When you’re expecting a baby, you imagine them to be perfect. 10 perfect little fingers, 10 perfect little toes. We all have worries about them being healthy, and we all have that little flutter of anxiety as we go into our 12 and 20 week scans. The funny thing is though, that once our baby is here, it doesn’t matter what imperfections society may perceive them to have, for they will be completely and utterly perfect to us as their parents. They will be perfect despite any birthmarks, freckles, beauty spots or anything else that is perceived as a blemish.
When Baby Lighty was born, he was completely unblemished. No birthmarks to be seen on his baby soft skin. A tiny 6lbs 8.5oz, he was a little on the wrinkly side, like his skin didn’t quite fit his frame, but of course Mr Lighty and I thought that he was completely and utterly perfect. We still do.
A birthmark free, newborn Baby Lighty.
At about 10 days old, a curious thing happened. We started to notice that since being born he had developed a tiny freckle under one eye. I can remember that it appeared at about this time, as when we had the postnatal Health Visitor appointment, she asked if he had any unusual or distinguishing features. I pointed out the tiny freckle, and the Health Visitor commented that it was probably just a pigment birthmark and to keep an eye on it to make sure that it didn’t get any bigger in proportion to his facial features.
You can just see that Baby Lighty’s birthmark is starting to appear here, just under his left eye.
According to the
NHS website, pigmented birthmarks such as this are called café-au-lait spots, and many children have one or two. Indeed, Mrs Lighty has one herself, and whilst pregnant, I also had pregnancy mask under one eye, in the exact same spot as Baby Lighty’s birthmark is; the Health Visitor seemed to think that Baby Lighty’s birthmark could be linked to my pregnancy mask!
To be honest, although it was a bit worrying when Baby Lighty’s birthmark first appeared, Mr Lighty and I have nothing but love for it. When I would feed him his bottles, I’d often find myself stroking his birthmark with my spare fingers, and we always say that it adds character to his already beautiful face.
I love his birthmark, it’s one of the many cute little things that makes Baby Lighty Baby Lighty. But that’s not to say that I don’t worry about his birthmark, either.
You can clearly see his birthmark here, under his left eye.
I worry for him in the sense that, will he grow up to hate it? It’s got slightly bigger purely as his face has got bigger, and I’ve always worried that it’ll get big to the point of him feeling self conscious about it. I also worry about what other children will make of it when he gets to school age, because try as we might as parents to both bring our children up to be respectful of difference as well as shield them from any hurt, we all know that kids can be mean, even if they don’t mean to be.
My beautiful boy!
Whenever someone new has met Baby Lighty in the past, one of the first things they comment on is his birthmark. Most of the time it’s simply out of curiosity to the effect of “oh what’s that little mark on his cheek?”, but there have been some nasty comments made too, even if they were a case of not thinking before they were spoken. As an example, a family member once said “Every time I see [Baby Lighty] I always think he’s got a dirty mark on his face because of his birthmark!” Although at the time I felt ready to spit blood on Baby Lighty’s behalf, I put a brave face on it and told the truth: that I love his little birthmark. The comment did get me thinking – or rather worrying – however. If that’s a family member saying that, what will other children say?
My gorgeous boy and I now.
I guess the only good thing about the whole situation is that it has made me firmly want to not only celebrate in his quirks, but also teach Baby Lighty to be tolerant of other people’s quirks. We are all different, and none of us are perfect. And wouldn’t the world be a boring place if we all were?
And yet the irony in all this? After all of this worry, his little birthmark is now starting to fade. Over the last six months it’s definitely become less noticeable. And despite all the worry associated with it, I know that if it disappears completely, I’m really going to miss it.
