New baby - what's normal and what's not
Try putting the back of your hand on the baby’s tummy or back. This will tell you if they are hot or cold. It is common for babies to have cold hands and feet. Too help prevent over heating, avoid over wrapping with too many layers.
Fever in babies less than 90 days of age is much more likely to be due to a serious infection requiring urgent treatment compared to fever in an older child.
For this reason, all children under 90 days of age with a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F should be urgently reviewed by a healthcare professional.
The only exception is if they have a fever in the 48 hours following their first set of vaccines (given at 8 weeks of age). In this situation, it is ok to give them paracetamol without seeking medical advice if your baby is otherwise well.
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Your baby should feel warm to touch.
Not Sure
If your baby feels hot or cold try adding or removing a layer of clothes or blankets.
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Seek immediate advice from your doctor if your baby feels hot after you have removed some layers OR if your baby's body remains cold.
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
Try putting the back of your hand on the baby’s tummy or back. This will tell you if they are hot or cold. It is common for babies to have cold hands and feet. Too help prevent over heating, avoid over wrapping with too many layers.
Fever in babies less than 90 days of age is much more likely to be due to a serious infection requiring urgent treatment compared to fever in an older child.
For this reason, all children under 90 days of age with a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F should be urgently reviewed by a healthcare professional.
The only exception is if they have a fever in the 48 hours following their first set of vaccines (given at 8 weeks of age). In this situation, it is ok to give them paracetamol without seeking medical advice if your baby is otherwise well.
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Your baby should feel warm to touch. |
| Not Sure
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If your baby feels hot or cold try adding or removing a layer of clothes or blankets. |
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Unhappy
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Seek immediate advice from your doctor if your baby feels hot after you have removed some layers OR if your baby's body remains cold. |
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It is common for newborn babies to make all sorts of sounds, from occasional snorts or grunts, gurgles and whistles. Babies normally breathe at a faster rate than adults and older children. It is normal for a newborn baby to take slight pauses in their breathing for a few seconds, or to breathe rapidly for a short period. By six weeks of age they should have a more regular breathing pattern.
Sometimes a baby’s breathing rate may increase for a longer period of time if they are unwell and you may also notice they are working harder to breathe. For babies, the most tiring thing they do is feeding, so this can be the first time you notice them struggling to breathe. If they are too breathless to feed, they need to be seen urgently by a healthcare professional.
Happy
It's normal for newborn babies to take slight pauses in their breathing lasting for a few seconds, or to go through short periods of rapid breathing. Babies tend to develop a more regular breathing pattern by dix weeks of age.
Unhappy
If your baby is struggling to breathe -constantly rapid breathing rate above 70 breaths per minute, flaring of the nostrils, making a grunting noise every time they breathe out or too breathless to feed, or if they are going blue especially their tummy, lips or tongue, you need to call 999 for an ambulance.
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It is common for newborn babies to make all sorts of sounds, from occasional snorts or grunts, gurgles and whistles. Babies normally breathe at a faster rate than adults and older children. It is normal for a newborn baby to take slight pauses in their breathing for a few seconds, or to breathe rapidly for a short period. By six weeks of age they should have a more regular breathing pattern.
Sometimes a baby’s breathing rate may increase for a longer period of time if they are unwell and you may also notice they are working harder to breathe. For babies, the most tiring thing they do is feeding, so this can be the first time you notice them struggling to breathe. If they are too breathless to feed, they need to be seen urgently by a healthcare professional.
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It's normal for newborn babies to take slight pauses in their breathing lasting for a few seconds, or to go through short periods of rapid breathing. Babies tend to develop a more regular breathing pattern by dix weeks of age. |
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If your baby is struggling to breathe -constantly rapid breathing rate above 70 breaths per minute, flaring of the nostrils, making a grunting noise every time they breathe out or too breathless to feed, or if they are going blue especially their tummy, lips or tongue, you need to call 999 for an ambulance. |
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
In the early days your baby might have some involuntary movements and may appear very jumpy, this is normal. It is common for them to sneeze, stretch and hiccup.
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They will be able to grasp your hand and will enjoy touching and stroking.
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Your baby should never be floppy or stiff for a prolonged period. Call a doctor if this applies to your baby, or if your baby’s shaking is rhythmic and doesn’t stop when you touch it.
If you are unable to wake your baby, call 999 for an ambulance.
Unhappy
In the early days your baby might have some involuntary movements and may appear very jumpy, this is normal. It is common for them to sneeze, stretch and hiccup.
