What Does A 10-Day Old Baby Look Like?

Newborn babies undergo a variety of changes especially when they’re spending an increasing amount of time outside of the mother’s womb. These changes will include distinct changes in looks and a development of different characteristics. While the characteristics are often limited to sounds and bodily movements that they produce, the changes in their physical appearance will definitely be noticeable as it will be different from what they looked like a few hours or a day or two after they’ve been given birth to.

Read more about what makes newborn babies adorable

To help you understand the changes that will occur with your baby’s body, here are just some of the wonderful changes that you’ll be noticing on your baby’s 10th day outside of the womb…

Umbilical Cord

The baby’s umbilical cord will start to dry up. Don’t be afraid of its color and texture. It’s drying out as it’s been cut and is not receiving anymore nutrients to transfer from the mother to the baby. The “stump” that it forms will eventually dry out and fall out 1-3 weeks after the baby is born. Parents are advised not to pull on the stump and stick to sponge baths in order to keep the stump dry.

Skin

You may notice that the baby’s skin will be peeling. Skin peeling in any part of the body is very typical for newborns. Babies are covered in various fluids when they come out of the womb. One of these fluids is called the vernix, which is a thick fluid that protects the baby’s skin against the amniotic fluid. The more vernix that the baby has coated around him/her, the less likely it will be for the baby to have peeling skin. It will usually go away on its own and won’t need extra care.

Feet

The baby’s feet will generally be longer in proportion to the legs. You can compare the feet’s length to the length of the baby’s shin. They will most likely be as long as the baby’s shin.

Eyes

The baby’s eye movement will also have many differences. They will move around a lot and will sometimes not be in tandem or well-coordinated with each other. Remember that babies will be near sighted at first and sometimes they will be crossed or teary. But these are all normal, so you don’t need to worry about it. 

Ready to begin playing with your baby? Here’s some ideas to get you started! Playing with a baby in the first months looks a little different than playing with an older baby.

Fingernails

Your baby’s fingernails will be longer than the first time you saw them after birth. Don’t let their fingernails’ soft texture be in the way of you cutting their nails. They will need trimming, but not too often. The best time to trim them is when they’re sleepy, drowsy, or very calm. Don’t use adult nail cutters as they’re simply too big and sharp. Use special nail trimmers for babies which are small clippers with rounded edges. Using this will help avoid cutting their skin and causing unnecessary cuts that might cause infection. 

Overall weight loss

Babies will usually shed weight after being born whether they are breastfed or fed with formula. According to the World Health Organization, babies will lose 5-10% of their weight in the first 2 weeks outside of the womb. It will then regain the lost weight 2 weeks later. 

Babies have ever-changing bodily changes as they receive consistent nutrition that helps them grow. You’ll see them  change in just a matter of weeks and months. Growth in the first year is exponential – never again will your baby grow and develop so fast! So take lots of pictures and videos! You’ll want to look back at these first days. In the months to come you’ll marvel at how your baby how much your baby has changed in such a short period of time. 

Enjoy that sweet little one,