Newborn Things That Freak You Out (But Are Actually Normal)
No one tells you that newborns are weird.
I mean it with love. They’re squishy and perfect and smell like milk, but also, they do things that’ll have you Googling “Is my baby broken?” at 2 a.m. with one eye open and dried spit-up in your clothes.
If you’re a first-time mom, let me give you a little peace of mind. Some of the newborn things that freak you out might look alarming, but they’re actually completely normal. I promise. Here’s a list of the top baby things that freaked me out and why you probably don’t need to call the pediatrician yet.
1. They sneeze. A lot
You’ll think they’re getting sick. You’ll start wiping down every surface in your house. But newborns sneeze to clear out their tiny noses from dust, milk, or random particles that get in there. It doesn’t mean they have a cold. Their nasal passages are tiny, and sneezing is how they deal with it.
Unless there’s a fever or they seem really stuffed up, the sneezing is fine. Let it go.
2. They breathe weird
This one had me on high alert. One minute they’re breathing fast, then it slows down, then they pause, and you’re staring like, “Are they still alive?”
It’s called periodic breathing, and it’s normal for newborns, especially in the early months. Their nervous systems are still learning how to work properly.
They’ll settle into a rhythm eventually. If their lips turn blue or they stop breathing for more than 10 seconds, that’s a reason to call. But most of the time, they’re okay. Try to breathe easy too.
3. Their poop changes colors
I used to study diapers like they were crime scenes. Black poop? Normal (it’s called meconium). Greenish? Also normal. Mustard yellow with seedy bits? Breastfed baby poop at its finest.
If you want to know what all those colors mean and when to worry, here’s my Newborn Poop Colors guide.
Unless it’s white, red, or you’re seeing actual mucus or signs of dehydration, your baby’s poop is allowed to be weird. Welcome to the next 3 years of talking about it more than you ever thought possible.
4. They look like tiny bodybuilders when they sleep
You know that reflex where they throw their arms up like they’re about to lift weights, then flinch? That’s the Moro reflex.
It’s basically their startle reflex, and it usually shows up during sleep or diaper changes. It looks dramatic, but it’s normal. They’re not having a seizure. They’re adjusting to life outside your belly.
Pro Tip: Swaddling helps if it’s waking them up every 20 minutes.
5. Their skin peels off like a little lizard
Newborn skin often starts to peel during those early weeks. They spent months floating in fluid, and now their skin is adjusting to dry air. Some babies don’t need anything. I used a mild lotion like Cetaphil or Mustela on mine, just to keep their skin from drying out more.
Unless the skin looks cracked or irritated, it’s nothing to stress about. By now, you’ve probably realized that a lot of these newborn things that freak you out are just part of the deal.
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6. They sound congested even when they’re not sick
Newborns are loud sleepers. Grunting, snorting, and fake coughing. It all comes with the territory.
Their airways are tiny, and they haven’t figured out how to clear them quietly. It doesn’t always mean they’re sick. You can use a saline spray or suction bulb if it sounds really wet or blocked, but most of the time, they’re totally fine, making weird little noises in their sleep.
7. They get baby acne
And it’s not from dirty sheets or your breast milk being too oily. It’s hormones. Yours, still lingering in their little system, causing breakouts on their cheeks, nose, or even chest.
It looks worse than it is. Don’t pick at it, don’t scrub it, and don’t apply anything fancy. It usually clears up on its own in a few weeks.
8. Hiccups. Constantly.
Feeding? Hiccups. Tummy time? Hiccups. The minute you try to sleep? More hiccups. And now you’re wondering if it’s normal or something to worry about.
It’s not. Their diaphragm is still developing. Hiccups are normal and don’t bother babies as much as they bother us. Don’t waste your money on every hiccup remedy out there.
9. They go cross-eyed sometimes
This one messed with my head. Babies are staring at you, and then suddenly their eyes drift in different directions like they’re about to fall asleep and astral project.
It’s totally fine. They haven’t fully learned how to control their eye movements yet. Most babies grow out of it within a few months.
10. They spit up like tiny volcanoes
Nobody really warns you how much effort goes into burping a baby. Skip it and you’ll find out fast. Milk doesn’t just come back up, it can shoot out unexpectedly, sometimes through their nose like a baby party trick.
It’s messy but usually normal. Newborns spit up because their digestive systems are still learning. Burping helps release trapped air so the milk stays down. If they’re gaining weight, peeing enough, and seem fine after feeds, don’t overthink it. Keep a burp cloth nearby. Maybe two.
So, should you worry?
Honestly, you’re going to worry no matter what. That’s part of it. But most of these newborn things that freak you out are actually just part of having a brand new human. If something feels off or your gut says to call the pediatrician, do it. There’s no shame in checking.
But if you’re sitting there staring at your baby because they hiccupped and sneezed in the same breath, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It means you’re in that blurry newborn stretch where nothing makes sense and everything feels a little too quiet or a little too loud. It’s not you. It’s not your baby. This is just how newborn life goes sometimes.
Keep going. You’re doing the job no one can fully explain until you’re in it.
Mommy Ces
Mom of three, figuring things out one day at a time. I write about the real parts of motherhood, the messy days, the little wins, and all the in-betweens that don’t always make it to Instagram. This space is a mix of stories, reflections, and reminders that you're not alone.
