Question: Why does my newborn have pimple-like bumps on her face?

First, check that the pimples are confined to her face and not widespread over her body, which may raise concerns about an infection. If they are only over the face, there are two possibilities:

• Milia appear mainly over the nose and, sometimes, the external border of the eyebrow. They are caused by blocked oil-secreting glands, and disappear without treatment within the first two weeks of life.

• Infantile acne is more common in babies who are breastfed, but it also occurs in non-breastfed children. It is caused by the passage of maternal hormones either across the placenta or via the breast milk. This is benign and self-limiting, and will resolve without treatment within the first few weeks.