As if we didn’t have enough new information to process, about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. But when your baby is born, you will find out about all of these completely normal conditions. Hereby a small list with things so you won’t be caught by surprise, which may or may not happen to your newborn and are totally normal, somewhat common but you most likely haven’t heard about:
- Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) – Affecting around 10% of newborns, cradle cap appears as thick, scaly, or greasy patches on a baby’s scalp. While it might look concerning, this condition is completely harmless and usually clears up on its own within the first few months.
- Newborn Acne – Seen in approximately 20% of newborns, newborn acne manifests as small red or white pimples, primarily on the face. Often caused by lingering maternal hormones, these blemishes typically disappear without treatment within a few weeks to a couple of months.
- Swollen Genitals – Nearly 100% of newborns experience swollen genitals at birth, which is a result of exposure to maternal hormones in the womb. This swelling, whether in boys or girls, is temporary and usually diminishes within the first few days of life.
- Vaginal Bleeding – Occurring in about 5% of newborn girls, light vaginal bleeding is another effect of maternal hormones and can seem alarming but is perfectly normal. This minor bleeding should only last for a few days and doesn’t require any treatment.
- Stork Bite (Nevus Simplex) – Around 30-50% of newborns are born with a stork bite, a common type of birthmark that appears as a pink or red patch, usually on the back of the neck or between the eyes. These marks typically fade as the baby grows, often becoming less noticeable by age 2.
- Crossed Eyes (Strabismus) – Up to 70% of newborns may have eyes that appear crossed or misaligned during their first few months. This is normal as babies are still developing their eye muscles and learning to focus. The condition usually improves naturally as their vision matures.
- Peeling Skin – Almost 100% of newborns experience peeling skin, particularly those born past their due date. This is simply the shedding of the outer skin layer and is a natural part of the newborn’s adjustment to the outside world. No special treatment is needed; it will resolve on its own.
- Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex) – Present in 100% of newborns, the Moro reflex is an involuntary response where the baby suddenly flings their arms out to the sides and then quickly pulls them back in when startled by a loud noise or sudden movement. This reflex is a sign of a healthy nervous system and typically disappears by 4-6 months of age.
- Hiccups – Many newborns experience frequent hiccups, which are caused by the immaturity of their diaphragm muscles. This is completely normal and usually doesn’t bother the baby, often resolving as their digestive system matures.
- Milia (Milk Spots) – Found in about 40-50% of newborns, milia are tiny white bumps that appear on a baby’s nose, chin, or cheeks. These bumps are caused by trapped keratin and will usually disappear on their own within a few weeks, requiring no treatment.
In my opinion, we don’t know about most of these because we haven’t lived in close community with other families. We used to learn about this stuff because we lived closely with mothers and babies. Nowadays Moms and babies are marginalized, we don’t know our neighbors and our relatives live far away. The solution is closeness, we need to be close to moms again. Help them, hear them out, be the support they need. This doesn’t only benefit their wellbeing, but everyone’s. As a society, we need the sense of family and community back. Not outsource this personal care to other people for x amount of time a day. Unconditional support and love are what we all need.
Photo Reddit Traditional_Sea_9103
