What are Babies’ Birthmarks?

Birthmarks on babies are patches of discolored skin on the body of the baby. These marks are either present at the time of the birth or can appear a few weeks or months after the delivery.


It is believed that several babies have some mark or the other – some marks just fade away over time, while others stay on.

Birthmarks in babies can be placed under two categories, namely pigmented and vascular. In vascular birthmarks, blood vessels accumulate under the skin.


Vascular birthmarks are bluish, red or pink in color – the color depends upon how deep the blood vessels are. Pigmented birthmarks are black, bluish, gray or brown in color. These happen because the pigment cells develop abnormally.

Newborn Birthmarks:

There are various types of birthmarks, which can be of different colors, sizes, and shapes. Birthmarks can be anywhere on the body. Some of the common birthmarks are:

• Vascular stains, salmon patches, angel kisses, and stork bites: Dilated capillaries that are near the skin can cause flat purple marks or blotchy pink marks. One of the most common kinds of birthmarks, these can be noticed in around seventy percent of babies. These birthmarks are more noticeable when there is a change in the temperature or when the child cries.
• Café au lait spots: These are light brown and flat patches that can appear in a cluster. Several newborn babies have these birthmarks. As the child grows older, the marks become smaller or fade. However if the child is exposed to the sun, the spots may become darker.
• Moles: These are flat or raised, brown or black, and are actually groups of pigment-making skin cells.
• Bluish or gray Mongolian spots: Flat and large areas of extra pigment on the buttocks or the lower back are common in babies who have dark skin. These are more common in Native American, Asian, Hispanic and African babies.
• Port-wine stains: These are reddish or purple marks and are generally on the head or the face.
• Hemangioma: Raised or flat lesions, these are blood-vessel growths. These are large and can be disfiguring, or small and not too noticeable.

Medical Attention:

Most of the times birthmarks are harmless and can disappear over a period of time. However, there might be some cases where birthmarks might need medical attention. So, we suggest that you consult a doctor if you feel that the birthmark is too large or on the face or at the base of the spine.