Obstetrics/Maternity: 

Appearance and Behavior

Newborns typically weight five to ten pounds at birth and are 18 to 22 inches in length. Their head may be elongated from the passage through the birth canal. This is called molding and it disappears within a few days.

The fontanels or soft spots of the baby’s scalp are areas of the skull where the bones have not yet come together. A newborn’s eyes may be slightly red and puffy from delivery and the eye color is usually a blue-gray color at birth. Permanent eye color develops within six to twelve months.

Newborns may also have white, pinpoint spots on their nose, chin and cheek area called milia. Milia are blocked glands that will spontaneously disappear in the first two to three weeks. Baby’s skin may also be dry and peeling and bluish colored hands and feet are normal the first few days since the circulatory system is still immature.

Rashes come and go as the newborn’s sensitive skin adjusts to the environment. Pustular type rashes should be shown to the baby’s pediatrician. The breasts and genitalia of newborns may be swollen in both males and females due to the presence of the mother’s hormones. Sometimes, females have a blood-tinged discharge from the vagina during the first week.

During the newborn period, baby will probably keep their arms flexed and hands curled into fists.

All newborns have their own temperaments and personalities. New mothers should relax and get to know their babies.

Touch is probably the most completely developed sense at birth. Babies enjoy being held, cuddled and massaged. They can focus for short periods of time and like looking at faces and objects with contrasts and patterns.

Parents should hold baby about eight inches from their face and talk to him or her. Babies respond to voices and enjoy hearing music. Sudden, loud noises may startle babies and cause them to cry. New parents will quickly learn what their baby’s different cries mean since crying the best way for babies to express what they need--food, a diaper change, a nap or cuddling. Responding to crying will help make baby satisfied and happy, and help develop a sense of trust and security.