It is obvious for new parents to feel worried about a baby entering their life; after all, an infant looks quite fragile and is helpless too. Since newborns cannot tell you about their specific needs in easy-to-under ways, it is obvious to feel confused after hearing those shrieking cries. You are likely to feel more concerned when caring for your newborn girl, especially when there are some issues, such as vaginal discharge. Why does it happen? What can you do about it?

Is Newborn Vaginal Discharge Normal?

A newborn girl's genitals will be exposed to several hormones in the uterus, and this exposure may make the labia, the outer layers of the vagina, a bit more prominent and swollen. It could also cause a thick, milky vaginal discharge. In fact, you may even notice a bit of bleeding from your newborn girl's vagina – it could happen 2-3 days after birth.

However, it is quite normal and nothing to worry about because the exposure to certain hormones in the womb is the underlying cause. Take it as her first menstrual period, but it will also be the last one for another decade or so.

Still Worried? See What Other Moms Say about This!

"My daughter had that vaginal discharge, but my doctor said it was completely normal and happened because both boys and girls absorb our hormones during delivery. Just make sure you are wiping it gently because keeping it clean is important."

"A large majority of girls get the stringy vaginal discharge as newborns, and it is nothing serious because they will outgrow. You should not worry unless her vagina seems irritated, red, or swollen. You can talk about it with your doctor. Not every baby girl has it, but 1 out of every 4 is likely to experience it."

Take Good Care of Your Baby's Genitals

As mentioned already, newborn vaginal discharge is nothing serious, but you should take good care of her genitals while she is having that discharge. Simply, spread the labia gently and then wash out the creases. Avoid getting any deeper because her body will take care of the rest. Only use warm water for cleaning without using any soap.

When to Worry

You should seek immediate medical attention if that vaginal discharge has a foul odor, as it could be due to an infection. Moreover, you should talk to your doctor if there is profuse bleeding or normal bleeding that persists for several days.

What About Boys?

The rounded end of your newborn boy's penis is called the glans, and it is covered with the foreskin. The foreskin and glans are attached at the time of birth, and that is normal. Avoid pulling it back because the foreskin will naturally come apart from the glans. It is worth mentioning that your newborn boy can have an erection of his penis – it could happen when you change his diapers, breastfeed him, or wash him.

More Things You Should Know About Your Newborn

Besides newborn vaginal discharge, it is important to educate yourself more about your newborn's body to take care of her in a better way. Here is a bit more about it.

1. Eyes

It is common for newborns to have puffy eyelids with blood spots in the white ears of eyes. This happens due to the pressure on their face during delivery. Any swelling and redness in your baby's eyes may take up to 3 days to go away completely. Light-skinned babies are going to have blue-gray eyes at the time of birth but the color may change within the first year. Dark-skinned babies are more likely to have brown eyes that stay the same over time. It is normal for babies to cry without tears because their body will start producing enough tears by the time they are 7-8 months old. If you notice yellow sticky discharge in their eyes, it could indicate a blocked tear duct that needs medical attention.

2. Nose

It is possible that your newborn's nose is flat or pushed in due to the pressure during labor and delivery. It will look more normal after a week or so. Do not worry if you notice some irregularities in your baby's breathing pattern. It is common for newborns to take short breaths and hold their breath for a few seconds followed by a deep breath. You may also notice them make different noises when breathing, such as snorting or gurgling. This is normal and happens because of air passing through the breathing passages.

3. Mouth

There may be small white bumps on your baby's gums, which are actually fluid-filled sacs and go away without treatment. You also do not need to worry about any yellow-white spots present on the roof of their mouth. During the first month, your baby may have thickened skin on their upper lip, which is the result of sucking. Do not try to remove it because it will go away on its own.

4. Breasts

Both newborn boys and girls can have swollen breasts after birth. This may take several weeks to become normal, and is mainly the result of your baby being exposed to several hormones before birth – it is the same reason why you notice newborn vaginal discharge. Their breasts are going to stay swollen for a rather extended time if you breastfeed them. Never try to squeeze those breasts, as this is not going to help reduce the swelling.

5. Toes and Fingers

You will notice that your baby's fingernails are quite soft, which can grow quite quickly. Use baby nail clippers to trim those nails at least once a week. Do not cut too closely to the skin or it would lead to bleeding. Interestingly, their toenails will take longer to grow, so you do not have to trim them as often.