About a third of babies are born with a birthmark of some kind. The most common type is a stork mark (pictured), also known as a salmon patch or angel kiss. This is a pale pink patch on your baby’s face or neck, which may appear more red when she cries. Stork marks usually disappear within six months.
Most birthmarks are harmless and will disappear on their own, though some can be a sign of a condition that needs treatment. If your baby has a birthmark, or any unexplained bumps or colouring on her skin ask your GP to take a look.
Your baby could smell and taste before she was even born. She’ll quickly grow to love your own natural scent, and it may help to soothe and calm her when she’s upset. So try to avoid using strong-smelling toiletries in the early weeks with your newborn.
Your baby actually has many more tastebuds than you, spread across her whole mouth rather than just on her tongue. While you were pregnant, she got a tiny taste of everything you ate, and she’ll continue to enjoy the same flavours as you in your breastmilk. She may even show a preference for these foods later in life.
3.Boys’ and girls’ brains are different
Exactly how different, and what effect this has on development, is hotly debated.
Research suggests that newborn boys’ brains may grow faster than girls’ brains in the first three months, particularly in areas that control movement. On the other hand, girls may have more sensitive senses, meaning that they can see and hear better than boys to begin with.
However, the way you care for your baby is likely to have a much bigger effect on their development than whether they’re a girl or a boy. And there are plenty of ways to avoid gender-stereotyping your child.