Body. Your baby's body can look long and thin, or display a plump 'pot belly' shape. If your baby is born before 39 weeks, they will often have a covering of fine, downy hair on their backs and upper arms and may be coated with a film of thick, greasy, white cream called 'vernix'. Baby's born 'on time' or around 40 weeks will usually have bits of vernix cream left in their groin, neck and armpit areas. Your baby's body can be blood streaked and may have traces of greenish-black meconium (their first bowel motion) over them if they opened their bowels during the labour or birth.
You may notice the fine, downy hair across your baby’s shoulders, down their backs and on the tops of their arms. This is known as ‘lanugo’ and is very common for newborn babies, particularly if premature. Hairy ears are also common. The hair will usually disappear in the first 4 – 6 weeks after the birth (as may the hair on your baby’s head!)
Enlarged nipples and breasts are common for both boys and girls at birth and are caused by the mother's hormones produced during the pregnancy and labour. One or both breasts can appear red and swollen and can occasionally excrete a little milky fluid (nicknamed 'witches milk' from medieval times!) The swelling should go down in about 6 - 8 weeks.