Is this normal? Common newborn things that worry first-time parents

Newborn · Health · Reviewed 20 June 2026 · All articles

The first days and weeks with a newborn are full of moments that stop you cold: a strange sound, an unexpected colour, a movement that looks wrong. Most of the time, your baby is absolutely fine. Newborns are doing a huge amount of physiological adjusting after birth, and many of the things that look alarming are simply the normal work of a body getting used to life outside the womb. This guide walks through the most common newborn concerns, explaining what is happening and what, if anything, to watch for.

Sneezing frequently

Your newborn sneezes constantly and you are convinced they have already caught a cold. Almost certainly, they have not. Newborns sneeze because their nasal passages are very narrow, and sneezing is one of the few ways they can clear them of amniotic fluid, milk, dust, or any other irritant. Unlike older children and adults, babies cannot blow their nose, so sneezing does the job instead.

Frequent sneezing is completely normal in the first weeks and needs no treatment. You only need to be concerned if sneezing is accompanied by a fever (a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius in a baby under three months is a medical emergency), thick persistent nasal discharge, visible difficulty breathing, or poor feeding. A clear runny nose on its own, without fever or distress, is not cause for alarm.

Grunting while sleeping

You put your baby down to sleep and they immediately begin grunting, groaning, and straining. It can sound quite dramatic. What is happening is that newborns are still learning to coordinate their digestive system and regulate bowel movements. The process of passing stool requires relaxing the pelvic floor while simultaneously bearing down, a coordination skill that takes weeks to develop. Until then, babies grunt their way through it.

This is sometimes called grunting baby syndrome, and it is entirely normal. It does not indicate pain or distress on its own. If your baby passes a normal soft stool and settles, there is nothing to worry about. If your baby is consistently unable to pass stool, appears to be in genuine pain, has a hard abdomen, or has not passed stool in several days, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Crossed or wandering eyes

A newborn's eye muscles are still developing, and the visual system is quite immature at birth. In the early weeks, the eyes may appear to cross, wander independently, or drift inward or outward, particularly when your baby is tired or not focused on anything specific. This intermittent crossing is normal and usually resolves on its own by three to four months of age as the eye muscles strengthen and the brain develops better control.

You should tell your doctor if one eye consistently and permanently turns in or out after four months, rather than only occasionally. You should also seek advice promptly if you notice a white or yellowish reflection in the pupil in photographs (this is called leukocoria and can be a sign of various conditions including cataracts), or if your baby does not seem to track faces or objects with their eyes by six to eight weeks.

Is it normal for a newborn's eyes to cross?

Yes, in the first few weeks. A newborn's eye muscles are still developing and the eyes may wander or appear crossed, especially when your baby is tired or unfocused. This usually resolves by three to four months. If one eye consistently turns in or out after four months, or if you notice a white reflection in the pupil in photos, tell your doctor.

Soft spots and fontanelles

The soft, pulsing patches on your baby's head can feel alarming to touch, but they serve a vital purpose. These are the fontanelles, gaps between the skull plates where the bones have not yet fused. There are two: the larger anterior fontanelle at the top front of the skull (roughly diamond-shaped) and the smaller posterior fontanelle at the back.

The fontanelles exist because a rigid, fully fused skull would not fit through the birth canal. After birth, the unfused skull also allows for the rapid brain growth that happens in the first two years of life. It is safe to touch the fontanelle gently. You may notice it pulsing in time with your baby's heartbeat, which is normal. The posterior fontanelle typically closes around six to eight weeks. The anterior fontanelle usually closes somewhere between nine and eighteen months.

There are two situations that require medical assessment: a fontanelle that is persistently sunken and hollow (which can indicate dehydration) and a fontanelle that is bulging or raised when your baby is calm and upright (which can indicate raised pressure inside the skull). A fontanelle that briefly bulges when your baby cries is normal. A fontanelle that stays raised when your baby is quiet and settled is not.

What is the soft spot on my baby's head?

The soft spots are called fontanelles. There are two: a larger one at the top front of the skull (the anterior fontanelle) and a smaller one at the back. They exist because the skull plates have not yet fused, allowing the head to pass through the birth canal. The posterior fontanelle closes around 6 to 8 weeks. The anterior fontanelle closes between 9 and 18 months. A fontanelle that is persistently sunken (dehydration) or bulging (raised pressure) needs medical assessment.

