My baby was born premature(33 weeks), very fair with pink lips. He was in NICU for 8 days, caught jaundice and phototherapy was done on 7th and 8th day. When we brought him home, his skin color was done 1 or 2 tone. We exposed him to early morning sunlight for 5-7 minutes , for 2-3 days. But one day my mother exposed him to early morning direct sunlight for 25 minutes (she came down only when she was all sweaty and heat became unbearable for her). Now my baby is 23 days old and his skin color is extremely dark, total opposite of how he was born. Is it because of phototherapy or 25 minutes sunlight exposure? Will the baby’s skin tone be back to how he was born and what can we do about it? I am still not able to connect with the baby due to this fact. Me and my wife both have a decent skin color.

Question

Accepted Answer

First of all don’t you think that is it a lot of pressure for a premature baby to not only survive but also have a fair color?
All babies are born relatively fair at birth and actually change color after birth due to skin getting exposed to environment.
Secondly all babies will undergo hormonal changes even up to six months after birth and during this time they will experience a dark discoloration of the skin and also hurtful. It is only around one year of each that their actual color will start showing up. So stop blaming the sun and the photo therapy and be glad that the baby is fighting all odds and still surviving after being born at 33 weeks of pregnancy.￼Write Your Answer Here

Accepted Answer

hi
well , please don't take stress for this.
because babies skin color depends on their genetic and environment.
it keeps changing over period naturally.
just dress your child in weather appropriate clothes.
keep your child in well vantileted room.
feed your child on demand.
avoid using any cosmetics atleast 6 months age and although if you want to use it is best to prefer  baby friendly brand like Babyhug.
maintain good hygiene
provide apt sun light at least 20 minutes a day but in early morning and if child is not feeling comfortable then decrease the timing.

Q. Hi doctor, My son was born fair but he was in Nicu for 4 days & 36 hours for phototherapy after that he turned darker.Will he regain his colour back?

Q. my new born baby was having jaundice, so was on phototherapy for 2 days.he was very fair before phototherapy.after that he lost his skin tone on face and lips. how to regain that ??

Q. when to start solids for premature baby born at 33 weeks

Q. doctor can a baby survive without nicu if it is born in 33 weeks

Q. #AskTheExpert My Daughter was born premature 33 weeks. When should I give her baby food

Q. Why is my baby darker after Jaundice treatment. My baby was in the NICU for jaundice treatment and was kept under blue light. Sometimes his face looks fair but other body parts are dark. When he was born his complexion was fair.

Q. my baby when born had fair reddish complexion but also he jaundice but phototherapy was not given to him.he turned dark . do jaundice makes skin darker. we both husband and wife are fair. will he regain his complexion ? has it happened with anyone??

Q. #asktheexperts My premature baby was born in 33 weeks. I want to know about his normal growth and developmental milestones.