborn

The baby’s first bowel movements are made of a sticky, greenish-black material called meconium, which was in your baby’s intestines during pregnancy. If you breastfeed, the colostrum in your breast milk acts as a laxative and helps your baby move their bowels. Meconium stools are present for a few days following birth.

Later, it’s normal for babies to have yellow-green or slightly brown-yellow stools. The number of stools per day and their texture varies from baby to baby. It also depends on whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding. A breastfed baby will usually have loose, seedy stools. A bottle-fed baby will have stools with a more pasty appearance. It may be normal for your baby to have one stool in 24 hours or up to one stool every 2 to 3 hours in a 24-hour period.

Your baby may be constipated if the stool is hard and dry. If a baby has diarrhea, the stool is usually mucousy, thin and watery, and may have a foul smell. As your newborn grows, the bowel movements may change in amount and frequency.  

Whether your baby is a boy or a girl, their breasts may be temporarily swollen due to hormones passed to the baby while in the uterus. A very small amount of thin milk may be seen at the nipples. Don't squeeze the breasts to remove this milk. It will disappear once the hormones leave your baby’s body. 

Cradle cap is a common condition that looks like a yellowish or whitish, scaly, patchy area over part of the baby’s scalp or sometimes behind the ears. Daily washing and/or brushing may help prevent cradle cap. If your baby has cradle cap, use a baby comb, fingernail brush or soft toothbrush to gently scrub the affected area with mineral oil or baby oil. Wash all the oil off the scalp with shampoo or a mild soap when you are done. Do this each day until the cradle cap is gone. 

Dehydration happens when there is too little fluid in the body. In the first weeks of life, babies can suffer from dehydration due to prematurity or breastfeeding problems caused by breast reduction or enlargement or other breast surgeries that may interfere with breastfeeding. 

Signs that your baby is dehydrated:

• Lack of wet or dirty diapers
• Becomes more difficult to wake for feedings
• Poor sucking and/or trouble latching on to your breast
• Feeds less frequently (less than 8 times in 24 hours)
• Seems hungry after most feedings
• Dry tongue and mouth
• Greater than 10% weight loss

If your baby is dehydrated:

• Breastfeed more often. Wake your baby for feedings at least 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period.
• If needed, increase your milk supply by pumping your breasts with a high quality, double electric breast pump.
• Call your baby's healthcare provider.
• Talk to a lactation (breastfeeding) specialist.

In some cases, you may need to supplement (add to) breastfeeding with bottle feeding. If so, your expressed breast milk is a better choice than formula. Supplementation is usually short term. To protect your milk supply, it is important to nurse and/or pump your breasts 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.

During the first few days of life, your baby’s eyes may look puffy from the birth process and the eye medication used to help prevent infection. It is common for a newborn’s eyes to have poor control and appear cross-eyed. This should lessen as the eye muscles get stronger. Newborns’ eyes usually look blue-gray or brown. In general, your baby’s permanent eye color will be visible within six to 12 months. 

Call your baby’s healthcare provider if your baby has constant yellow or green drainage from one or both eyes.

You may wish to try one of the following methods to trim your baby’s nails to prevent accidental scratching:

• File the nails with an emery board.
• Trim the nails with round-edged or stainless steel baby scissors or baby clippers. Cut straight across the nail, not in the corners.

Both of these methods may be easier to do when your baby is sleeping or busy feeding.

At birth, there are two soft spots (fontanels) on the top of the baby’s head. The larger is diamond shaped and toward the front. The smaller is located at the back of the head. These soft spots are areas where the bones of the skull have not yet grown together. The smaller one closes within two to six months after birth. The larger one usually closes by 18 months. The fontanels have a tough membranous covering, so the scalp can be gently brushed and shampooed without harming your baby.

Female

A white coating called vernix may be present between the labial folds of a female baby. This coating is normal and does not need to be washed off. A clear, mucus-like discharge (sometimes blood-streaked) may be present and is a normal result of the mother’s hormones. During bathing and diaper changes, gently clean the vaginal area by spreading the labia and wiping from front to back.

Male

Most newborn boys' scrotums are swollen at birth, and will shrink to a normal size in about a week.

Care of the Penis

In general, do not use pre-moistened towelettes, alcohol, powder or lotions when cleaning a circumcised or uncircumcised penis. These items may cause or add to irritation. 

Uncircumcised Penis Care

The uncircumcised penis of a newborn doesn't require special care.

