You might have noticed that your baby’s color is changing from when they were born and as they grow. But don’t worry because the baby’s skin darkening after birth is normal.
Does baby skin color get darker after born
People photo created by jcomp – www.freepik.com
Babies have red skin by the time they are born. But as the days and weeks go by the baby’s skin color can change. It can turn black from the previous reddish or white color.
Did you also notice this change in your child’s color? You’re probably wondering why this is happening. These are the possible reasons.
Baby skin darkening after birth
First of all, we parents need to understand that the color of our baby’s skin cannot be changed by the foods we eat, our diet while pregnant, or while we are breastfeeding.
According to science, a baby’s skin color depends on the genetics of his or her father and mother at the time he or she is fertilized or conceived.
So, mommy especially if you are pregnant, you don’t have to eat anything just to make sure the baby will be white.
Reasons for baby skin darkening
To better understand baby skin darkening after birth, here are various possible reasons why it occurs.
- High body temperature causes a baby’s skin to become red.
- The baby’s skin may become bluish pale due to the cold. Especially if his hands and feet are exposed.
- If the baby cries loudly, he may turn black or purple. But if the baby’s color does not disappear or return after crying, it is best to see a doctor. Because this may be a sign that he has a circulatory or breathing problem.
- Some babies also look dark a few days after birth even though both parents are white. This is because they are losing weight or water in the body. This may also be because of a temporary condition that affects the baby’s skin caused by health and environmental issues.
There’s nothing to worry about because the baby’s skin color will change or return to its original once his or her breastfeeding pattern has improved or when she is getting enough milk and nutrients that her body needs.
Do your genes influence the color of your child
Umiitim ang baby/ Image from the Asianparent Malaysia
The chromosomes of a person are generally divided into 23 pairs. In a person’s body, each chromosomal pair comprises one chromosome from each parent. This means that each of a baby’s biological parents contributes half of the child’s genetic makeup.
Some of a baby’s physical characteristics will come from the dominant DNA of either biological parent. The child will have brown eyes if one parent passes on the gene for blue eyes and the other parent passes on the gene for brown eyes. This is the situation because the gene for brown eyes is dominant.
A baby’s skin color is a polygenic trait. This implies that numerous genes influence a baby’s skin tone. Skin color is determined by a mix of genes when a newborn receives skin color genes from both biological parents.
Because a baby inherits half of its DNA from both biological parents, its physical appearance will be a mix of both. A baby may look more like one of the parents than the other, or it may look nothing like either.
The age of the baby at birth can affect the color of his skin
Credit: The Guardian
Aside from the above, another factor that can affect a baby’s skin color is his or her age at birth.
Just like with babies born prematurely, their skin is color clear and very thin. It can also be wrapped with a layer of lanugo or the so-called varnish. It is an oily substance that serves to protect the baby’s skin from amniotic fluid.
For babies born at the right age or overdue, they will only see a small amount of varnish on their skin. Their skin also has very few wrinkles to be seen. This is compared to babies born prematurely. But like premature babies, their skin is still very thin.
This is why it is noticeable that the baby’s skin color changes as he or she grows. Because often what we see in a baby’s white or red skin is the illusion given by his thin skin and the blood vessels beneath it.
So don’t be surprised if as the weeks go by, your baby’s reddish complexion suddenly changes or darkens. This is normal and just a sign of his proper development.
Why do babies’ colors vary
A baby’s skin tone might differ for a variety of reasons.
1. Dark red
When a baby is born, their skin is thin and transparent. This means that the infant’s blood and vascular structure can be seen through their skin, giving them a dark crimson appearance.
A newborn baby’s skin is frequently red. The redness of a newborn baby’s skin should fade with time.
Reddish skin on the face, on the other hand, could indicate polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder.
If the redness is followed by symptoms such as trouble breathing or bleeding gums, a caregiver should take the child to the doctor.
2. Yellow
Jaundice can cause a baby’s skin to turn yellow. Jaundice is common in newborn babies and usually goes away without treatment.
The liver of neonates causes jaundice by breaking down old red blood cells. The breakdown of old blood cells produces bilirubin, a yellow substance. A newborn’s liver may need many days to grow before it can remove bilirubin on its own.
Although mild jaundice is typical in neonates, persistent yellow skin can indicate a more dangerous disease. The following illnesses can also induce jaundice:
- Blood type mismatches between the biological mother and the child
- thyroid condition
- a urinary tract infection
- blockage of the bile duct and gall bladder
A doctor should be consulted if the jaundice remains or worsens 72 hours after birth, or if the child refuses to eat.
3. Blue
Newborns often have blue hands and feet as the baby’s circulatory system is not fully developed. Due to an underdeveloped circulatory system, they may have reduced blood flow to their hands and feet.
Blueish hands and feet are prevalent in newborns for the first few days following birth. A baby’s skin that is blue all over or around the lips, on the other hand, could signal an underlying sickness.
When will parents find out what color their child’s skin is?
According to a study published in 2017, the skin of babies altered substantially as they grew older. Babies’ skin became lighter and less red between the ages of 2 and 20. Furthermore, the yellow pigment in babies’ skin increased until they were 20 months old.
The racial and ethnic backgrounds of the babies in the study are unknown due to the limited sample size. Different ethnic skin tones may change in color over time, becoming darker or lighter.
Baby skin darkening after birth: When to go to the doctor
Baby skin darkening after birth should not be a cause for concern. What should be of concern is if he has skin rashes or strange birth marks and black patches on the skin that are not clearing out.
To clarify and dispel your doubts, it is a good idea to take her to the doctor right away. After all, only a doctor can explain what is going on in your baby’s body.
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