Black and Blue Marks on Newborns

There are many occasions in which babies are born with black and blue marks on their head, which happens because of the work of labor and the process involved in giving birth. These spots can come about because of the pressure that goes on during the delivery over the baby’s head, and can also be a result when forceps were used or an extractor. If your baby had these marks or spots don’t worry, as they are not a bad sign, they are simply something that happens during the vigorous work of labor and delivery. These usually disappear a few days after the delivery.

Spots and Patches and Other Imperfections
If you were under the impression that babies are born with perfect baby soft skin, well, actually babies are born with all sorts of imperfections that include spots and patches, most of which though disappear within a few days or weeks. The following are some of the most common skin conditions newborns have:

• Dry skin. Some babies, most commonly those that are born late term, have an exterior layer of skin that seems like a wrinkled raisin and falls off easily after the delivery. When this happens, you can use cream or baby oil depending on what is necessary to moisturize it.

• Hemangiomas. These are a type of reddish spot that can sometimes show up a week after the delivery. They do not have a standard size and can sometimes be big or small and can show up on any part of the baby’s body. Although most disappear in the first infancy, there are some that persist. If it turns into a problem because of the appearance you can talk to a pediatrician about the way to treat it. 

• Mongolic spots. These are grey or bluish patches that are over the lower part of the baby’s back, gluts and thighs and are especially common in Asian babies, South European and babies with black ascendancy. These spots usually disappear within the first infancy.

• Neonatal acne. There are some babies that are born with teensy little white or red spots around their nose, lips and cheeks and some show up weeks or months later. These pimples are something very normal and are sometimes called neonatal acne. Don’t worry as it will not be necessary to submit your baby to a dermatologist treatment, they will go away with time.

• Red stains. These have a reddish stain on the skin and are very deep and dark, or very light and hardly noticeable and are something very common in newborns. These colorations usually disappear or become lighter. However, there are some that continue on as birthmarks. There is one in particular that can be more extensive and looks like a severe sprout and appears and disappears in the first days of the baby’s life.

• Angel kisses. You may also notice your baby has broken blood vessels around the nose and eyes, of in the back part of the baby’s neck. These are often times called angel kisses. They are very common in newborns and they disappear with time, however it may take weeks or months in some cases.