Your newborn's genitals and bleeding
Your newborn baby's genitals were exposed to many hormones in the womb.
Among other things, these hormones can have:
- Makes the outside of the vagina a little swollen and bulging
- Causes thick milky discharge from the vagina
What's more, at 2 or 3 days old, your daughter may have vaginal
bleeding. This is perfectly normal; this is caused by the withdrawal of
hormones they were subjected to in the womb. This will be their first and last
period for the next ten years.
Caring for your girl's genitals
Cleanse your daughter's genitals just like you would any other part of
her body. Part your lips and gently rinse the lines; no need to go further.
Nature takes care of the natural cleaning of the inside of the vagina. Use only
warm water. Wipe back and forth to avoid stool contamination of the vaginal
area. Remember that this sensitive tissue is the same as in the mouth.
When to worry about a newborn's genitals
Contact your pediatrician if you experience a foul-smelling discharge that may indicate an infection. And heavy bleeding, or bleeding that doesn't go away after a few days, may also require medical attention.