A Nigerian paediatrician, Dr Ayobola Adebowale popularly known as Your Baby Doctor has clarified that menstruation (light bleeding) in newborn baby girls shortly after birth is completely normal and nothing to panic about.
In a recent social media video, Adebowale explained that the condition, called neonatal menstruation, happens due to hormonal changes immediately after delivery.
“Your newborn baby can actually menstruate — and that’s what we call pseudo menstruation,” she said. “It occurs because while inside your womb, your baby was exposed to your hormones. When she’s born, the sudden withdrawal of those hormones triggers mild bleeding, just like menstruation.”
The doctor stressed that parents should not mistake the bleeding for anything sinister.
“You have no reason to be scared or worried,” she reassured. “Simply observe the discharge — it usually clears up in a few days. The baby is not a witch, and there’s no need for panic.”
Medical experts note that neonatal menstruation typically occurs within the first week after birth and results from a rapid drop in maternal oestrogen levels.
However, if the bleeding is heavy, continues beyond a few days, or reappears after the first week, parents are advised to seek medical attention as it could indicate an infection or another underlying condition, Adebowale said.