Irregular breathing patterns

Newborns breathe differently from older children and adults. They breathe faster (40 to 60 breaths per minute is normal, compared with 12 to 20 for adults), and they do so irregularly. It is completely normal for a newborn to take several rapid breaths, then pause for up to ten seconds, then breathe normally again. This pattern is called periodic breathing and reflects the immaturity of the respiratory control centre in the brain.

Periodic breathing is normal and does not require any intervention. What does need attention is a pause in breathing lasting longer than 20 seconds (this is called apnoea), breathing that is consistently very fast or laboured, a persistent blue or grey colour around the lips or fingernails, flaring nostrils, or the skin pulling in between or below the ribs with each breath. These signs mean your baby is working hard to breathe and should be assessed urgently.

Breast buds, swollen genitals, and vaginal discharge

Newborns of all sexes are born with high levels of maternal oestrogen circulating in their system, absorbed through the placenta during pregnancy. This causes a number of effects that can look alarming but are entirely normal.

Both male and female newborns commonly have swollen breast tissue, and some even leak a small amount of milky fluid (sometimes called witch's milk). This is caused by maternal hormones and resolves on its own within a few weeks. Do not squeeze the breast tissue, as this can introduce infection.

Female newborns often have swollen labia, and some have a white or yellowish vaginal discharge in the first week. A small amount of vaginal bleeding is also possible, typically in the first three to five days. This is called pseudomenstruation and is entirely caused by the withdrawal of maternal oestrogen after birth. It is not a medical emergency, though it can be startling. It resolves on its own. If bleeding is heavy or persists beyond the first week, mention it to your midwife or doctor.

Male newborns often have a swollen scrotum due to both hormonal effects and the presence of fluid (a hydrocele), which usually resolves within the first year. An undescended testicle is something your healthcare provider will check for at the newborn examination.

Skin changes: mottling, peeling, and jaundice

Newborn skin goes through a lot in the first weeks, and several common appearances can look alarming.

Mottled skin: A lacy, blotchy red and white pattern on the skin is called cutis marmorata. It happens because a newborn's circulation is not yet efficient at regulating temperature, so the blood vessels near the surface of the skin respond visibly to changes in temperature. Cold air is the most common trigger. The mottling usually disappears when the baby is warmed. It is normal and typically resolves as the baby's circulation matures over the first months. If the mottling persists when the baby is warm, or is accompanied by other signs of illness, mention it to your provider.

Peeling skin: Most newborns experience some degree of skin peeling in the first week or two, particularly on the hands, feet, and ankles. This is completely normal. Babies who were born post-term (after 40 weeks) tend to have more peeling because they have spent longer in the amniotic fluid. The vernix caseosa (the white waxy coating that protected the skin in the womb) was doing its job. Once it is gone, the outermost layer of skin sheds and the skin underneath is fine. You do not need to apply cream unless the skin appears cracked or is causing discomfort.

Jaundice: A yellow tinge to the skin and whites of the eyes in the first few days is very common. Physiological jaundice occurs because newborns have more red blood cells than adults and their liver is still developing the capacity to process the bilirubin released when those cells break down. It typically appears on day two or three and fades by the end of the first week or two. Most cases are mild and resolve without treatment.

Jaundice that requires attention includes jaundice appearing in the first 24 hours of life (which can indicate a blood group incompatibility), jaundice that is intense or spreading below the belly button or onto the palms and soles, jaundice accompanied by dark urine or pale chalky stools (which can indicate a liver problem), jaundice in a baby who is feeding poorly or very sleepy, and jaundice that persists beyond two weeks in a formula-fed baby or beyond three weeks in a breastfed baby. A midwife will typically check bilirubin levels before discharge. If you are concerned at any point at home, contact your healthcare provider.

When should newborn jaundice be checked by a doctor?

Some yellow tinge (jaundice) in the first few days is very common as the liver processes excess red blood cells. However, jaundice that appears in the first 24 hours, is very intense, spreads below the belly button, or is accompanied by dark urine or pale stools needs prompt medical assessment. A midwife will typically check bilirubin levels before discharge and advise on any follow-up.

