Newborn Appearance

Discuss with your health care provider (while still pregnant) some of the things that you should expect about the appearance of your new baby. This list may help set your mind at ease, especially after the birth of your first child.

You can expect:

The umbilical cord stump to remain for the first 10-14 days, but it may not fall off until the third week.

Baby's skin to appear dry and peeling.

Some fine hair may cover certain parts of baby's body, such as the shoulders, back, temples or ears. This hair protects your baby in the uterus and is usually shed within the baby's first week of life.

Your baby's breasts to be swollen for 2 to 4 weeks. This happens in boys and girls and is caused from estrogen in the mother's placenta.

Your baby's head to be swollen, either on top or as a smaller lump in different places on the skull. This is caused either from fluid forced into the scalp at birth or from rubbing up against the mother's pelvic bones. Swelling at the top of the head should go down within a few days, while swelling from friction will go down within 2 to 3 months. Call your doctor if swelling increases or lasts longer than normal.

Your baby's legs to be bowed or feet turned up. This is caused by being held tightly in the womb. Within 6 to 12 months, your baby's legs will straighten out.

Swollen genitals in both boys and girls. Boys may have a swollen scrotum, lasting 6 to 12 months, or the hymen may be swollen in girls, disappearing within 2-4 weeks.

A small percentage of boys may have an undescended testicle. They will more than likely need surgery later on to correct this.

If your son was circumcised (the foreskin on the penis was removed), the glans of his penis will appear shiny, red and may ooze some yellowish fluid. The glans should heal within 7-10 days.

Baby girls may sometimes have a vaginal discharge that is clear, white or pink lasting for 3 to 10 days. This is normal and is caused by the estrogen passed to the baby from your womb.

Eye appearance
Sometimes a blood vessel in the white of the eye will break during birth. This is not uncommon and should heal within 2 to 3 weeks.

A baby's tear duct can become blocked, making the eye continuously water. This will usually clear up within the first year of life, but be sure to ask your child's doctor at the next visit, or call the doctor immediately if the eye looks infected or has pus or a yellow drainage.

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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic (216) 444-3771 or toll-free (800) 223-2273 extension 43771 or visit www.clevelandclinic.org/health This document was last reviewed on: 9/9/2002

The Cleveland Clinic 2004
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