Getting familiar with what's normal for your baby will help you recognise when things don't seem right. In this article the Barts team discuss baby's:
Colour and skinColour and skin:
Your baby’s lips should be pink. The skin feels warm and may be slightly dry. Colour of the body, hands, feet and face are the same. If your baby’s skin looks yellow and your baby is more sleepy than usual or does not feed as much, let your midwife know.
Cord:
The stump of the cord will drop off 7–14 days after the birth. It usually does
not require any special attention, other than careful washing and drying. It is very common for the stump to bleed slightly as it separates and your midwife will advise you how to care for this. Make sure that the nappy does not rub that area. If there is any heavy bleeding, discharge, redness or a bad smell around the stump, do not hesitate to contact your midwife or GP.
Urine and nappy rash:
Your baby should have at least two wet nappies per day in the first 48 hours, increasing to six or more per day by day five. With some nappies it can be hard to know if the nappy is wet or not. Urates are tiny orange/ pink crystals that look like brick dust and may appear in the nappy, but with regular feeding will disappear. The skin on a baby’s bottom is sensitive; changing nappies frequently, either before or after feeds will prevent burning or reddening of baby’s skin. If the skin becomes sore, it is better to use warm water and cotton wool rather than wipes or lotions. Ask your midwife/health visitor for advice.
Bowels (stools):
The first stools are known as meconium and tend to be sticky and greenish-black. As the baby feeds, the stools become a mustard colour and sometimes have a seedy appearance. Breastfed babies will have soft, yellow stools that do not smell, while formula milk makes stools that are smellier and more formed. All babies should pass at least two soft stools each day for the first six weeks regardless of how they are fed. If your baby does not pass a stool in 48 hours, let your midwife / health visitor know.
Eyes:
Observe your baby’s eyes for any signs of stickiness, redness or discharge. Special cleaning of your baby’s eyes is not required unless your baby develops an infection. This can occur for no apparent reason and appears as a yellow discharge in one or both eyes. If this happens, your midwife may take a swab or arrange for your doctor to prescribe treatment.
Bumps and bruises:
It is quite common for a new-born baby to have some swelling (caput) and bruises on the head, and perhaps to have bloodshot eyes. This is the result of the squeezing and pushing that is part of being born and will soon disappear. A bump on one or both sides of the head may occur due to friction during the birth, which can last for weeks, but will resolve naturally and usually no treatment is needed.
Breasts and genitals:
Mum’s hormones pass across to the baby before birth. This can cause the following symptoms in baby; swollen breasts, breast discharge, vaginal bleeding or cloudy discharge, swollen genitals. If you have any concerns about these symptoms please ask your midwife or GP.
Nappies:
Nappies and how to know your baby is getting enough milk: The details explained below are a guide to how many wet and dirty nappies you should expect your baby to have day by day.
Please remember that not all babies are the same and there will be some differences. If you are concerned, please ask your midwife.
First 48 hours – your baby is likely to have only 2 or 3 wet nappies.
At the beginning, your baby will pass black tar-like stool (poo) called meconium.
By day 3 – your baby will be starting to have more wet nappies and will pass stools that are lighter and runnier. They are often green in colour and easier to clean up.
From day 4 and for the first five weeks your baby should pass at least two yellow stools every day. These stools should be at least the size of a £2 coin.
Wet nappies should become more frequent with at least six every 24 hours from day 5 onwards.
It is normal for breastfed babies to pass loose stools.