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They will be able to grasp your hand and will enjoy touching and stroking. |
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Your baby should never be floppy or stiff for a prolonged period. Call a doctor if this applies to your baby, or if your baby’s shaking is rhythmic and doesn’t stop when you touch it. If you are unable to wake your baby, call 999 for an ambulance. |
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Over 50 percent of newborn babies will develop a condition called neonatal jaundice. This is where their skin appears yellow. Regular feeding and exposure to daylight (being careful to avoid direct sunlight) will help to naturally reduce the bilirubin levels causing your baby's skin to look yellow. Most commonly jaundice will not cause your baby any problems, however, if you have concerns that your baby is reluctant to feed, sleep and difficult to wake please visit the newborn jaundice webpage for information.
Happy
Your baby should be a normal skin tone. Babies may have hands and feet that are blue for about 24 to 48 hours after birth.
Not Sure
If your baby is yellow but waking for feeds, feeding well and having wet and dirty nappies, contact your midwifery or health visiting team* who will monitor your baby closely.
Unhappy
Call your midwife or your health visitor* if your baby isn’t feeding well, is sleepy and not having wet and dirty nappies. They will need to assess your baby today.
* The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
Over 50 percent of newborn babies will develop a condition called neonatal jaundice. This is where their skin appears yellow. Regular feeding and exposure to daylight (being careful to avoid direct sunlight) will help to naturally reduce the bilirubin levels causing your baby's skin to look yellow. Most commonly jaundice will not cause your baby any problems, however, if you have concerns that your baby is reluctant to feed, sleep and difficult to wake please visit the newborn jaundice webpage for information.
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Your baby should be a normal skin tone. Babies may have hands and feet that are blue for about 24 to 48 hours after birth. |
| Not Sure
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If your baby is yellow but waking for feeds, feeding well and having wet and dirty nappies, contact your midwifery or health visiting team* who will monitor your baby closely. |
| Unhappy
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Call your midwife or your health visitor* if your baby isn’t feeding well, is sleepy and not having wet and dirty nappies. They will need to assess your baby today. |
* The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It is normal for babies to have poor control over their eyes and appear cross eyed at times. Eyes look grey, blue or brown in colour. They will develop their eye colour from six to twelve months.
Sticky eyes are common in newborn babies while their tear ducts are developing. You may see a sticky white or yellow discharge in the corner of one or both of your baby’s eyes, which may cause their eyelashes to stick together. This is caused by narrow or blocked tear ducts, which generally open up and begin draining normally within the first few months of life.
Sticky eyes are not the same as conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis affects the outer coating layer of the eye and inner surface of eyelids, which in babies may be caused by bacterial or viral infections that they may have been picked up during or after birth.
The signs of conjunctivitis include a yellow/green discharge, redness and swelling of the eye(s). If you notice this, contact your GP as your baby may need antibiotic eye drops.
Infection can be passed on easily, so wash your hands and use a separate towel for your baby.
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Your baby can have a small amount of discharge from their eyes. This is normal and needs to be cleaned with cool boiled water and cotton wool.
Not Sure
If there is a lot of discharge clean your baby’s eyes regularly and contact your midwifery or health visiting team*.
Unhappy
If your baby’s eyes look red and swollen call your doctor. This could be a sign of infection.
* The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It is normal for babies to have poor control over their eyes and appear cross eyed at times. Eyes look grey, blue or brown in colour. They will develop their eye colour from six to twelve months.
Sticky eyes are common in newborn babies while their tear ducts are developing. You may see a sticky white or yellow discharge in the corner of one or both of your baby’s eyes, which may cause their eyelashes to stick together. This is caused by narrow or blocked tear ducts, which generally open up and begin draining normally within the first few months of life.
Sticky eyes are not the same as conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis affects the outer coating layer of the eye and inner surface of eyelids, which in babies may be caused by bacterial or viral infections that they may have been picked up during or after birth.
The signs of conjunctivitis include a yellow/green discharge, redness and swelling of the eye(s). If you notice this, contact your GP as your baby may need antibiotic eye drops.
Infection can be passed on easily, so wash your hands and use a separate towel for your baby.
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Your baby can have a small amount of discharge from their eyes. This is normal and needs to be cleaned with cool boiled water and cotton wool. |
| Not Sure
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If there is a lot of discharge clean your baby’s eyes regularly and contact your midwifery or health visiting team*. |
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If your baby’s eyes look red and swollen call your doctor. This could be a sign of infection. |
* The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
If your baby’s mouth is moist it means he/she is feeding well. You might even notice a blister on their top lip, which may even be present from birth. This is due to sucking and is normal.
