Once you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, you feel overwhelmed. The little, pink baby in your arms will grow with your love and care and you will see it all happen with your own eyes. It is natural for new parents to be worried about the changes occurring in the newborn’s body in the first few days. Some changes are normal, while others require a doctor’s attention. Guide to Child Care.
Variations in Your Newborn’s Skin: What’s Normal, What’s Not?
Blue Skin
The doctor will first look at the baby’s skin. His hands and feet will appear blue. This blue color should not be a cause for concern as it disappears without any treatment within a few hours. If the doctor finds that the rest of the body is pink and his breathing is normal, he will reassure you that the baby is normal. Some babies have darker skin tones which may become darker in successive weeks. A darker pigmentation may appear in the nipples and genitals.
Greyish-blue spot or Mongolian spot
Some children have Mongolian spots. These are grey-blue patches on the lower back. Sometimes, they also appear on the limbs or inside the cheeks. While they may last for 2 to 3 years, they tend to disappear spontaneously without affecting the child.
Pigmented patches or café au lait spots
Some may have permanent patches of pigmentation, called café au lait spots. In about a quarter of such children, a single spot, less than 3 cm (about an inch) in size, is seen. Such spots will attract your doctor’s attention, as they may indicate some other conditions.
harlequin color change
Another interesting condition is a harlequin color change. For a few minutes, half of the baby’s body appears pink and the other half appears white. This condition is normal and can last for one or one and a half months.
yellow spots or milia
White or yellow pinhead-sized spots called milia may be seen on your nose or other parts of your baby’s face. They will disappear within a few days.
Transient rash or stork bites
At times, you may notice transient red rashes on the child’s body. Stork bites are seen as red spots on the forehead, eyelids and back of the neck. They may last for a year or so.
Growing red spots or strawberry nevus
A few days or weeks after birth, you may notice what are commonly called strawberry nevus. It starts as a small red spot that grows rapidly over about 6 months. When fully grown, it resembles a strawberry. As far as possible, it should be left as is. About 60% of these disappear by the age of 5 years and up to 10 years. In very rare cases, doctors may consider removing them or treating them with certain medications.
Lacy, blush patterned skin or cutis marmorata
Some infants develop a harmless condition called cuti marmorata. This happens when the environmental temperature drops suddenly. Temporary redness, red or blue patterns appear on the skin. The child is otherwise normal. Exposure to cold can also cause the hand to swell and turn blue over time. This swelling goes away on its own within a few hours.
Peeling Skin
Baby’s skin may peel normally in the first few days after birth. The skin is very delicate at this stage, avoid unnecessary friction or pressure to prevent blisters and infection.
Vernix is the waxy material that covers a baby’s skin at birth. It protects the skin from getting infected. No deliberate attempt should be made to remove it. Some of this is left behind in the linen in which the baby is wrapped after birth, the rest will be gradually shed after bathing.
Hair fall
Fine, silky hairs cover the baby’s skin. This is especially evident in the skin of a premature baby. In the first few weeks, babies normally lose hair on the back of the head, but this loss is temporary.
Jaundice
50% of newborns develop yellowness of the eye skin on the second or third day. This jaundice, referred to as physiological jaundice, is usually harmless and does not require treatment. Sometimes, however, phototherapy (light therapy) or other treatments may be needed.
Newborn baby cradle cap
The cradle cap, which presents itself as dark patches on the scalp, often clears up with 1% cetrimide solution. It should be used as a shampoo, after which the scalp is to be dried gently with a towel. Soap and oil should be avoided for a few days. At times, stronger measures may be required.
Most newborn skin changes are harmless and will subside on their own. Instead of panicking or self-medicating with a newborn baby, one should consult a doctor if in doubt.