Hello again,

It’s been a few days since my last post, I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. In this post I’m going to cover new babies and what you should expect. As always, I hope that you find this post useful and feel free to comment and share your experiences any time possible.

New babies:

Neonates/infants/newborns, take your pick, they all have interesting characteristics. Some of these are present regardless of birth method, others are specific to the way they were delivered.

ALL babies are born and come out with a bluish-purple discoloration, this is NORMAL until they get breathing properly. ALL babies also have vernix caseosa, or a white cream-cheese like substance on their bodies when they are born. Babies born at or before 37 weeks have more, babies at 40 weeks or more generally have less.

All babies also have acrocyanosis or a bluish discoloration of their hands and feet after their trunk turns pink. This discoloration may last for a few hrs. after birth, then normalizes.

For babies born vaginally, it is common to see molding – commonly called “conehead” , especially with first babies. It is caused by the overriding of the non-fixed skeletal bones to fit into the pelvic opening during birth. Usually it goes away within a few days.

Vaginally birthed babies also can have a swollen face and swollen eyes due to the pressure of being pushed through the birth canal, this also subsides in a day or two.

Babies born via planned C – Section usually don’t have molding, not being pushed through the pelvis and usually don’t have swollen faces either.

Some of the other “normal – abnormals” are swollen genitalia on boys and girls, swollen scrotum and swollen labia.

“Erythema toxicum” or normal newborn rash, looks like little red areas about 1cm or less with white centers. There can be quite a few or very little. They are more common on the trunk and back, but anywhere is ok. Baby isn’t allergic to anything, though it looks like a breakout.

Also babies – boys and girls – can have swollen breast tissue, from hormonal involvement, and that goes away in a few days also.

Peeling skin is common with babies that are overdue, just keep them moisturized and it will eventually correct itself.

Lanugo – or fuzzy body hair, is common but usually sheds itself naturally with bathing. This is common on the back, shoulders and sideburn areas on both boys and girls, even occasionally on foreheads.

Milia or skin pores on the face with vernix in them are normal. They look like little whiteheads. They need no medicine or removal as they will absorb on their own without anything being done.

Cross-eyed appearance is present sometimes due to immature ocular muscles. As babies grow, the muscles strengthen, which usually corrects this problem.

In my next entry, I will cover some infant procedures from birth to discharge. I hope this entry has helped you in some way and as always appreciate your comments and feedback.

God bless,

Meredith – RNC