Happy
A white tongue is normal after a feed.
Not Sure
If you see white spots in your baby’s mouth which do not disappear in between feeds, contact your midwife or health visitor.
Unhappy
If the mouth is dry and your baby isn’t feeding well, call a midwife or health visitor* urgently.
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
If your baby’s mouth is moist it means he/she is feeding well. You might even notice a blister on their top lip, which may even be present from birth. This is due to sucking and is normal.
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A white tongue is normal after a feed. |
| Not Sure
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If you see white spots in your baby’s mouth which do not disappear in between feeds, contact your midwife or health visitor. |
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If the mouth is dry and your baby isn’t feeding well, call a midwife or health visitor* urgently. |
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It may feel that you are feeding your baby all the time. However, please discuss the changes in frequency with which your baby feeds as they get older with your midwife or health visitor*.
You can seek further advice on breastfeeding, bottle feeding and colic by visiting the webpages.
Happy
A well fed baby will be content during and after a feed and have wet and dirty nappies.
Not Sure
If you have any feeding concerns, visit a breastfeeding support group or call your postnatal coordinator who will contact your midwifery or health visiting* team.
If your baby is vomiting up a lot of milk, you should also inform your midwife or health visitor*.
Unhappy
*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It may feel that you are feeding your baby all the time. However, please discuss the changes in frequency with which your baby feeds as they get older with your midwife or health visitor*.
You can seek further advice on breastfeeding, bottle feeding and colic by visiting the webpages.
| Happy
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A well fed baby will be content during and after a feed and have wet and dirty nappies. |
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Not Sure
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If you have any feeding concerns, visit a breastfeeding support group or call your postnatal coordinator who will contact your midwifery or health visiting* team. If your baby is vomiting up a lot of milk, you should also inform your midwife or health visitor*. |
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*The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
The contents of your baby’s nappy changes from day to day in the beginning. Breast fed babies often poo after every feed. You should expect:
- Day one to four: Baby’s nappies are usually black/green in colour. It can look like thick tar or marmite
- Day four to seven: Your baby’s nappies will start to change colour from black/green to yellow
- Day seven onwards: A baby’s nappy will be yellow. It will be soft and seedy if you are breastfeeding, or look like play dough if your baby is formula fed.
Wet nappies
The number of wet nappies you will expect to find changes in the amount of urine (wee) that you see over the first seven days. Below is a guide to help you decide if your baby is passing enough urine (wee).
Baby's age
Wet nappies
Dirty nappies
One to two days old
One to two or more per day - may be pink in colour because of urates*
One or more dark green/black tar like called meconium
Three to four days old
Three or more per day, nappies feel heavier
At least two, changing in colour and consistency, brown/green/yellow, becoming looser (changing stool)
Five to six days old
Five or more heavy wet*
At least two, yellow, may be quite watery
Seven days to 28 days old
Six or more heavy wet
At least two, around the size of a £2 coin yellow and watery, ‘seedy’ appearance
** With new disposable nappies it's often hard to tell if they're wet, so to get an idea of how much urine there is, take a nappy and add two to four tablespoons of water. This will give you an idea of what to look and feel for.
Urates, sometimes known as brick dust because of its appearance, tiny orange or pinkish crystals. They are harmless salts in the urine, and tend to show up in the very early days. Most babies will pass them once only. They can be a sign your baby needs a little help to feed more often or more effectively. Ask your midwife.
Pseudo Menses or False Periods
False menstruation or pseudo menstruation is harmless. It is a very light bleed from the vagina in some baby girls. It comes from the effects of your own hormones on her system, and it soon stops.
Nappy wetness indicator
Some nappies include a line which indicates when the baby has passed urine. This can help parents to know how many wet nappies the baby has had.
Click here if you are worried about how much your baby is peeing.
For babies who are only breast fed. The poo will turn very yellow with small seedy bits in it. It can also be very watery, which is normal. Some baby’s poo at every feed and some may go a few days without a dirty nappy. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight then there is no cause for concern.
Babies who are fed formula milk tend to poo more often but usually once a day as a minimum. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight then there is no cause for concern.
If your baby is struggling to have a poo and is constipated, please phone your Health visitor for advice.
Visit the Nappy rash webpage for more information.
NHS webpage - Start for Life Constipation, breastfeeding challenges
Common questions about newborn baby poo | Baby & toddler advice| NCT
Happy
Babies will normally have several wet nappies a day.