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "It isn't necessary to retract any part of the foreskin in order to wash under it." Cleaning the outside is enough. Wash the penis with warm, soapy water just as you would any other part of his body.
• Do not retract (pull back) the foreskin. The foreskin and glans (area covered by the foreskin) will separate normally over time with growth and development. For some boys, the foreskin will retract while they are infants. For others, it may take as long as five years. Trying to pull back foreskin that isn't yet ready to separate can create tears and scarring. It's best to let your baby’s healthcare provider assess if the foreskin is ready to be retracted.

Circumcised Penis Care

Newborn circumcision (removal of the skin, that covers the head of the penis) is performed for religious, social and cultural reasons. The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) states that there is no medical reason for this procedure. Discuss circumcision techniques and pain management options with your baby's healthcare provider. If you choose to have your baby circumcised, you may wish to hold and comfort him immediately after the procedure.

After circumcision:

• After circumcision, an infant may be fussy and not interested in eating for a few hours. Cuddling him may help at this time.
• The end of the penis will appear red after the procedure and often a yellowish "crust" appears around the head of the penis. This appearance is normal and isn't a sign of infection.
• Call your baby's healthcare provider if you notice bright red bleeding; unusual redness or swelling; white, yellowish (pus-like) or greenish drainage with a bad smell; or if your baby does not urinate within 24 hours.

Once the circumcised penis heals, normal washing is enough.

The two most common methods for circumcision are the clamp and the Plastibell ring.

Clamp Circumcision

• A gauze/petroleum jelly dressing is placed on the penis after the circumcision. This dressing is removed during the first diaper change or as directed by your baby’s healthcare provider.
• After removing the petroleum jelly dressing, new petroleum jelly is applied to the circumcision at every diaper change for the next 24 hours. For cleanliness, it's recommended that a separate jar or tube of petroleum jelly be used for the baby’s circumcision.
• During diaper changes, gently wash around the penis with a clean, warm wet cloth to remove stool or urine and pat dry. Avoid rubbing. It's normal for the first few diaper changes to show some spotting of blood.
• Secure the baby’s diaper loosely for several days to prevent uncomfortable pressure on the circumcision.

Plastibell Circumcision

• The plastic rim is left on the baby’s penis after the circumcision. The plastic rim usually drops off 5 to 8 days later. Call your baby’s healthcare provider if the rim has not dropped off 8 days after the circumcision or if the rim has slipped down the shaft of the penis.
• No special dressing is necessary. Do not use petroleum jelly.
• Check the circumcision for swelling.
• A dark brown or black ring encircling the plastic rim is normal. It will disappear after the rim drops off.
• You may bathe and diaper the baby normally, but do not rub or scrub the circumcised area.
• Notify your baby’s healthcare provider if your baby does not urinate regularly (at least six wet diapers per 24 hour period) or you have questions about the swelling.

Once the circumcised penis heals, normal washing is enough.

A newborn’s head is large in comparison to the rest of his body. At first, your baby’s head may not be round because passage through the narrow birth canal causes the bones of the skull to squeeze together and mold the head. The head usually returns to its normal shape within a few weeks.

Lanugo is fine, downy hair that is most noticeable over a newborn’s back, shoulders, forehead, ears and face. It is more obvious in premature babies and will disappear during the first few weeks of life.

Milia are pinhead-size white spots on your baby’s nose, cheeks or chin caused by blocked sweat and oil glands. They'll disappear without treatment in several weeks when the glands begin functioning. Wash your baby’s face with water and a washcloth while they are present. Don't try to remove or squeeze them.

The stump of the umbilical cord, which remains temporarily attached to the navel, should be kept clean, dry and free from diaper irritation.

• Follow cord care instructions given by your baby's healthcare provider
• If the cord becomes soiled, wash it with soap and water and dry thoroughly
• When diapering your baby, fold the front edge of the diaper below the healing navel, so it doesn't irritate the area or add moisture

The stump will usually fall off between seven and 14 days after birth, but may stay attached up to a month. There is often a pinkish discharge after the stump falls off. This is normal and doesn't need treatment.

Report any excessive bleeding, unusual discharge, redness, swelling, irritation or bad odor around the navel to your baby's healthcare provider.

Baby Acne

A red pimply rash known as “baby acne” may break out on your baby’s face during the third or fourth week of life. This rash seems to bother parents more than the baby. No treatment is usually necessary other than gentle washing with a mild soap and water. It is caused by the stimulation of the baby’s oil glands due to the increased hormones passed from the mother to baby at birth.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash consists of red patches with tiny pimple-like bumps that appear in areas covered by the diaper. It can be caused by urine, stool, some laundry products, too much ammonia in cloth diapers not washed well, chemicals used in some disposable diapers, or often unknown causes. Exposing the skin to air improves healing. Protective ointments are available in drug stores. Call your baby’s healthcare provider if a rash won’t go away. 

