What a Newborn Really Looks Like

I remember feeling a little startled-- maybe even shocked-- the first time I saw a newborn baby. My sister, 15 years younger than me, seemed so embryonic that I couldn't believe she was even ready for life outside the womb. I'm glad that I had that experience, though, because it made it far easier for me to understand the appearance of my own daughter when I gave birth several years later. We all tend to have an unrealistic expectation of how newborns actually look. "Newborns" in movies and TV shows are usually played by babies at least two to three months old, so it's common for parents to be a little alarmed by their baby's appearance.

When you first bring your baby home, she's likely to look somewhat unformed and even alien-- in ways that are actually completely normal. If you're wondering what your newborn baby will look like, here's what you can expect in those first weeks.

Body

Remember that your baby is still developmentally quite new at this stage, and that her habits are informed by the time she's spent confined to the womb. Her legs are likely to be bowed and bent, and she will hold her arms in a fist. A newborn will not be able to hold her own head up for a minimum of several weeks and her entire body may feel limp and weak. Due to the effects of a mother's hormones, newborns also often have enlarged breasts. This is all completely normal for a newborn baby.

Eyes

A newborn baby's eyes are likely to be swollen. Thanks to a newborn's tendency to sleep the majority of the time, you won't see them open much in the early days. A newborn's eyes are also generally glassy and poorly focused, and may wander listlessly. A cross-eyed or lazy-eyed appearance is normal at this stage in a baby's development, especially if your baby was born prematurely.

Head

Babies born vaginally experience compression of their skulls during the trip down through the birth canal. This can give the baby's head a cone-shaped appearance, which will self-resolve within a few days. Although it may look odd and even shocking, a cone-shaped head in a newborn is actually entirely normal.

Skin

Newborn skin is often covered in a fine, downy hair. Known as lanugo, this "fuzz" helps your baby maintain his body temperature. It is most common among babies born prematurely. Your newborn baby is also likely to have a waxy substance known as vernix covering his body, especially in the time before his first bath. Don't worry if your baby also shows acne-like bumps or peeling skin; these are extremely common and not cause for alarm.

Although your newborn baby may look significantly different than you expect, his peculiar appearance is likely the cause and result of completely normal development and biology. Remember that these features, while unseen in older babies, are entirely developmentally normal for newborns and that your baby will outgrow them in time. If you have any questions about your newborn's appearance, get in touch with his pediatrician for support.