Appearance – Infant

After birth, a newborn’s appearance may be unexpected to parents. Babies have been in uterus for nine months, so it will take time before they look like themselves.

Newborns have many variations in their normal appearance – newborns may have large, pointy heads, puffy eyes, bent ears, flattened noses, pale skin and/or swollen genitals or nipples. Some of these are temporary, and part of the physical adjustments a baby goes through. Others, such as birthmarks, may be permanent. Understanding the normal appearance of newborns can help you know that your baby is healthy.

Learn more about your baby’s appearance by following the links below:

• Head shape
• Skin changes
• Jaundice
• Birthmarks
• Umbilical cord
• Swollen genitals
• Circumcision in newborns (via. AboutKidsHealth)

Services related to this information:

• Contact your Public Health Nurse
  • Eastern Urban/Rural Zones
  • Central Zone
  • Western Zone
  • Labrador-Grenfell Zone
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555