What will the Baby Look Like?

After you are finished simply close this window or click the button on the bottom of this page and you will return to your previous page.

Most parents are not quite sure what to expect when the baby is born. All the pictures you see are usually when the baby is at least twenty-four hours old. Babies change a great deal in that first twenty-four hours.

	What the Baby will look like		What the baby does
	Bonding with your baby		Exit this Page

If you have had a vaginal delivery, your baby may look like a wrinkled little old man. The baby's head will be cone-shaped due to compression of the head as it passed through the pelvis and vagina. This is called molding. The head will become round and normal looking within a few days. If you have had a cesarean section the baby may have a round head.

C-Section Baby If you have had a vaginal delivery, your baby may look like a wrinkled little old man. The baby's head will be cone-shaped due to compression of the head as it passed through the pelvis and vagina. This is called molding. The head will become round and normal looking within a few days. If you have had a cesarean section the baby may have a round head.

There are two soft spots called fontanelles on the baby's head. The larger, diamond shaped one at the top of the baby's head will close by eighteen months of age. The much smaller, triangle shaped one at the back of the baby's head will close by six months of age.

The baby's eyelids will be puffy and the color of the eyes will most likely be blue. A baby's true eye color will develop by six months of age. The baby can see up to about eighteen inches away. The baby has received an antibiotic ointment in the eyes. This is done by law to protect newborns from gonorrhea.

The baby's shoulders and back may be covered with a soft downy hair called lanugo. This will rub off in a few weeks. Bald, a full head of hair, or something in between. These are the possibilities. Every baby is different.

The baby's skin will be blotchy and uneven in color. His hands and feet will have a bluish color and may be peeling. The baby may be covered with vernix. There may be marks on the baby's skin. The most common of these birthmarks are called stork bites. They are reddened blotches on the baby's face and neck. Stork bites disappear within a year. Other birthmarks are: strawberry patches, which are red, raised marks that usually disappear; Mongolian spots, which are bruise-like marks on the lower backs of dark-skinned babies that disappear; and Port-wine stains, which are red to purple marks that do not disappear. Port-wine stains may require argon or other laser therapy if they are large or noticeable.

The baby's genitals will be swollen. This is the same for a boy or a girl and is the result of maternal hormones. The swelling will decrease in a few weeks.

The umbilical cord will be clamped close to the naval. It will dry and fall of within two weeks.

Your baby's appearance will change dramatically over the next few days.

Your baby's footprints are taken before you leave the delivery/birthing room. They will be on a certificate along with your fingerprint. The certificate will have a number that matches the number on a bracelet that is put on the baby's wrist or ankle. You will have a matching bracelet. The numbers and footprints are for identification purposes.

BACK TO THE TOP

The baby will cry, sneeze, hiccup and make noises while breathing.

She will be unable to control her head to hold it upright, therefore you will need to support the baby's neck and head when you lift her or hold her.

Baby's senses are very acute at birth. She will bond to you by smell within a few days. Do not wear scented deodorant, perfume or aftershave lotion for several days after the baby is born. You want the baby to recognize you as her parents, not Polo or White Diamonds.

If you have practiced fetal conditioning, your baby will seek out both Mom's and Dad's voices. She will quiet to the sound of both of you. The music box will quiet and soothe her, especially if she cries inconsolably and nothing else works.

If touched on the check, the baby will turn in the direction of the touch and seek your breast. This is called the rooting reflex. The baby will make stepping movements if held upright with his feet touching a hard surface. When startled, he will throw out his arms and legs. This is called the Moro reflex.

BACK TO THE TOP

There is no such thing as too much bonding

You should touch your baby, speak to him, cuddle him and caress him. Let the baby see your face as you talk. Speak in gentle tones. The baby will respond to your voice. Spend as much time as possible with your baby. Your baby will not be 'spoiled' by too much holding. There is no such thing as too much bonding. The more you interact with your baby, the more connected to him you will feel.

BACK TO THE TOP

To Return to the Previous Pregnancy Menu,
Click the Button and this Window Will Close
OR Visit Other Areas of this Site by Clicking the Icons


Women's Health Index	Physician Page	Spirituality	Published Articles	Home Page	Site Index

Excerpts from: The Family Pregnancy © 1995: MJ Bovo, The Family Pregnancy, Second Edition, currently in production, and Do You Have Any Questions? © 1995: MJ Bovo, are contained within this page. Reprints are not permitted under any circumstances. Please see Terms of Use for full expanation. Violations of the Copyright Code are taken seriously and appropriate action IS TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATERS.