Period, breasts, swollen testicles: we explain the genital crisis of the newborn

Five days. Or four, we no longer know. Cotton pads, hot water, soap, liniment; now you can do it, you approach the exchanges calmly. You’ve mastered the art of dodging when he’s about to pee on you. This time, however, there is panic. There, right there, in your baby’s diaper, you can clearly see traces of blood! We reassure you: in general, this is completely normal.

Metrorrhagia in girls, but not only

We agree, it’s amazing. Starting a few days after birth, your baby may experience breakthrough bleeding. Kesako? It’s not a very meaningful term for “outside period blood loss.” As you suspected, your little wonder doesn’t actually have her period. These bleedings, present in small quantities, are part of the package of the famous genital crisis. Small drops of blood, ok, but that’s not all. Breast growth, swelling of the vulva, appearance of white discharge (which answers to the sweet name of leucorrhoea), small acne spots… So many signs that you probably didn’t expect in a 5-day-old baby. These symptoms are transitory and above all physiological: no, you did not miss anything in its manufacture.

Hormonal impregnation during the pregnancy in question

So where does it come from? The hormones produced by the pregnant woman pass through the placenta, thus ensuring exchanges. The baby finds himself completely swollen: this is hormonal impregnation.

For a baby girl, during pregnancy, these hormones stimulate the growth of the lining that lines the inside of her small uterus, the endometrium. It’s the same mechanism as the female menstrual cycle! During the cycle, estrogens cause the endometrium to thicken, to the point of reducing its secretion; the mucosa then falls off and menstruation begins. After birth, the baby remains impregnated with the hormones transmitted by the mother for a few more days, then these disappear and small hemorrhages are discovered in the diaper. Rest assured, although it may seem impressive, it is not at all uncomfortable for her. Often the amount of blood is so small that it goes unnoticed. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a uterus, of course.

Breasts and milk flow… even in boys

Your little guy won’t have blood in his diaper. You see it coming, that doesn’t mean we’re at peace.

You need to imagine your baby as a little sponge. During pregnancy he is immersed in amniotic fluid. At birth he comes out of the tank heated to 37°C to enter the ambient air; he will then have to eliminate the accumulated water. This is why, among other things, newborns lose weight already in the first few days (yes, all of them, including yours). Under the influence of persistent maternal hormones, in some areas, especially in the genital area, a small water retention still occurs, forming edema.

When inspecting your little one, you may therefore observe swelling of the bags, penis or vulva, but sometimes also of the breasts! Breasts, yes, you read that right. Well, not 85B, but a little hard, a little swollen and this transient mastitis is completely normal. It is also due to hormonal impregnation. In addition to this breast growth, you may also notice a little milk flow, in both girls and boys! I’m not telling you about dad’s face.

The most important thing is to do nothing

For some parents this phenomenon is fascinating, for others disconcerting. So, what do we do about all this? The answer is simple: nothing at all.

For girls’ metrorrhagia, or for white discharge: no need to clean, it doesn’t get dirty! Continue his care and change as usual. Make sure this blood is not confused with blood from your stool. When faced with genital edema, talk to a healthcare professional if it seems very inflamed (red and hot), otherwise do everything as usual. The child does not suffer. And for swelling of the mammary gland, even if you think it can soothe, don’t try to massage it, much less let the milk flow. Choose comfortable clothes that avoid friction in this area.

Within about ten days the hormones will be eliminated and these small signs will disappear. Everything will return to normal. In any case, never hesitate to contact the healthcare professionals who are with you, they will be able to advise and reassure you.

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