Some baby girls can have a small bleed or a discharge from their vagina. This is because of maternal hormones and usually only lasts a few days.
You may even notice a yellow or dark orange urine stain in the nappy. This is normal.
Not Sure
If you are worried that your baby has not passed much urine (wee) you should feed them frequently.
Put a little cotton wool in their nappy and you will know if they have passed urine.
Unhappy
From day six your baby should be having at least six heavy wet nappies in a 24 hour period. If you are concerned your baby is not passing enough urine (wee) contact your midwife, health visitor, the 111 service or your GP.
The contents of your baby’s nappy changes from day to day in the beginning. Breast fed babies often poo after every feed. You should expect:
- Day one to four: Baby’s nappies are usually black/green in colour. It can look like thick tar or marmite
- Day four to seven: Your baby’s nappies will start to change colour from black/green to yellow
- Day seven onwards: A baby’s nappy will be yellow. It will be soft and seedy if you are breastfeeding, or look like play dough if your baby is formula fed.
Wet nappies
The number of wet nappies you will expect to find changes in the amount of urine (wee) that you see over the first seven days. Below is a guide to help you decide if your baby is passing enough urine (wee).
| Baby's age | Wet nappies | Dirty nappies |
|---|---|---|
| One to two days old |
One to two or more per day - may be pink in colour because of urates* |
One or more dark green/black tar like called meconium |
| Three to four days old | Three or more per day, nappies feel heavier |
At least two, changing in colour and consistency, brown/green/yellow, becoming looser (changing stool) |
| Five to six days old | Five or more heavy wet* | At least two, yellow, may be quite watery |
| Seven days to 28 days old | Six or more heavy wet |
At least two, around the size of a £2 coin yellow and watery, ‘seedy’ appearance |
** With new disposable nappies it's often hard to tell if they're wet, so to get an idea of how much urine there is, take a nappy and add two to four tablespoons of water. This will give you an idea of what to look and feel for.
Urates, sometimes known as brick dust because of its appearance, tiny orange or pinkish crystals. They are harmless salts in the urine, and tend to show up in the very early days. Most babies will pass them once only. They can be a sign your baby needs a little help to feed more often or more effectively. Ask your midwife.
Pseudo Menses or False Periods
False menstruation or pseudo menstruation is harmless. It is a very light bleed from the vagina in some baby girls. It comes from the effects of your own hormones on her system, and it soon stops.
Nappy wetness indicator
Some nappies include a line which indicates when the baby has passed urine. This can help parents to know how many wet nappies the baby has had.
Click here if you are worried about how much your baby is peeing.
For babies who are only breast fed. The poo will turn very yellow with small seedy bits in it. It can also be very watery, which is normal. Some baby’s poo at every feed and some may go a few days without a dirty nappy. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight then there is no cause for concern.
Babies who are fed formula milk tend to poo more often but usually once a day as a minimum. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight then there is no cause for concern.
If your baby is struggling to have a poo and is constipated, please phone your Health visitor for advice.
Visit the Nappy rash webpage for more information.
NHS webpage - Start for Life Constipation, breastfeeding challenges
Common questions about newborn baby poo | Baby & toddler advice| NCT
| Happy
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Babies will normally have several wet nappies a day. Some baby girls can have a small bleed or a discharge from their vagina. This is because of maternal hormones and usually only lasts a few days. You may even notice a yellow or dark orange urine stain in the nappy. This is normal. |
| Not Sure
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If you are worried that your baby has not passed much urine (wee) you should feed them frequently. Put a little cotton wool in their nappy and you will know if they have passed urine. |
| Unhappy
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From day six your baby should be having at least six heavy wet nappies in a 24 hour period. If you are concerned your baby is not passing enough urine (wee) contact your midwife, health visitor, the 111 service or your GP. |
After birth your baby's umbilical cord will be secured with a plastic clip. The umbilical cord takes round ten days to dry out and drop off. Keep it clean and dry until it does. If you notice any bleeding from the cord or redness on your baby's abdomen, tell your midwife, health visitor or GP.
Cord healing
The healing stages
Day one to two advice for parents:
The cord will be quite thick and soft and will be held closed with a plastic clamp or peg.
Day two to three advice for parents
In the first two or three days the cord will look thinner, hard and drier to the touch.
Day three to five advice for parents
The cord will become very dark and hard in the first week.
Day five plus advice for parents
The cord may begin to ooze a little around where it joins onto the baby's skin. This is when you can wash it off with water and dry it. Do not be scared to gently move and clean underneath - it will not hurt your baby. Soon it will fall off, but never try to pull of pick it off.