Jerky movements and hiccups

Startle reflex (Moro reflex): If your newborn suddenly flings their arms out wide, arches their back, and then brings their arms back in, they have just triggered the Moro reflex. This is a normal primitive reflex that all healthy newborns have. It is triggered by a sudden sensation, such as a loud noise, a feeling of falling, or being laid down. The reflex is present from birth and typically disappears between three and six months as the nervous system matures. Swaddling can help babies who are frequently startling themselves awake.

Jerky arm and leg movements in general are normal in newborns due to the immaturity of the nervous system. The brain's inhibitory pathways are still developing, which means signals can fire more broadly than intended. These movements settle as the nervous system matures. If movements look rhythmic and repetitive, particularly if they are accompanied by eye deviation or changes in consciousness, mention them to your doctor as these could indicate seizure activity, which requires assessment.

Hiccups: Newborns hiccup a great deal, both inside the womb during pregnancy and after birth. Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm, the large muscle beneath the lungs, contracting involuntarily. In newborns this happens frequently and is thought to be a normal part of developing respiratory control. Hiccups do not hurt your baby and do not need treatment. They will stop on their own. If feeding triggers hiccups, a brief pause and burp mid-feed may help.

Snuffly breathing and the belly button stump

Snuffling and noisy breathing: Newborns are obligate nose breathers, meaning they breathe primarily through their nose rather than their mouth. This is an adaptation that helps them breathe and feed simultaneously. The downside is that even the smallest amount of mucus, milk residue, or swelling in those narrow nasal passages produces noisy, snuffly breathing that can sound alarming. This is normal. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight, the noisy breathing is almost certainly just their small anatomy working hard. If the breathing sounds genuinely laboured or distressed, or if your baby is struggling to feed because of congestion, speak to your healthcare provider. A saline nasal spray or drops can help if the passages seem very blocked.

The umbilical cord stump: After birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving a small stump. This stump dries, shrivels, and turns black over the first one to three weeks before falling off on its own. A black, leathery stump is completely normal and not a sign of infection. Keep the area clean and dry, fold the nappy below the stump to allow air circulation, and avoid submerging the stump in bath water until it has fallen off. Signs of infection to watch for include redness or swelling spreading onto the surrounding skin, a foul smell, discharge that is not simply drying crust, or a stump that is still attached after six weeks.

Head shape and moulding

If your baby was born vaginally, their head may look distinctly elongated, cone-shaped, or lopsided immediately after birth. This is called moulding and it happens because the skull plates overlap during the journey through the birth canal to help the head fit. The degree of moulding depends on the length of labour, the position of the baby, and the use of instruments such as forceps or a ventouse. Even after a straightforward birth, significant moulding is common.

Moulding resolves on its own, usually within a few days to a couple of weeks as the skull plates gradually separate back to their normal position. No treatment is required. Babies born by caesarean section skip this process and tend to have a rounder head from the start.

A related but different concern is a flat spot that develops after birth, usually from consistent pressure on one area of the soft skull (for example, if a baby always turns their head to the same side). This is called positional plagiocephaly and is managed with repositioning and tummy time. It is worth mentioning to your healthcare provider if you notice a persistent flat area that is not improving, as early intervention is more effective than late intervention. It is very rarely associated with premature fusion of the skull plates (craniosynostosis), which would require specialist assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my newborn sneeze so much?

Newborns sneeze frequently because their nasal passages are very narrow and sneezing is how they clear them. It does not mean your baby has a cold. You only need to be concerned if sneezing is accompanied by a fever, persistent nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, or poor feeding.

When to seek help quickly

The list above covers things that are usually normal, but there are signs that always warrant urgent medical attention in a newborn, regardless of context. These include a fever above 38 degrees Celsius, persistent difficulty breathing or blue colouring around the lips, a fontanelle that is bulging when the baby is calm, fits or rhythmic jerking movements, jaundice appearing in the first 24 hours, and a baby who is very difficult to rouse or refusing to feed for more than a few hours. When in doubt, call your midwife, health visitor, or a nurse advice line. New parents are expected to ask questions, and no concern is too small.

Tracking feeding, sleep, and daily observations in one place can help you spot patterns and give your healthcare provider useful information at appointments. Cubby is designed for exactly this kind of calm, organised record-keeping in the newborn weeks.