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I have to say, I didn’t realise Baby Lighty wasn’t born with his birthmark – I’ve become so used to seeing it that I’ve never known it not be there. It is part of him! We had similar worries with Alfie’s birthmark – with his being a strawberry birthmark there is a slight risk of it bursting and bleeding and we’ve had to have regular check up to ensure there’s nothing sinister below it as it is quite a protruding lump. Happily, it seems to be getting smaller as he gets bigger so Im hoping it will disappear like my one did! #DreamTeam
I think that is the way with lots of birthmarks from what I’ve heard, that they disappear over time. Yes it appeared at about 10 days old and started as a tiny freckle!! #DreamTeam
My daughter has birthmark too. In the middle of her eyebrows. It gets darker if she is tired. Her dad has one in exactly the same place. We had comments too, “oh has she bumped her head” etc. But I wouldn’t change her for the world xxx
Oh that’s so interesting that it gets darker when she is tired and also that her dad has one the same! I just love that! No I bet you wouldn’t change her, I definitely wouldn’t change Baby Lighty! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
What a gorgeous post Nic. To be honest, I didn’t even notice Baby Lightys birthmark in any of your photos until you pointed it out. There will always be people who make a big deal of anything and everything. The comment about having a dirty face isn’t exactly what any parent would want to hear, what a strange thing to say. I think is beautiful and unique to your little one. Thank you for sharing with the #DreamTeam xx
Thank you Annette. I love it to bits. It’s part of what makes him him, but I just worry what the likes of other children will say as he gets older. Good to have you back on #DreamTeam my lovely xxx
I have several birthmarks and I love them! #DreamTeam
They’re fab I think! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
What a gorgeous baby boy you have! I bet he’ll grow up loving it. It gives his face character! #dreamteam
I hope so. I really love it and agree that it gives his face character! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I think his birthmark is fab – it just make him more unique! My daughter has one in the middle of her back just like I do – I can’t wait to point that out to her because she loves when she and Mummy are ‘same’. #DreamTeam
Oh that’s so cute! Twinning is winning!! I know, I love the uniqueness of birthmarks too. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
My daughter has 2 birth marks and one is on her face. At 17 it now looks like a large freckle and is part of her so we and she loves it! Considering her dislocated hips at birth, I didn’t notice it for a few weeks! Your baby is beautiful. #Dreamteam
Thank you so much! I think Baby Lighty’s will be freckle like when he’s older too. I bet your girly is gorgeous. Sorry to hear that she had to go through dislocated hips at birth. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
What a gorgeous little boy! He is too cute!! What you said about being so worried at the 12&20 week scans really resonated with me. I worried all through my pregnancy yet the minute my kids were born they could’ve had 2 heads and I wouldn’t have cared less! I think your little boy’s birthmark is adorable btw x #DreamTeam
Exactly! Thank you for your kind words. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
It’s weird, but if the post hadn’t been about birthmarks I don’t think I would have noticed it in your photos – it’s just something that makes him unique and gorgeous the way he is! #DreamTeam
I’m always surprised by how many people say that. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Oh he’s so beautiful and you’re right to think he’s 100% perfect! My daughter has a similar coloured mark on her ankle, a bit bigger but now she is 6 I can barely make it out. My friends daughter (also 6) has a red mark (like a burst blood vessel) in the same place as Baby Lighty but bright red with tiny spider veins. It’s just part of her and I don’t even think the other school children really notice it. I know what you mean about worrying but you might find that he’s quite blase about it if anyone comments on it.
#DreamTeam
I hope so. None of his slightly older little friends so far have said anything so hopefully they’ll all be accepting. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
This is such a great topic to share, we should all be celebrating our quirks and difference! Your son is beautiful. After all….”I am me and that is my power”
#DreamTeam
Thank you so much! It’s definitely a little quirk of his and I love it! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
He.s handsome! I bet as he gets older it will be a cool thing feature to have. I was always desperate for a madonna mole when I was a teenager! He’s a gorgeous chap thats for sure!
#DreamTeam
Haha! I could tell him it’s his Madonna mole?! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
He’s gorgeous! I hadn’t noticed the mark until you pointed it out, I was too busy cooing over his cheeky face and happy grin.
That is the cutest wee birthmark I’ve ever seen. My eldest daughter had a little red mark on her eyelid and one on the nape of her neck. Both faded away, well the one on her eye did, she’s now 14 years old and has a lot of very long thick hair, so I’ve no idea about the one on her neck #DreamTeam x
I think the birthmarks and beauty spots are adorable. It’s a unique part of them. 🙂 x
#dreamteam
It is such a shame that people think they have the right to make comments. I wish they’d keep their mouths shut! Your son is gorgeous! My son has autism so for us we have the opposite problem because his disability is invisible people often make inappropriate comments or stare. The world would be so much better if we accepted everyone for exactly who they are! #DreamTeam
awww this is such a sweet post, birthmarks are a part of who we are. My son has a birthmark on on his leg and I think it’s so unique #dreamteam
It does make them unique, doesn’t it? Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
My daughter has a little skin tag on her chest which is only small but I worry that as she grows up she’ll become self conscious of it. Children can be cruel at times and we should all try and teach our kids to accept others differences and teach them about what really matters. Ps, your son is gorgeous x
#DreamTeam
He looks so cute! I am sure he will grow up to love it as it is what makes him unique! #DreamTeam
I hope he will. I definitely love it. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Birthmark or not he is still super cute I have a large birthmark on my upper neck/face I think you just get used to it thanks for hosting #drramteam
My daughter has a bright red strawberry birth mark on the back of her leg. I told her that her got it before she was born when mummy’s tummy gave her a kiss. She’s very proud of it now! The other kids at school have asked her about it and she’s just given them the same answer.
