If you’ve just given birth, chances are good that you’re breastfeeding your little one. And if your baby has flushed cheeks after nursing, you may be wondering what’s going on.
Don’t worry – it’s perfectly normal! In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons why newborns often have flushed cheeks after nursing and offer a few tips to make things more comfortable for both you and your baby.
Do Newborns Get Flushed Cheeks After Nursing?
Yes! This is perfectly normal. When a baby nurses it causes the blood vessels in the baby’s face to expand, which can cause a flush or rosy appearance. This can happy quite a lot in the first few months.
Red cheeks are often a sign of an overabundance of blood flow to the baby’s face. Most babies can experience this, it is all part of the breastfeeding process.
As long as your baby is having plenty of dirty diapers, the baby’s growth is good and they are getting enough milk, then all is well.
In most cases, the flushed cheeks are nothing to worry about and will go away on their own within a few minutes.
Tips for Reducing Flushed Cheeks After Nursing
Flushed cheeks during breastfeeding are common in newborns. Aside from choosing a position that is comfortable for both you and your baby, here are ways to prevent this during breastfeeding:
- Keep the baby’s head above the baby’s body in a reclined position so that their head is above their heart when feeding.
- Help the baby latch on correctly so the suction will release before the nipple is pulled too far back into the baby’s mouth.
- Avoid overheating by dressing your baby in light layers and keeping the room cool.
Many babies experience flushed cheeks after breastfeeding, and they typically go away once the baby’s body temperature returns to normal. By the time of their first birthday, they
If your baby’s cheeks turn red on a regular basis and don’t go away quickly, this could be an adverse reaction and many need investigating.
Flushed Cheeks and Redness Caused by Baby’s Bath
Babies’ flushed cheeks and redness on their faces are caused by a number of factors. One of these is doing things like bathing in warm water. A warm baby can have red cheeks!
Also ensure you towel dry them gently, their sensitive skin just needs a gentle pat-down.
Does My Baby Have Milk Rash?
Milk rash, or contact dermatitis, is a common skin condition that can be caused by different things. The most common cause is an allergic reaction to something in the milk, such as the proteins or sugar.
Milk rash can also be caused by chemicals in soaps, detergents, or other products that come into contact with your baby’s skin.
If your baby has a milk rash, you will see red, irritated skin on his or her face, neck, and chest. The rash may also spread to the arms and legs. In some cases, the skin may blister or weep fluid.
Can Milk Rash Only Affect Breastfed Babies?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding milk rash, and whether or not it can only affect breastfed babies. The truth is, milk rash can affect both breastfed and bottle-fed babies. However, there are some key differences between the two groups.
For example, breastfed babies are more likely to develop milk rash if their mothers are taking certain medications. Meanwhile, bottle-fed babies are more likely to develop milk rash if they are consuming a cow’s milk-based formula.
Milk rash is caused by a number of factors, including blocked milk ducts, yeast overgrowth, and sensitivity to foreign proteins. It can cause a baby considerable discomfort, so it’s important to get it treated as soon as possible.
When to Take Action
Babies will flush their cheeks when breastfeeding and this is completely normal. Many babies will just return to normal cheeks within a few minutes.
However, if you notice other symptoms listed below in your breastfed baby then contact your baby’s pediatrician or doctor right away: skin dry start breastfeeding
- Shortness of breath
- Skin peeling away or blisters in your baby’s mouth
- Swelling around the neck and tightness on the chest wall
- Sores that discharge liquids when scratched
These could be signs of a food allergy or another condition. Food allergy, though rare, from certain foods, can be passed in the milk supply via the breast milk. Possible allergens include wholemilk, dairy, peanuts. We’ve done an article on how to introduce allergens to babies.
This article was written by Sandra Baker – full time writer and the mother of four amazing kids (including twins!)
She’s also a breastfeeding counselor and has spent years helping new parents learn how to care for their children. When she’s not writing or caring for her children, Sandra likes to spend time reading and taking walks with her husband.
