Well Baby Well Mother Article #1
November 2, 2000
Newborn Characteristics: Where Do We Begin?
Our intention is writing this article is to cover, briefly, characteristics and behaviors of newborns. there are many interesting facts included in this article and we hope you find it interesting and enlightening.
Eyes
- Usually a steely blue color
- Dark skinned babies will have brown or "muddy" eyes
- Usually change to true color by 6 months
- Blood spot or white area on 1 or both eyes will fade within first few days (this is often caused by pressure during birthing)
- General puffiness is normal and will recede within the first few days
Skin
- Will appear very delicate and thin
- May have vernix (thick white creamy substance) or lanugo (fine hair) over shoulders and back
- May have spots, mottling or small scratches (keep baby's hands covered to prevent scratching)
- Milia, tiny white bumps or yellow spots across the nose and chin are common and will fade with time
- Erythema Toxicum (baby acne) may be apparent
Head
- Scalp swelling, due to pressure in the birth canal during delivery, is not serious and should fade in a few days
- Soft spots are located on the top center and back of head. These areas where the bones are still growing together are known as fontanels. As the baby grows, the areas will grow closer together. In the meantime, the baby's head is well protected by thick skin.
Breasts
- Common in both males and females due to excess estrogen from the mother. They will usually dissappear within a week.
Abdomen
- May appear prominent
- May have spaces between muscles
- May stick out while crying
Genitals
- Often are red and look large compared to baby's small body
Positioning
- The fetal position, with arms and legs bent and close to body and hands tightly clenched, is a common favorite position of newborns.
Sensory Perception
Hearing - Usually very sensitive to noise and speech
Taste - Newborns prefer sweet over plain or sour
Smell - A new baby can smell breast milk and the mother right away
Touch - This sense is very well developed and babies prefer warm and soft over cold and hard.
Sight - Can see within 8-12 inches. Crossed eyes are normal and should resolve within 2-3 months. Can distinguish between light and dark.
Crying Behavior
- Crying serves many purposes. Often, it is a call for help. It relieves tension and helps newborns shut out intense sensations (over stimulation of your newborn will often cause crying).