New Baby: Is this Normal?

New moms are 100% focused on their new babies, noticing every little change in behavior and appearance. Even a hiccup gets mom's complete attention.

It's not unusual at all for a new mom to have lots of questions about what she's seeing with regard to her new baby. So let's look at some common concerns we hear.

Swollen Nipples, Breasts or Genitals

• These are common occurrences and can be considered normal post-birth conditions.
• They're most common in female infants but can also occur in males.
• Most will reduce a few weeks after delivery.
• The swelling is related to maternal hormones and maternal hormone withdrawal.

Blood or Discharge in the Diaper

• This is more common for baby girls and is also related to maternal hormone withdrawal.
• Brick Dust Urine: this is a reddish-orange discoloration in the diaper. While you should take note, it's typical in the first few days after birth.

Cone-Shaped Head

• With vaginal deliveries, an elongated or cone-shaped head is very common. It can also happen in a C-section, but usually when there has been active labor before the procedure.
• A baby's skull bone isn't fully formed at birth to allow it to fit through the birth canal. Birthing causes the bones to become temporarily misshaped.
• While your doctor will want to monitor it, the cone-shaped head slowly disappears soon after birth.

Facial Puffiness or Bruising

• This can be limited to the face but can also involve the scalp. It's something that should only last a few days.
• Mom's pelvis is a bony structure, so as the head comes through, it can experience bruising and abrasion that results in puffiness.
• Whether or not a baby experiences puffiness and bruising depends on how they come through the birth canal.

Eye Issues

• Blood in the whites of baby's eyes is called a conjunctival hemorrhage and is similar to the other conditions caused by coming through the birth canal.
• It's not dangerous and should resolve itself in a few days as the blood is reabsorbed.

Some babies cross their eyes after birth. This is related to working through procession vision and coordinating eye muscles.​