Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby's Skin

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Picture the popular image of a baby's skin: soft, smooth, maybe a little wet around the chin. Yet, all of us, babies included, have lumps, bumps, spots, and dimples. It's part of being human.

Learn about some of the common skin conditions your newborn may face in the weeks and months ahead.

Milia

About half of all newborns have tiny, pearl-like bumps called milia. About the size of a small freckle, milia are usually found on and around the face. They represent trapped skin proteins and debris and are harmless and painless. With no treatment, milia disappear in weeks to months.

Nevus Simplex

These marks are present at birth and have many popular nicknames: salmon patches, angel kisses, or stork bites. Found in up to 40 percent of newborns, the marks are also harmless and are located on the nape of the neck, the forehead, the eyelids, forehead, or around the nose. They come from a collection of dilated capillaries and can appear darker with crying. Over the first few years of life, nevus simplex will gradually fade, except those at the nape of the neck.

Mongolian Spots

Another type of birthmark, Mongolian spots are flat, deep brown or bluish-black, and more likely found on the lower body. Usually found on the buttocks, lower back or shoulders, they can be very large. Mongolian spots are badly named, as they are very common in many ethnic subtypes: 90 percent of African-Americans, 81 percent of Asians, 90 percent of Native Americans and 10 percent of Caucasian babies have these markings. These too will gradually fade throughout childhood, but can cause trouble if they are mistaken for bruises and child abuse is suspected.