Weird (But Totally Normal) Things About Your Newborn

All those books and courses have prepared you for the big stuff: labour and delivery, the inevitable sleepless nights, and, of course, round-the-clock feedings. But how about the projectile faeces and wandering eyes? Before you rush to the phone to contact the paediatrician, here are all the strange but very common things you'll quickly find about babies.

1. Cradle Cap:

There's no getting around it: cradle cap (when a baby's scalp gets dry and scaly) seems weird, yet it's rather normal. Honestly, no one knows for sure. The good news is that any dryness or flakiness normally goes away within a baby's first few months. In the interim, try applying mineral oil to the patches twice or three times each week. Dr Vibhu kawatra, Pulmonologist Pediatrician & Allergy Specialist, Delhi, recommends making it a habit to scrape the scales off before infant baths using a fine-toothed comb or soft brush.Also there are head wash available that help in preventing as well as curing the cradle cap at home. Cradle cap is not a behavioral issue, it's a physical condition.

When to worry: Fortunately, you don't have to worry too much about this one—it's really just a regular rash. However, if it extends beyond the baby's scalp or seems to be becoming more serious, consult your child's doctor.

2. Explosive Poop:

You haven't been fully entered into motherhood until you've dealt with a few nappy blowouts. In other words, you are hardly the first mother to scrub baby faeces off freshly painted nursery walls. Experts explain the mechanics behind it all: Newborn poop is mostly liquid with some mustard-seed texture mixed in. As a result, it doesn't take much power to propel it across a room. Are you grossed out yet? Just wait till you're dealing with a "up-the-backer"!

When to Worry: Baby faeces should be OK as long as it is coloured (brown, green, or yellow) and contains some seedy particles. However, if you see any evidence of blood, experts recommend calling the paediatrician.

3. Baby Boobage:

Baby boobage is also a physical condition. Remember the wacky hormones that bothered you during your pregnancy? They did a number on the infant, too. Unfortunately, being pregnant for nine months may result in big breasts. Because hormones take time to wear off, your baby's exposure to them may often result in the development of breast tissue. But don't worry; they're usually harmless and will go away on their own.

When to worry: Notice any redness around the baby's breast? If so, test the baby's temperature to determine whether the redness is accompanied by a fever. These symptoms might be an indication of something more severe, so have your baby checked out.

4. Weird Groaning Sounds:

If you anticipate only a little cooing and occasional sobbing from the infant, guess again. Babies make quite the racket. They grunt, moan, snort, and make a variety of other amusing noises. However, according to Dr Vibhu, all of those weird sounds similar to groans are created by the baby's nasal passages being somewhat small in the newborn period, causing the mucus that becomes stuck in there to produce some additional sound effects. So, if you've been hearing a lot of noise recently, you may simply need to spend more time emptying out the baby's nose with a nasal aspirator.

When to worry: Notice whether or not the baby moans with every breath. If so, they may be experiencing difficulty breathing. In this instance, you can contact your paediatrician right away. You should also check in if they have a temperature of 100.4 or above.

5. Ocassional sneezing:

Remember that your infant is new to the world and everything in it, and as a consequence, they are very sensitive to many things you are already immune to. So, if your infant is sneezing a lot but isn't genuinely unwell, they're most likely attempting to expel any little foreign particles that have found their way into their nasal passages. Looking at the light will also be an adjustment, so if you take your infant outside on a bright sunny day and they start sneezing, it might be the sun—not allergies—to blame. Other typical reasons for sneezing include removing excess mucus or amniotic fluid from the respiratory airways.

When to worry: whether your baby's sneezes are followed by wheezing or they have a fever, get them checked out by a paediatrician to determine whether it is allergies or something else that requires treatment. To rule out anything dangerous, check sure your baby's breathing and swallowing are regular, as well as their lungs are clean.

6. Swollen genitals:

If you've just given birth to a baby boy, you may notice that his tiny man’s bits are much bigger than you'd anticipate. Hormonal exposure in your tummy just before delivery might affect your baby. Alternatively, excess fluid may have accumulated in the sac around his testicles. But don't worry, he'll wash it out with his urine in a few days. The same is true for your newborn girl, who may have swollen labia for a few days after birth. In any case, the puffiness should subside in due course. Speaking of which, here's a fun fact: During the first few days of life, your baby may sweat so much fluid that they may lose up to 10% of their original body weight.

When to worry: If the swelling does not subside within a few days after birth, you should seek medical attention, especially if you have a newborn boy. Boys may develop a disease known as hydrocele, which can take up to a year to resolve on its own.

7. Newborn acne:

Acne is not limited to teens; even infants may have it! Baby acne often develops on the face and might come and go. It is thought to be connected to maternal hormones. While it may seem worrying, it is normally innocuous and usually resolves on its own within a few months. Keeping the area clean might assist to prevent breakouts.

When to worry: If the acne seems severe or does not improve over time, visit your paediatrician for guidance.

8. Startle reflex:

Newborns often exhibit the startle reaction, also known as the Moro reflex. It happens when they sense a sharp shock or noise, which causes them to flail their limbs and legs. This reflex is a natural aspect of development and usually vanishes after six months. Observing this may be both interesting and unexpected!

When to worry: If the response lasts longer than anticipated or is especially powerful, speak with your doctor.

9. Blue hands and feet:

It is typical for neonates to have blue hands and feet, particularly in the first few days following delivery. This might be attributed to inadequate circulation. As their bodies regulate themselves, this usually resolves on its own. Monitoring their overall colour and warmth is critical.

When to worry: If the blue discolouration continues or spreads, it might be an indication of a circulation problem, and you should see a paediatrician.

10. Jerky movements:

Newborns often have jerky, uncoordinated movements. This is a natural stage of growth as they acclimatise to life outside the womb. These movements might be unexpected, but they are usually not cause for concern. Their motor abilities will gradually develop and smooth out.

When to worry: If the movements seem to be abnormally unpredictable or are accompanied by other alarming symptoms, contact your doctor.

11. Peeled skin:

Peeling skin is frequent, particularly in infants, and often happens during the first few weeks. This is natural and typically the consequence of removing the protective layer they received while in the womb. Keeping their skin moisturised might help them manage dryness.

When to worry: If the peeling is severe or accompanied by redness or irritation, visit your paediatrician.

12. Crossed eyes:

Many babies seem cross-eyed at times, especially when they are weary or preoccupied with something nearby. This is generally transient and is due to their growing eye muscles. If the crossed eyes continue after six months, a check-up may be required.

When to worry: If your baby's crossed eyes persist beyond six months or seem to impair his or her vision, visit a doctor.

Medically approved by Dr Vibhu kawatra, Pulmonologist Pediatrician & Allergy Specialist, Delhi.

FAQs on Weird (But Totally Normal) Things About Your Newborn:

When to worry about a baby's random jerky movements?During the first several months, babies will go through a number of developmental changes, one of which is perfecting their startle reaction (or Moro reflex). You should only be concerned if the infant does not demonstrate any jerkiness or spastic movements. Their absence might indicate that things are not quite right. So, if your infant isn't displaying any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
When to worry about a baby's crossed eyes?If your baby's crossed or wandering eyes persist beyond 6 months, you should schedule an appointment to see what else is going on. If a baby's eyes are constantly straying in opposite directions, they may have strabismus; if just one eye is going wild, it might be amblyopia, or lazy eye.