Skin & Hygiene
Common Birthmarks in Babies
Birthmarks are very common - about 80% of babies have some type. Most are harmless and don't need treatment.
Common types: Mongolian spots (blue-gray patches, common on darker skin tones, fade by school age), Stork bites/Salmon patches (pink patches on eyelids, forehead, neck - fade by age 2), Café au lait spots (light brown, usually permanent but harmless), Strawberry hemangiomas (bright red raised bumps, grow first year then shrink), Port wine stains (flat pink-red marks, usually permanent).
Most birthmarks are just cosmetic. Some types (hemangiomas near eyes/airways, multiple café au lait spots) need monitoring.
What to Do
- Have pediatrician examine all birthmarks at well visits
- Take photos periodically to track changes in size/color
- Understand most birthmarks are harmless and don't need treatment
- Mongolian spots: More common in Asian, Hispanic, Black, Native American babies - fade by age 4-6
- Stork bites: Almost always fade by age 2 (especially those on forehead/eyelids)
- Strawberry hemangiomas: May grow rapidly first 6 months, then slowly shrink over years
- Café au lait spots: If baby has 1-2, usually nothing to worry about
- If 6+ café au lait spots: Mention to doctor (possible sign of neurofibromatosis)
- Port wine stains: Usually permanent, can be treated with laser if desired (cosmetic)
- Protect birthmarks from sun exposure - can use hat, shade, sunscreen (6+ months)
- Don't try home remedies to remove birthmarks - ineffective and can harm skin
When to call a doctor
Call doctor if birthmark: rapidly grows or changes, bleeds, becomes painful, is located near eye/nose/mouth and interfering with function, or if baby has 6+ café au lait spots (may indicate genetic condition).