Key Facts About Newborns

1. If they are well fed they can sleep up to 20 hours a day the first month of life.
2. Sometimes they are born with a rash that makes them look freckled temporarily
3. If they are close to or at full term they will shed their top layer of skin within a few days of birth
4. The muscles around their eyes are weak and they, therefore, cross their eyes a lot and are unable to focus
5. They often sleep the first 24 hours of life and feed very little
6. They can lose up to 10% of their birth weight within the first few days of life and that is normal
7. Most newborns have some jaundice ( yellowing of the skin,) and it is usually normal, your pediatrician will help you figure out if this is something to worry about.
8. Baby girls sometimes have vaginal discharge, a mini period, and milk from their nipples!
9. They all sneeze and hiccup a lot
10. Their finger and toenails are very soft and raggedy
11. The umbilical cord falls off within 1-2 weeks, and sometimes is smelly
12. Their eyes can change color for the first six months of life

If you have any questions, the providers at MVP are always happy to to jump on a telehealth call to discuss.