Heat Rash

This is common during warm weather and with babies who are kept overdressed or over wrapped. It appears most often in the shoulder and neck regions and looks like clusters of tiny pink blemishes. (When it begins to dry, it looks slightly tan.) The rash looks worse than it probably feels to the baby. The best treatment is to keep your baby cool and dry, and dress your baby as you dress yourself.

Most of your baby’s behaviors in the early days and weeks are involuntary reflexes, such as yawning, quivering, coughing, sneezing, stretching and hiccupping. Some of these reactions help insure your baby’s survival, while others help relieve irritation.

Grasp Reflex

If you touch the palm of your baby’s hand, they will grasp firmly. This reflex disappears soon after birth. The feet exhibit the same reaction as the hands, but in the feet the reflex continues for a longer period.

Hiccuping

Hiccupping is common in newborns and is not a cause for concern. Hiccups will stop on their own and do not require any special attention on your part.

Moro or Startle Reflex

When a newborn is startled, they will initially stretch out the arms and legs and straighten the body, then curl up. This response will be less noticeable by four months of age and usually disappears by the sixth month. 

Rooting Reflex

Lightly stroking your baby’s cheek or lower lip will cause your baby to turn his/her head in that direction and open their mouth. Stroking the lower lip will be helpful with latch-on while breastfeeding. To avoid confusing your baby, don’t stroke your baby’s cheek once they is latched-on.

Standing & Walking Reflex

If a newborn is supported upright on their feet, the baby will stand and imitate a walking motion. These reflexes usually disappear by the second month. 

Newborns have a strong sucking instinct. Sucking not only ensures nourishment — it’s also a self-calming method (non-nutritive sucking). 

From the moment they’re born, babies can see, hear, smell, taste and touch — helping them connect with and respond to their new world. 

Hearing

A baby’s hearing is well developed, even in the uterus, as is shown by the startle or Moro reflex in response to loud noises (see above). Babies are able to make out both of their parents’ voices right after birth. However, babies pay more attention to high-pitched voices, as they hear best in the higher ranges. If you have questions about your newborn’s ability to hear, please contact your baby’s healthcare provider.

Sight

Your baby may be fascinated by dramatic contrasts, such as black and white shapes, but will be most responsive to your face. A baby’s ability to focus at birth is about the same distance as from a baby at the breast to a mother’s face (8 to 12 inches). An application of eye ointment (as required by law) is given after birth to prevent possible eye infections. This may blur your baby’s sight for a brief period of time.

Taste and Smell

There is evidence that a newborn has the ability to respond to sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes, as well as to a variety of smells. Newborn babies have been observed to tell apart their mother’s clothing from others solely by sense of smell.

Touch

Touch is your baby’s first sensation. Most of your early contacts will involve touch as you cuddle, rock and caress your new baby. Feeding, whether by breast or bottle, is an ideal time for you to give your baby this very important, close physical contact.

Skin

• Birthmarks
  There are many types of birthmarks that may be found on various parts of your baby’s body. If your baby has any unusual marks, discuss them with your baby’s healthcare provider before going home. Many birthmarks will fade over time.
• Mongolian spots
  Mongolian spots are greenish-blue pigmentation seen on the lower back area, primarily in dark-skinned babies. They aren't painful or cause for concern and usually fade over time.
• Mottled skin or blue hands and feet
  A newborn’s skin can remain slightly see-through for several weeks and have purplish blotches, especially fair-skinned babies. It is also common for newborns to have bluish hands and feet since their circulatory system isn't fully developed yet.
• Peeling skin
  During the first few weeks, your baby may have peeling or cracking of the skin, especially on the wrists, hands, ankles and feet. Overdue babies seem to peel more than babies born closer to their due date. This is normal and no treatment is necessary.
• "Stork bites"
  Occasionally, blood vessels close to the skin are visible on the back of the baby’s neck, eyelids, nose or forehead. These are called “stork bites.” They usually fade or disappear in several months.

Vernix is the white creamy substance that protected your baby’s skin before birth. It can remain in the creases of the skin for several weeks, even after bathing. There's no need to remove it as it continues to provide protection for your baby’s skin until it is completely absorbed.

Many babies lose approximately 7 to 10% of their birth weight during their first days of life. Babies are born with fat reserves and usually regain that weight by two weeks of age. Frequent around-the-clock feedings will help prevent a major drop in weight. Initially, breastfed babies need to be fed at least 8 to 12 times and bottle-fed babies 6 to 10 times in a 24-hour period.

If you’re worried about your baby's weight, contact your baby's healthcare provider.