Bringing home a newborn is magical—but it can also be surprising, confusing, and sometimes just a tad bit alarming. Babies do a lot of things that seem strange if you’ve never been around one before. The good news? Most of these behaviors are completely normal and part of healthy development. Here are five weird (yet common) things that often catch new parents off guard.
Strange Grunting and Noisy Breathing
Newborn babies are surprisingly loud sleepers. Grunting, snorting, squeaking, and other odd sounds are very common in the first few months of life, often lasting until around 3–4 months. This happens because babies are still learning how to coordinate their breathing and digestion. Their nasal passages are small, and their muscles are immature. Swaddling can help calm babies and reduce some of this noise by making them feel secure. As long as your baby is breathing comfortably and feeding well, these sounds are usually nothing to worry about.
Cradle Cap (and Other Dry Skin)
Cradle cap appears as flaky, yellowish scales on a baby’s scalp, but dry skin can also show up on the eyebrows, behind the ears, or in skin folds. While it may look concerning, cradle cap is harmless and very common. No one knows exactly why it happens, but it’s thought to be related to hormones passed from parent to baby before birth. Gentle washing, baby-safe lotion, or a small amount of olive oil can help loosen flakes. It usually clears up on its own over time.
Constant Sneezing
Many parents worry when they see a newborn sneezing frequently, but babies sneeze a lot, even when they’re perfectly healthy. Sneezing helps clear tiny nasal passages of dust, milk, or lint. However, if sneezing is accompanied by wheezing, trouble breathing, or a fever, it’s important to check in with your pediatrician. They can rule out allergies, illness, or breathing issues and make sure your baby’s lungs are clear.
Jerky or Startle Movements
Newborn movements can look sudden and uncoordinated. Babies often fling their arms out, twitch, or startle easily due to reflexes like the Moro (startle) reflex. These reflexes are normal and actually a sign of healthy neurological development. Swaddling can help minimize these jerky movements and help babies feel more settled. Interestingly, parents often start to worry when these reflexes disappear, but that’s actually a sign your baby is growing and developing as expected.
Explosive Poops
Yes, newborn poop can be explosive. Because a baby’s diet is entirely liquid, their stools are often loose and can travel impressively far during diaper changes. While messy, this is normal. As long as your baby is feeding well, gaining weight, and doesn’t show signs of dehydration or illness, there’s usually no cause for concern.
From hiccups to crossed eyes to funny facial expressions, newborns are full of surprises. Most of these quirks fade as babies grow and their bodies mature. If you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts and reach out to your pediatrician. But remember, newborns are strange, noisy, messy little humans, and most of what they do is perfectly normal.