The first few hours after birth can be one of the strangest experiences in the life of both a baby and a parent.
While you’re learning how to care for your baby, you may be surprised by some of the things they do. These 8 weird things happen to a baby in the first four hours.
8 Weird Things About Babies in the First Four Hours After They Are Born
1. “Purple Crying”
In the first 24 hours, it’s not uncommon for your baby to experience the so-called “purple crying.” This is a period of intense crying that can make your baby look inconsolable, and their cries may be loud and without cause.
The reason for this is that in the first few hours of life, your baby is adjusting to the world outside the womb. After spending nine months in a dark, enclosed space, suddenly being thrust into the bright and overwhelming world can be quite a shock.
Don’t worry, though—the “purple crying” stage is only temporary, and they will eventually settle down into a more regular crying pattern.
Related: 8 Natural Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom and Baby
2. Floppy Limbs and Jerky Movements
One of the strangest things to happen to a baby in the first few hours after birth is that their limbs may be quite floppy and weak. At the same time, they will suddenly jerk or twitch without warning.
The reason for this is that their nervous system is not yet fully developed, and their reflexes are not yet under their control.
This is completely normal, though, and is just a part of their early development. In fact, you may even notice your baby jerking around as they startle and involuntarily fling their limbs out to either side. This is called the Moro reflex, and it is present in most babies but will eventually disappear after a few months.
3. “Lanugo” Hair That May Stick Around for a While
Some babies are born with soft, fine hair on their skin called “lanugo.” This hair serves as a protective coating over their skin while in the womb and helps to keep them warm.
While this hair usually falls off within a few weeks, in some babies, it can take much longer to disappear. In fact, you may even notice patches of this fine hair still covering their shoulders, back, or even face in the first few hours. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal, and eventually, the lanugo hair will fall out, and they will soon have a full head of hair.
Related: How to Sleep Train a Newborn In 7 Gentle Ways
4. Changes in Skin Color
Another strange thing that can happen to your baby in the first few hours after birth is changes in their skin color. In the first few hours after birth, it is not uncommon for babies to have a bluish or pale hue to their skin. The reason is because they are still adjusting to breathing air, and their circulatory system has yet to kick into gear fully.
This is more common in babies delivered by cesarean section, where they have not had the same compression of their chest against the mother’s body during delivery. However, as your baby starts to breathe more deeply and their circulatory system starts to work more effectively, their skin color will gradually return to normal in the first few hours.
Related: Crying During Pregnancy: This Is How It Affects the Baby
5. The “Vernix” That May Stick Around
Another strange phenomenon that you might notice in the first few hours after birth is a waxy substance that can be found all over your baby’s body. This is called vernix caseosa, and it is a natural substance that helps protect your baby’s skin while in the womb.
In the first few hours after birth, you may still notice some of this vernix on your baby’s skin. While some parents are eager to bathe their baby immediately after birth, it’s actually a good idea to leave the vernix on for a while. It helps keep your baby’s skin hydrated and protected, and it will be absorbed or wiped away naturally in the first few hours.
Related:10 Ways to Keep Your Baby’s Skin Healthy
6. The “Baby Acne” and Milia
If you look closely at your newborn’s face, you may be surprised to see small pimples or white spots appearing.
This is called “baby acne” or “milia,” and it is quite common. Baby acne usually appears as small red pimples on the face, often around the cheeks or forehead. Milia, on the other hand, are tiny white bumps that resemble pimples but are caused by trapped skin cells.
7. The “Mushy” Belly Button
One of the strangest things that you might notice in your newborn’s belly button in the first few hours after birth is a small, mushy stump where the umbilical cord was once attached. It may even look a little wet or crusted over in the first few hours.
The reason for this is that the stump will dry out and shrivel up as it heals and eventually falls off in the first two weeks of life. It’s essential to keep the area clean and dry, but you shouldn’t worry too much if it looks a little strange in the first few hours. In rare cases, if the stump is not healing properly or looks infected, you may need to seek medical attention.
Related:7 Signs You’re Overfeeding Your Baby
8. The “Fist” Grip
In the first few hours after birth, you might notice that your baby will instinctively grip your finger with their fist. This is called the “palmar grasp reflex” and is an involuntary reaction that occurs when something touches the palm of your baby’s hand.
The reason for this is that your baby’s nervous system is still developing, and their reflexes are not yet under their control. This reflex is quite strong in newborns and is a sign that their nervous system is developing as it should.
While it may seem odd that your newborn can grip so tightly, this behavior is instinctual and will eventually disappear as your baby gains more control over their body.
Conclusion
The first few hours after birth can be one of the strangest and most beautiful periods of a baby’s life. While they may look a little strange and act a little differently, all of these things are completely normal and just part of their development.
In the first few hours, you can expect your baby to have jerky movements, changing skin color, and a mushy belly button, among other strange things.
Don’t worry—each of these oddities is just a step toward your baby’s full adjustment to the world around them.
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