Getting to know your new baby - body and shape

Now you may think this is funny if you haven't seen a newly born baby but they can look like a character out of coneheads!

But seriously its very common for a new baby to be squished in places and streched in others. If you have a vaginal birth your baby could have a long / pointy head, like coneheads (the movie lol) This is because your babies head is made up of plated bones that overlap during the birth to allow the baby to fit in the birth canal. This usually returns to normal soon after the birth. If you gently feel the top of your babies head you will be able to feel the gap between the plates at the front / top and back of the head. This is called a fontanelles. They are soft spots where the skull bones / plates havent covered yet. (where they havent fused together). Be sure to keep these protected even though the brain is protected its still better to be safe and never press hard there.

Babies eyes can be puffy after birth due to the pressure on your babies head, this too will go down in time. If the eyes have a yellow discharge, like sleep or pus talk to your midwife. your baby could have blocked tear ducts. Dont worry if your babies eyes seem larger then you expected and your baby will grow into its eyes.

Another thing you may want to be carefull around is the left over umbillical cord. It will be cut and clamped off with a small plastic clip and falls off in a few days. The best way to clean it, i have found, is with saline or lightly salty water and a cotton tip. Ensure to keep it dry and clean. If it does become smelly or red / infected ensure to see your doc or midwife.

Something you may not expect is for your baby to have larger or swollen genitals, it is very common for babies and is cause by some of your hormones that enter the baby via the placenta, this may also cause your baby to have swollen breasts and yes they can leak milk. Its best to leave them alone and it will correct it self in a few days. Do not squeeze the milk out!! Again if you have any concerns talk to your doc or midwife.

Most, probably all, babies are born with long finger and toe nails. Its best to keep these short with baby nail clipper as they will scratch them selfs if you dont. You could also use mittens on their hand for the first few weks to stop them scratching their faces.

Enjoy the first fewdays as it flys by way too quickly, and remember if you have any concers ask, never feel silly to ask for help!

xoxo

written by a parker