Newborn Skin!

Newborn skin is strange, but the beautiful kind of strange. In this post, I wanted to touch on some of the more common newborn skin concerns. This list does not include all of the possibilities or all the red flags, so as always, if you have a skin concern you should check in with your baby’s pediatrician. Let’s dive right into some things you might expect to find on your newborn’s skin.

Milia: Super common, benign (normal) little white dots, usually on the nose and cheeks. They are not red or inflamed and look like “little white heads”. They should not be broken open (they can then get infected) and they will resolve on their own. Erythema Toxicum (E Tox): Scary name, normal rash! Also pimple-like, but with this one, there is redness of the underlying skin and they can look inflamed. You’ll usually see these within 2-3 days after birth and they can be on the face, but are usually on the trunk.

Congenital Melaconcytosis or Cerulean spots: These are more common in Asian and African American babies and are typically on the back or over the buttocks. They sometimes look like a bruise and can be worrisome for parents. Always ask your pediatrician about these, but if they are determined to be this type of birthmark, there is nothing to worry about and often times these lighten over time. Newborn acne (neonatal cephalic pustulosis): This is what most people refer to as “baby acne”. Parents will see this erupt on the face and neck around 3 weeks of life. These typically heal completely by themselves and do not leave a scar, but if they are severe, check with your pediatrician for possible treatment. “Stork bites” and “Angel Kisses” aka Nevus simplex: These are the “birthmarks” on baby’s eyelids or the back of baby’s head. They are a light red/pink. There are flat and usually appear more red when baby cries. It is important to discuss these with your doctor as there are other, similar lesions called Port Wine Stains which may need more work up.