Babies' and children's skin can mark very easily. Sometimes babies and children can develop birthmarks, and sometimes marks are caused by an illness or injury.
It is not always easy to be sure at first glance what a mark may be. We would encourage you to seek medical advice if you are concerned about a mark on your baby or child.
When Your Baby Is Born
If you notice your baby has a mark on their skin which has not been noted, we encourage you to speak to your midwife before leaving the hospital.
Ask them to document it in your baby's Red Book. Adding this information to the baby's Red Book is important because during other appointments, if your health visitor or other health practitioner notices an undocumented mark on your baby, they have a duty to report it and take further advice. As a result, your baby may need to see a paediatrician at the hospital. This can feel stressful for babies and families, but your health visitor will support you through the process.
Within 72 hours of giving birth, you will be offered a top-to-toe physical check up for your baby, by a trained midwife or paediatric clinician. This is to check for problems or abnormalities. As part of the check up, your baby’s skin will be checked for birthmarks.
If A Health Professional Sees A Mark
Your child may be seen in a number of different places, such as at home, nursery and school. If a health professional notices a mark on your baby’s skin which is not thought to be a birthmark, they will be curious about how it may have happened. They will ask you when you noticed the mark and how it may have happened. This may mean your baby needs to see a paediatrician at the hospital. This can feel stressful for babies and families, but your health visitor will support you through the process.
If you call Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 with worries about an unexplained mark on your baby or child, the health professional will ask you to switch the call to a video call so they can try to see the mark. They will ask you about the mark and may ask you to take your baby or child to the hospital. This can feel stressful for babies and families, but your health visitor will support you through the process. It is very important your baby or child is seen as soon as possible.
It is not always easy to be sure at first glance what a mark may be. A health professional will always be alert to any sign that your baby may be unwell or may have been injured.
If the health professional advises your baby needs to be seen in hospital, they will speak to a paediatrician in hospital. There, your baby will have a thorough assessment called a safeguarding medical examination. This is a thorough assessment which looks at all aspects of your baby’s health. It is important the right assessment is carried out for your baby to make sure they get the right diagnosis and treatment.
If You See A Mark
Babies under 1
If you notice any mark on your baby’s skin which is not thought to be a birthmark, it is important to be curious about how that may have happened, and you will be supported to access medical attention which may be through the GP or the hospital.
Occasionally, children can develop illness which may present with unexplained marks on their skin. If you notice an unexplained mark on your baby, please call Just One Norfolk or seek medical attention immediately.
Children over 1
When your child is learning to crawl, stand up and walk, they are likely to have bruises from falling over, often on their legs, knees or forehead. If you are worried about a bruise on your child, or a health professional is worried, your child needs to be seen by a medical professional. This can feel stressful for babies and families, but your health visitor can support you through the process.
Seeking medical advice
It is not always easy to be sure at first glance what a mark may be. A health professional will always be alert to any sign that your baby may be unwell or may have been injured.
If the health professional advises your baby needs to be seen in hospital, they will speak to a paediatrician in hospital. There, your baby will have a thorough assessment called a safeguarding medical examination. A safeguarding medical examination is an assessment which looks at all aspects of your baby’s health. It is important the right assessment is carried out for your baby to make sure they get the right diagnosis and treatment.
If you are not sure whether your child is unwell or needs medical attention, call 111 or your GP for advice.
You can contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
