Vaginal discharge

Things I have found in babies’ nappies

There are several interesting findings that could be found in a newborn’s nappies that trouble parents.

Vaginal discharge

The first is a vaginal discharge which is common after birth in newborn girls. In most cases the discharge will be a white, yellowish or even red mucus (See picture) This is the baby’s response to the high levels of hormones that come down after birth. Same as the growth of the breast tissue that occurs in babies both boys and girls (breast enlargement in newbors? Read more here).
The discharge is a passing benign phenomenon which disappears after a few weeks and usually does not require any follow up.

Orange powder material called urate crystals

The second finding is a pink or orange powder material which can be found in the baby’s diaper (see second picture). These are urate crystals which exert in the urine. As soon as the liquid is absorbed in the nappy, these crystals remain as powder (you can touch and feel the powder texture).
The presence of these crystals in the baby does not necessarily indicate that the baby is dehydrated and here too, there is not need for a follow up.

Urate crystals

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