Common Infant Conditions

Every mom dreams of the perfect healthy baby, with a round head, smooth skin, and a tiny, perfect body. But in reality, few babies look like beauty contest winners immediately after birth. Many have common ailments that either resolve on their own or require mild treatment, but may make them look less than Gerber baby beautiful. That can be hard to handle amid the swings in postpartum hormones. Here's what to expect in those first few days.

Herniated Belly Buttons

About 20 percent of all newborns have an "outie" or umbilical hernia. This bulge is caused by the umbilical cord as it enters the abdomen. After the unbiblical cord falls off, the opening usually closes on its own. Occasionally, it does not close all the way. Typically, an umbilical hernia is nothing to worry about, as long as the area does not become hot, read, or swollen. Umbilical hernias usually go away by eighteen months.

Jaundice

50 to 60 percent of term babies have jaundice in the first week or two of life. Jaundice gives babies a yellowish cast to their skin, and for most babies it is temporary and will go away on its own or with mild treatment.

Baby Acne

Tiny white spots, called milia, appear on the faces of many newborns right after birth. Milia typically disappear within a week or two. Later, your baby may develop small, acne looking red bumps on his face. Baby acne may not resolve itself for a few months.

Pointy Head

Babies born by c-section have a clear edge in head shape. Those newborns that have spent the previous hours navigating the birth canal will often have a strangely shaped, pointy head. Also, your newborn will have soft spots in the skull called fontanelles, which allow the head to squeeze through the birth canal. Your baby's head shape will become more round and regular in just a few weeks, and by eighteen months, both fontanelles will likely be closed.

Swollen Breasts & Genitals

On a tiny newborn, the swollen size of your newborn's breasts and genitals may be surprising, both for boys and girls. But don't worry, they are swollen from the dose of hormones they got from you just before birth, and they'll return to normal. Your baby's breasts - boy or girl - may even produce a small amount of milk. For girls, vaginal swelling usually disappears within the first month. Some newborn boys experience swelling as a result of fluid squeezed into the scrotum during birth. This swelling may take the first year to fully disappear.