Appearance
Newborns may look different than you expect. They go through many changes during birth and in the first few days. The following pages contain information on some common physical characteristics.
Head Molding and Swelling
Soft Spots
Front of head
At birth By age two
Back of head
The newborn skull is made of separate bones that slide over each other. This lets the head The separate skull bones allow the baby’ s fit through
Preview
the birth canal. The head may also brain to grow after birth. You’ ll notice two soft get puffy from the pressure of birth, called spots, also called fontanels, between bones caput. These things can make your baby’ s head( the blue areas above). The smaller spot on look long and oddly shaped. This cone-head the back of baby’ s head closes within the first appearance goes away soon after birth. month or two. The one in the front may not close completely until 19 months. A strong
Some babies get a puffy spot on their head membrane protects these spots while the called a cephalohematoma. Depending on bones grow together. They are safe to touch. the location, it may require examination by a doctor. Most of these spots are not dangerous and usually heal on their own in the first few Swollen Genitals / Breast Buds weeks or months.
Many babies are born with puffy, swollen faces. This is because of hormones and the pressure of birth. Swelling goes down quickly.
Newborns often have swollen genitals due to pregnancy hormones. Girls may have vaginal discharge( including some blood). Babies of either sex may have swollen breast tissue( breast buds), which can feel like a small lump under the nipple. You may see witch’ s milk, a filmy white substance, coming from the nipples. This is called galactorrhea. These things lessen in the first week or two.
Baby’ s head is large in comparison to their body, and heavy for their neck. For the first several months, make sure that your baby’ s head is carefully supported every time they are being picked up and held.
14 Newborn Appearance and Abilities