Newborn quirks that surprise first-time parents

The first thing you see when you hold them is their body, and almost everything that looks unusual settles on its own within days or weeks. Three things about a newborn tend to surprise parents the most:

Their head is soft and shaped by birth

During birth, the bones of the baby's skull can overlap slightly to pass through the birth canal. That is why some newborns arrive with a slightly pointy or asymmetrical head. There are also the fontanelles, the soft spots on the top and back of the head that allow the brain to keep growing. Sometimes you can feel a small pulse there, which is usually normal. Gently touching them while washing or combing the baby's hair is not a problem.

Vernix and lanugo: two normal things on newborn skin

The vernix caseosa is that white, waxy layer that may cover the baby's skin at birth. It is not dirt: it helps protect the skin during pregnancy and can also help keep them warm in the first days. You may also see lanugo, a fine, soft hair on areas like the back, shoulders or ears, especially in babies born early. It usually disappears on its own during the first weeks.

Swollen genitals and chest: not a reason to worry either

During pregnancy, some of the mother's hormones cross to the baby. That is why, in the first days, some newborns may have slightly swollen genitals, a fuller chest or even a small amount of discharge. Baby girls may also have light vaginal bleeding. It usually clears up on its own within days or weeks. What matters is not pressing on the chest or trying to squeeze the discharge out, because the area could become irritated or infected.

Newborn sleep often puzzles parents at first. They may only sleep for short stretches, move around, make noises, open an eye or startle just when they seemed settled. Even though it looks chaotic from the outside, much of this is part of how they mature.

They sleep in short stretches

A newborn does not yet have a sleep rhythm like an adult's. They wake every few hours and spend a lot of time in active sleep, a phase where they may move their eyes, make faces, let out small sounds, stretch or wriggle quite a bit. It does not always mean they are uncomfortable: their nervous system is still maturing. Over the weeks, those stretches of sleep gradually start to change.

Breathing noises, hiccups and small spit-ups

Many parents get a fright when they hear noises, snuffles, clicks or small pauses while the baby sleeps. In many cases this is normal: their airways are narrow and their breathing is still maturing. What matters is that the baby returns to a steady rhythm quickly, with good colour and no signs of working hard to breathe. If you notice trouble breathing, a change in colour or long pauses, seek medical advice.

It is also common for them to have hiccups or to bring up a little milk after a feed. Their digestive system is still immature, and these small spit-ups usually get better with time.

The Moro reflex: why they startle and fling their arms out

Sometimes, when you lay them in the cot, change their position or hear a sudden sound, the baby throws their arms out wide and then pulls them back in as if startled. This is the Moro reflex, a primitive reflex present from birth. It usually shows up with sudden changes in position, loud sounds or a feeling of losing support, and it fades gradually over the first months.

To reduce it, it can help to move them gently, support their body before fully letting go, and hold their little arms close to their chest for a few seconds if they startle.

Feeding is also shaped by the size of their stomach. Three quirks that are worth understanding:

A newborn's stomach is about the size of a cherry

A newborn's stomach is so small that at first it can only hold a few millilitres per feed. That is why they want to feed every 2-3 hours, including at night: it is not that you have low milk supply or that they are still hungry, it is simply that their real stomach capacity is tiny and empties fast. As they grow, feeds become longer but more spaced out, which is also normal even though it can feel relentless at first.

Colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk

If they are breastfed, the first thing they receive is colostrum: a thick, yellowish fluid, in small amounts, but very concentrated. Then comes the transitional milk and, later, mature milk. The timing varies from one mother to another, so there is no need to compare quantities with other babies. What matters is that they wet their nappies, are alert during their awake windows and gain weight as expected.

Growth spurts: days when they want more

There are phases when the baby seems to want to feed constantly, is more restless or sleeps worse. This can coincide with a growth spurt. It often happens in the first weeks or around three months, although not every baby follows the same pattern. It usually lasts a few days, and during that time they may need more feeds, whether breast or bottle.

Even though it may seem like newborns spend most of the day asleep, their senses already begin to respond to what is closest to them: voices, smells, faces and touch.

They see blurred shapes and only up close, but they prefer faces

At birth, the baby sees blurry and focuses best at a short distance, roughly between 20 and 30 centimetres. That is about the distance between their face and the person holding them. That is why they may lock onto your face when you pick them up, but find it hard to follow you with their eyes if you move further away. Strong contrasts and face-like shapes also tend to catch their attention.

They recognise your voice and, above all, your scent

During pregnancy, the baby already hears sounds from inside the womb, especially their mother's voice. They also recognise your scent: if you bring them close to your bare chest, they will turn their head towards you and calm down more than with any other smell. That is why, in the first days, there are real differences between mum, dad and visitors: your voice, your scent and your warmth help them feel safe.

Contact also plays an important role in the first days. The baby is still adjusting to the outside world, and being close to their parents' bodies can help them feel calmer and more secure.

Skin-to-skin contact can help soothe them

When you place the baby on the bare chest of their mother or father, skin-to-skin contact can help them regulate their temperature, settle down and recognise familiar voices, smells and sensations more easily. It can also support bonding and help with feeding, especially in the first days.

There is no need to turn it into a rigid routine: it can be repeated whenever it fits the family, always in a comfortable, safe and supervised position.

The first social smile does not always come that early

From the first days, the baby may make faces, gestures or smiles while sleeping, but that is not always a social smile. The first social smile, the one that appears in response to a face, a voice or an interaction, usually arrives around 6-8 weeks.

If it takes a little longer, it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. But if the first months pass and you do not notice social response, eye contact or interaction, it is worth mentioning it to the paediatrician.

These little quirks help you understand the first days of a newborn, but no article on the internet can replace a professional assessment. If something worries you, changes suddenly or simply does not let you rest easy, the best thing to do is talk it over with your paediatrician. And if there is a fever, trouble breathing, a sudden change in colour, no response or any signal that feels urgent, seek medical care.

If you are still preparing for the arrival, it can help to separate two moments: what you pack for birth with a hospital bag checklist and what is worth having ready for the first 7 days at home with baby.

And if what you see does sit within these things and stays steady as the days go by, take a breath: most likely it is a normal part of their adjustment as they finish maturing. Newborns do not do things the way you expected because not every baby matches the idealised picture we tend to have in mind.