Baby birthmarks: types, meaning and when to check | Parenting Hub
A plain-English guide to common baby birthmarks — stork bites, Mongolian spots, haemangiomas and more. Aligned with RCH and Raising Children guidance.
Most birthmarks are harmless and many fade with time. A few types need a quick check by your GP — here's what to look for.
What is it?
A birthmark is a coloured mark on the skin present at birth or in the first weeks of life. They're very common and almost always harmless. Some types fade by school age; others stay for life.
Common types
- Stork bites (salmon patches): flat pink marks on the nape, eyelids or forehead — most facial ones fade by age 2
- Mongolian spots (congenital dermal melanocytosis): blue-grey patches on the lower back or bottom, common in babies with darker skin — fade by school age
- Strawberry marks (infantile haemangiomas): raised bright red lumps that appear in the first weeks, grow until ~6–12 months, then slowly shrink
- Port wine stains: flat purple-red marks that don't fade and grow with the child
- Café-au-lait spots: flat light-brown patches — 1–2 are normal; 6 or more should be checked
- Congenital melanocytic naevi: brown or black moles present at birth
Causes
Birthmarks form from clusters of pigment cells or extra blood vessels in the skin. They're not caused by anything you did or ate in pregnancy.
What helps
- Most birthmarks need no treatment — just a photo each month to track changes
- Protect any birthmark from sunburn with shade, a hat and SPF 50+ (from 6 months)
- Show your GP or child health nurse any new or changing mark at your next check
When to see a doctor
Book a GP review if a haemangioma is on the face (especially near eye, nose or mouth), in the nappy area, or there are 5 or more on the body — early treatment can prevent problems. Also review port wine stains on the face (especially around the eye), 6 or more café-au-lait spots, or any large pigmented mole.
When to seek urgent care
Urgent care if a haemangioma ulcerates, bleeds heavily or blocks vision, breathing or feeding.
When to seek help
- Haemangioma near the eye, nose, mouth or in the nappy area
- Bleeding or open sore on a birthmark
- 6 or more café-au-lait spots
- Any rapidly changing, dark or irregular mark
Common questions
Will the strawberry mark go away?
Most do. Haemangiomas grow fastest in the first 5 months, then shrink slowly — about 50% are flat by age 5 and 90% by age 9. Treatment is only needed if location or growth is a concern.
Are Mongolian spots a sign of bruising?
No — they're a normal pigmented birthmark, most common in babies with darker skin. Ask your nurse or GP to note them in your baby's record to avoid confusion later.