Article: At birth, a newborn's skin may be reddish or pinkish. However, the baby's hands and feet may be bluish (acrocyanosis) because blood and oxygen are not yet circulating fully to the extremities. As the newborn's circulatory system opens, this bluish color will subside. If your newborn's skin is bluish all over (cyanosis), however, let your physician know right away. If your skin is dark, you can expect that your newborn's will be lighter than yours at first. Newborns with fair skin may show some mottling, with blotches of reddish and whitish skin. There may be pink patches over a newborn's eye or in the middle of his or her forehead. These are called Nevus simplex, commonly known as "angel kisses" or "salmon patches." Usually, these fade within a few months, although they may be faintly visible afterwards. Occasionally, a similar patch may be visible on the nape of a newborn's neck. This is often called a "stork bite" and will also fade or become less noticeable in time. Because birth can be a physically demanding experience for both mother and baby, a newborn may have some bruising. This may show as patches of blue or other colors on the baby's skin at various places. This is not usually a cause for concern, however. Your physician will examine your newborn, including any bruising (if present), and make sure that he or she is ok.

What is a summary?
Note your newborn's skin tone. Look for common color patches. Don't be alarmed if there is some bruising.