When the cord falls off - day five to fourteen advice for parents
There will be a small 'scab' where the cord falls away from your baby's tummy. Keep this clean and dry and over a period of time, new skin will develop. During this time there can be a little bit of old blood marking your baby's vest or clothes. Just give the cord a wash and dry and new skin will cover this area over time.
If your baby still has his/her cord attached after day 14 then contact your GP or Health Visitor for further advice.
Is my baby's cord infected?
If the skin around the baby's cord looks red then it could be a sign of infection, particularly if the redness is above the cord in a line pointing towards the baby's chin.
For more guidance watch this NHS video explaining how you can best care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump.
Happy
The cord can be sticky underneath, this is normal.
There may be a spot of blood when the cord falls off. This is normal.
Unhappy
If you notice signs of infection:
• Redness around the tummy button
• Swelling and tenderness
• Any bleeding.
• Any yellow / green discharge and/or an unpleasant smell.
• Your baby may not feed well and become lethargic and have a raised temperature.
• If you notice any of these symptoms please let your midwife, neonatal nurse, health visitor or GP know at once as your baby may need to have some antibiotic medicine.
After birth your baby's umbilical cord will be secured with a plastic clip. The umbilical cord takes round ten days to dry out and drop off. Keep it clean and dry until it does. If you notice any bleeding from the cord or redness on your baby's abdomen, tell your midwife, health visitor or GP.
Cord healing
The healing stages
Day one to two advice for parents:
The cord will be quite thick and soft and will be held closed with a plastic clamp or peg.
Day two to three advice for parents
In the first two or three days the cord will look thinner, hard and drier to the touch.
Day three to five advice for parents
The cord will become very dark and hard in the first week.
Day five plus advice for parents
The cord may begin to ooze a little around where it joins onto the baby's skin. This is when you can wash it off with water and dry it. Do not be scared to gently move and clean underneath - it will not hurt your baby. Soon it will fall off, but never try to pull of pick it off.
When the cord falls off - day five to fourteen advice for parents
There will be a small 'scab' where the cord falls away from your baby's tummy. Keep this clean and dry and over a period of time, new skin will develop. During this time there can be a little bit of old blood marking your baby's vest or clothes. Just give the cord a wash and dry and new skin will cover this area over time.
If your baby still has his/her cord attached after day 14 then contact your GP or Health Visitor for further advice.
Is my baby's cord infected?
If the skin around the baby's cord looks red then it could be a sign of infection, particularly if the redness is above the cord in a line pointing towards the baby's chin.
For more guidance watch this NHS video explaining how you can best care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump.
| Happy |
The cord can be sticky underneath, this is normal. There may be a spot of blood when the cord falls off. This is normal. |
| Unhappy |
If you notice signs of infection: |
It is normal for your baby to have dry skin. Flaking is common and usually lasts one to two weeks. Babies under four weeks should be bathed in water only. This does not need to be every day, every two to three days is enough.
Not sure? If your baby's skin is very dry, speak to your health visitor or pharmacist.
Unhappy? If the skin is itchy, sore, uncomfortable or broken contact your health visitor, pharmacist or GP.
Happy
Wash your baby with water. Avoid using cleansing products.
Not Sure
If your baby's skin is very dry, ask your midwifery or health visiting* team for advice at your next appointment.
Unhappy
* The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
It is normal for your baby to have dry skin. Flaking is common and usually lasts one to two weeks. Babies under four weeks should be bathed in water only. This does not need to be every day, every two to three days is enough.
Not sure? If your baby's skin is very dry, speak to your health visitor or pharmacist.
Unhappy? If the skin is itchy, sore, uncomfortable or broken contact your health visitor, pharmacist or GP.
| Happy
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Wash your baby with water. Avoid using cleansing products. |
| Not Sure
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If your baby's skin is very dry, ask your midwifery or health visiting* team for advice at your next appointment. |
| Unhappy
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* The midwifery team will transfer care to the health visiting team within the first month of your baby being born.
BABY BUDDY
Baby Buddy is your personal baby expert who will guide you through your pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life. It has been designed to help you give your baby the best start in life and support your health and wellbeing.
BABY BUDDY
Baby Buddy is your personal baby expert who will guide you through your pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life. It has been designed to help you give your baby the best start in life and support your health and wellbeing.
Where should you seek help?
- If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
- If your child has any of the above features, urgently see your GP. For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
- You should only call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations.