Most of us don't have an opportunity to care for a brand-new baby before becoming parents ourselves. This leads to many questions about what is normal and what to expect with a new baby. The following frequently asked questions address the baby's first few weeks of life.

A newborn's head is approximately one-fourth of the total size of the body. The baby may have hair on his head, which will eventually be replaced with permanent hair. Babies tend to be 18 to 22 inches long at birth, weighing 6 to 9 pounds. There may be fine hair, called lanugo, on the back and shoulders. This hair is temporary.

Right after delivery, a newborn's skin may be covered with a thick, white substance called vernix. The vernix protects the skin in the womb. If the baby has a longer gestation, the vernix will begin to fade. The baby may have dry, peeling skin if he is very "post-dates."

When babies are born, they may look pale or blue. As the baby starts to breathe, cry, cough and sneeze, she becomes more oxygenated, turning pink and rosy. The hands and feet "pink up" last.

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