Why Does My Baby's Face Turn Red When Breastfeeding?

If your baby’s face turns red while breastfeeding, you may wonder what’s going on! When you are a new mom, everything feels like a cause for concern, but it’s okay. You’re not alone!

However, it’s best to consult your doctor if you have questions or concerns. Your healthcare provider can guide you in the right direction. The information here is for your knowledge. Let’s dig in.

Reasons for Your Baby’s Face Turning Red

There could be many reasons for your breastfed baby’s face to turn red when breastfeeding. It’s important to note that each newborn baby is different, so what affects one child may not affect the other.

Consider the following:

#1. It Could Be The Food Allergies

What a mom consumes during breastfeeding can affect the child. Breastfeeding moms need to maintain a healthy diet and be aware of the food that can cause allergic reactions.

For example, eating eggs can cause red spots on some children’s skin. So, next time you notice a change in the color of your child’s cheeks or red spots on your face, observe what you recently ate. You can eliminate the food allergens from the diet to eliminate this issue and see if it helps!

If it’s hard to figure out in the beginning, try eliminating one thing at a time from your diet and see if it changes the situation. Also, discussing this situation with your healthcare provider is best, especially when trying to maintain a healthy diet while breastfeeding.

#2. It’s A Heat Rash

Another reason causing your little munchkin’s cheeks to turn red is probably the heat rash. However, it could be a natural response as your newborn baby’s facial muscles are active while consuming breast milk supply.

You can see it disappearing in a few minutes if it’s a heat rash. However, it’s also vital to dress your child according to the weather. For example, you may pack the baby in layers, and the baby may feel sweaty while breastfeeding.

Also, work on the room temperature as it has to be suitable for your baby’s age. According to the Sleep Foundation, a room temperature above 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit could be too warm for babies.

Understand what’s most comfortable for your baby’s skin. For example, your baby may be allergic to the blanket or the clothes you wear. It’s hard to find the exact cause right away, but monitoring and observing your surroundings may help.

#3.Overheating

Red spots on your baby’s cheeks can occasionally be a sign of an underlying medical problem that you might not notice right away. It’s possible that one of these issues is overheating.

You see, a baby may already be experiencing this issue prior to a feeding session for a variety of reasons. Infant overheating can be caused by:

Room temperature is high
Sleeping next to your parents
Too many blankets
The excessive layering of clothing

Naturally, it’s simple to determine if a baby is too warm to be comfortable. A mom who doesn’t get enough sleep, however, might be too worn out to recognize overheating symptoms. She will therefore begin nursing her child, at which point she will notice that his face has become red.

#4. Eczema

Infants frequently develop eczema, especially in the first few months of life. On the baby’s skin, this condition manifests as red, crusty patches.

The joints of the arms and legs as well as the cheeks are the most common locations for these red spots to appear on the body. Of course, eczema is easily treatable, and the majority of infants recover from it quickly.

It’s difficult to determine whether the red spots on your baby’s face are caused by eczema or another type of rash. Always talk to your doctor before beginning treatment in this situation.

Therefore, it might not be appropriate to ask “Why does my baby’s face turn red when breastfeeding” in this situation. This is because breastfeeding has nothing to do with eczema. However, due to friction and increased body heat, the red spots on a baby’s face could aggravate.

However, you might be interested in learning what causes eczema. Sometimes it’s just in the blood. Therefore, your baby will have a higher chance of developing eczema if you or your partner do.

On another note, babies with issues with the skin barrier may develop eczema. In this situation, their skin has a tendency to keep moisture out while letting germs in. That’s a different possibility, then.

#5. Blood Sugar Spike

Let’s start with the most fundamental explanation for why many babies’ faces become slightly redder after eating. Blood sugar levels rise when a baby drinks breast milk because milk contains carbohydrates.

Additionally, some studies have shown that secondhand sugars can enter the baby through breast milk. The result is that the blood vessels enlarge, briefly causing the baby’s face to flush. Of course, none of this is a problem. The redness should go away after a short while following the feeding session.

#6. It’s A Skin Rash

Your baby could be having a skin rash. There are many possibilities, your baby has skin allergies, for example, eczema or atopic dermatitis, or the skin is too dry because of the weather conditions.

If your baby has a skin rash, it’s best to find the underlying cause of such a response. Also, your baby may feel itchy on the affected area, and scratching may lead to sores that can cause more infection, causing the area to appear red.

It’s also wise to keep an eye on your baby’s poop. If the baby is active and comfortable, there isn’t anything to worry about your child. However, if the baby shows signs of distress, dehydration, or other accompanying symptoms along with the rash, notify your healthcare provider and take effective measures. Again, even though there is information online, only a doctor can tell what’s going on!

FAQs

What’s the main reason my baby’s face appears red while breastfeeding?

The exact underlying cause could be hard to find, but you can talk to your doctor and try different things to find a viable solution. For example, if it’s the heat rash, it won’t be an issue; if it’s because of food allergens, you can eliminate some variety of food from the diet and see if it helps.

What to do if your baby has a red rash on the cheeks?

Ask your doctor to suggest a suitable medicine for the baby’s skin. It could be a skin rash or an allergic reaction to the food a mom consumes. You can expect it to disappear in a few minutes if it’s a heat rash.

Is the baby’s red rash on the cheeks a cause for concern?

If you observe a rash appearing red on your baby’s cheeks, it could be a heat rash. If it disappears, it’s not concerning, but if the rash is itchy and you find your baby scratching the cheeks, crying, and there are open sores in the rash, talk to your doctor to recommend a medicine, cream, or lotion to ease the itch or pain.

Can your baby be allergic to breast milk?

If you are consuming a food item that doesn’t suit your baby, you may notice your baby having a gas, constant crying, diarrhea, and possibly a skin rash. Let your doctor know about it and eliminate food allergens from the diet to be on the safe side.

What can new moms do about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can be challenging for new moms. Classes can help, or talking to a professional is another possibility. You can ask your doctor to guide you more about it. It’s also wise to learn about milk supply and how to increase it. Understanding the do’s and don’t can help you in many ways.

How to get rid of the baby’s rash when breastfeeding?

It’s best to wait and see if the rash disappears on its own in a few minutes. You can expect a heat rash to disappear. On the other hand, if it’s a skin rash, you may need to use a medication or lotion recommended by your doctor.

After the first week of life, breast milk jaundice symptoms frequently appear. The skin and eye whites may become discolored in a yellowish hue and fatigue.

Wrapping It Up

There are many reasons for your baby’s face to turn red when breastfeeding; for example, it could be a heat rash, skin allergy, or a reaction to food allergens. In any case, it’s best to talk to your doctor and get medication, cream, or lotion suitable for your baby’s age and skin. Eliminate the food allergens from your diet and see if it helps. Try different things and see what suits your child and resolves the issue!

Reference:

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/egg-allergy.html

https://www.mymilkybaby.com/why-does-my-babys-face-turn-red-when-breastfeeding/

https://www.mustelausa.com/blogs/mustela-mag/red-cheeks-baby

Why Does My Baby’s Face Turn Red When Breastfeeding?