Baby's Skin

Rather than being smooth as a baby’s bottom, your newborn’s skin may well be blotchy and slightly spotty. He may develop tiny white spots (commonly called milk spots but actually caused by his sweat glands beginning to work) across the top of his nose or on other parts of his face. These spots are harmless and will disappear by themselves.

His immature circulation may mean that he suddenly develops an alarming-looking blotchy red rash on his face, neck or trunk, but this is likely to go away as quickly as it appeared. Newborns often get heat rashes (tiny red spots) too, which disappear when the baby cools down.

Don’t be tempted to squeeze or pick any spots your baby has. If you’re worried about them, talk to your midwife or doctor.

Your baby was probably born with some vernix (a creamy white substance that protected his skin while he was in the womb) on his skin, particularly in the creases. This gets absorbed into his skin or rubbed off in the first day or two. There’s no need to wash it off.

If your baby was born late, his skin may be a bit wrinkled at first.

You may find that your baby’s skin is dry and peeling, especially on his hands and feet. This usually goes within the first week.

Black babies may look rather pale-skinned at first. It can take some months for their skin to take on its permanent colour.