WEST CENTRAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL MATERNITY SERVICES

Your Newborn's Characteristics

Head
Your baby's head molded to the shape of your pelvis during birth, so it may have bumps, bruises or swelling. This is normal. You may observe a cone-shaped appearance. By the third to fifth day, your baby's head should be nice and round. The "soft-spot" is the area where your baby's bones are not yet joined together. This space allows the brain room to grow. the bones will join between 18 months and two years of age.

Eyes
Your baby's eyes may be puffy at first. This puffiness will usually go away within a few days. Erythromycin (antibiotic ointment) was put in your baby's eyes at birth and the following morning to prevent an eye infection. Sometimes baby's tear ducts are blocked. This is not uncommon and will usually clear up within a few weeks or months without treatment. This shows up with extra drainage or watering of the eyes. If your baby's eyes become matted with excess drainage, wash with a clean damp cloth. Do not wash both eyes with the same area of the cloth. Use a clean area of cloth for each eye. If the drainage continues, call your doctor. The Erythromycin antibiotic was sent home with you but DO NOT USE UNLESS YOU HAVE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

Mouth
Tremors in your baby's lips or chin, especially when he cries, are very common. Some infants develop "sucking blisters" on the lips that will disappear in several days. You may notice white spots on your baby's gums or roof of the mouth called "Epstein Pearls." These will disappear in 3-4 weeks. White patches that cannot be wiped away with a damp cloth may indicate a yeast infection and your doctor should be called.

Breathing
Your baby may breathe very fast and then very slow ’Äì about 30-50 times/minute. This is normal. Your baby's lungs are small and breathing is shallow. It is normal for babies to be noisy breathers. They sneeze, cough, snort and sigh often.

Skin
You may have pictured your baby's skin as soft and smooth, but there are changes in a baby's skin that are normal. Your baby's skin may appear red and blotchy. His hands and feet may be slightly blue for the first day or two. A white creamy material, called vernix, may cover his skin at birth and will be removed with the first bath. A fine downy hair called lanugo may be seen on some parts of your baby, especially if your baby is premature. All of these are normal.

Tiny white spots, called milia, may be seen on your baby's face, especially the nose and chin. These will disappear naturally and should not be squeezed. Small red patches of rash, called "Newborn Rash," may appear on any part of your baby's body, and may remain for two to three weeks. The rash will disappear naturally. Do not apply lotion or oil.

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Crying
Most babies cry some each day. Some babies even have a regular "fussy period" about the same time every day. Crying is the baby's way of "talking" and also provides exercise for the baby. When babies cry hard, they become red in the face and take deep gasping breaths.

The most frequent causes of crying are sleepiness, hunger, loneliness and discomfort. Do not be afraid of spoiling your new baby by picking the baby up when he or she cries. This helps the baby to feel secure. Soon you will be able to tell a hunger cry from a tired cry, or just a fussy cry.

Bowel Movements
A newborn's nerves and muscles are not completely developed. Babies cannot use only one set of muscles at a time. When they cry, they cry with every muscle. When they have a bowel movement, they put all of themselves into the effort. They wave their arms and legs, get red in the face and grunt, or they may cry. This is normal and usually nothing to worry about. The first stool passed is called meconium and will be black in color. It will change from black to dark green to yellow-green over the first few days.

Babies may have bowel movements often (3-10 times a day) or only once every other day. Stools may be very mushy and soft, or pasty in texture and hard and formed in shape. The color of the stool may be greenish yellow to bright yellow. All of these differences are considered ’Äúnormal." As babies grow older and eat more solid foods, the frequency, color and texture of their bowel movements will change.

Sleeping
When your baby is very young, he or she will probably sleep most of the time between feedings. Gradually, babies begin to stay awake for longer periods during the day and sleep for longer periods at night. Don't be surprised if your baby wakes up for one to three night feedings for the first few weeks or even months.

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