Know the Baby's Normal Condition Right After Birth

UMMATIMES - Newborns may be covered in blood and amniotic fluid, sometimes with vernix, a cheese-like substance that protects the baby's skin while it is still in the womb. A newborn baby's skin may be covered with black, downy hair, called lanugo, which will disappear within 2 months of its initial life. The skin color may look dark blue at first, but once the baby starts breathing it will turn a healthy pink. Most babies cry when they are born, although some start breathing slowly. If the baby is not breathing immediately, the labor attendant will rub his back or massage the soles of his feet to stimulate breathing.

The head of a newborn often appears deformed and sharp as a result of its passage through the birth canal. This temporary head shape is possible because the baby has five head bones that are held together by a clay membrane. This arrangement is flexible, allowing the head to be deformed to better fit the mother's pelvis. If the second stage of labor is longer, you may notice a lump on the baby's head called a head, which forms when the baby's head pushes through the dilated cervix. This lump will disappear in the first 48 hours of life.

The head of a newborn baby will appear larger in comparison to his body. In fact, the size of the head is usually the size of the chest at birth. At the apex of the head is a point called the anterior fontanelle, where the edges of the four bones meet but do not meet. There is also another fontanelle on the back of the head, posterior to the phonatelle which is much smaller in size. Both are covered by a thick membrane which is very tough. As the baby grows bigger, this point gets smaller and eventually disappears. The posterior fontanelle closes several months after birth, and the anterior fontanelle disappears within 18 months.

Newborns' faces often appear flat, with ears, nose and cheeks appearing wrinkled or blistered. These wrinkles and blisters usually go away by the first day of life, while the baby recovers from the effects of childbirth. Many babies are born with heads that are already full of hair. This hair often falls out during the first few months of life, to grow back later. A newborn's neck can appear very short and hidden. The umbilical cord that carries blood to and from the placenta becomes translucent and feels gelatinous after being cut. While the cut of the umbilical cord dries, it turns yellow and eventually falls off.

Many baby boys and girls have small milk which sometimes produces a milk-like discharge. This is a result of the high level of estrogen in the placental blood during pregnancy. For the same reason, newborns often appear swollen genitals or genitals and some baby girls bleed a little from the vagina during the first few days of life. Swelling of milk, as well as discharge such as milk (if any) will disappear in the first few weeks of life. Milk should be left alone to prevent infection.

At birth the hands and feet will appear darker than the rest of the body, but with age these parts will become more pink. You will notice wrinkles and lines along the folds of the skin. The legs and arms are usually folded as a result of the bending in the mother's womb. The situation will remain so for the first few months.