She is 6yo and it is beginning to fade. We’ve been told that it may fade almost completely so we’ll see what happens.
It’s normal to worry about how our kids will be perceived but I hope that you can take comfort from all of the positive experiences expressed in the comments. #dreamteam
What a lovely post. I like these little marks-they ad character to already beautiful features.
#DreamTeam
Hi, I wouldn’t have noticed the birth mark until you pointed it out. Our birth marks are part of what makes us unique and becomes part of our character #dreamteam
I think birthmarks make a person individual – they are beautiful, even if not to the beholder of it. #DreamTeam
Oh I love the defining features that make us all different. It would be so boring if we were all the same. I love how you mention that it’s a good way of handling other people’s little marks and quirks – a wonderful trait. I’m hoping, like you, that it doesn’t fade completely! Beautiful photos too #DreamTeam
Oh, bless him. He’s adorable. I think it adds character. The girls will dig it if it doesn’t fade as he grows up. Kids will always find something to be cruel about, but he should love what makes him unique. #DreamTeam
Haha! Not sure I want the girls to dig it!! 😉 Thank you for your kind words and thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Lovely post. My daughter had a red mark on her forehead when she was born. It has faded now but people used to comment on that a lot. I barely noticed it. She’s beautiful with or without it #DreamTeam
This is a lovely post. I always think it’s nice to have a distinguishing feature!! The irony of it now fading after all your worry is not lost though !!! #DreamTeam
Haha! Well it’s come back a bit with the summer sun. Which I’m kinda pleased about…! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Beautifully written, fab idea to talk about and share and what a gorgeous boy! X #dreamteam
He is adorable. His newborn pics make me want juuuuuust one more 😉
#dreamteam
I have 3 birthmarks, the most obvious being on my leg about 8cm across. I have written about it on my blog because it is just part of me but I was once teased. Matthew was born with a very slight birthmark on his eyelid which is most obvious when he is tired but most of the time is not noticeable #dreamteam
Ah I’m sorry to hear that you were teased for it. I hope Baby Lighty doesn’t go through similar, especially as his is on his face. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
It’s normal to worry about children especially if they are different in a little way. His birthmark adds character to his sweet little face and you have nothing to worry about x popping over from #DreamTeam
Ah I hope you are right. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Aw… I had this awful stork bite between my eyes, it still comes up as red when I cry! And I’ve got a mole beneath my left eye but my always referred to it as a beauty spot and its never bothered me too much. #dreamteam
I often refer to Baby Lighty’s as his beauty spot. I honestly love quirks like that and I hope he will do too. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I have loads of moles and I’ve always felt a bit self conscious and my 2 year old is starting to get more and more, but like you say, we are all different, and it’s great to be unique. xx #DreamTeam
Baby Lighty also has a fair few other moles. I worry about them but I’m sure it will all be fine. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Some people can be so mean sadly. There’s nothing wrong with having a birthmark. #DreamTeam
Thank you. And thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
#dreamteam I really don’t like humanity – stop judging the weak, the young and fricking babies! He is gorgeous and of course you know this 🙂
Thank you so much. Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I didn’t even realise you can be born without a birthmark and it develop over time! Ben has a strawberry kiss at the bottom of his skull which initially we though was because of the trauma at birth, but its still there and not fading or getting any bigger.
Even with these extra “imperfections” they’re both as handsome as ever and we’re lucky ladies to have such adorable little boys in our lives! #Dreamteam
Very true. No I didn’t know that they could develop over time either! I can quite clearly remember telling the health visitor at his ten day check that he had a slight freckle under one eye and should I worry about it?!! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
Like many commenters, I also hadn’t noticed until I read this – it’s just part of him and he’s gorgeous! It’s crazy how some people just really don’t think before they speak; it reminds me of the sort of thing my mum would say unfortunately! #dreamteam
I’m always surprised (in a good way) when people say they wouldn’t have noticed it! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
He is just so perfect Nic, and his birthmark all just adds to his gorgeousness. I’ve seen lots of pictures of Little Lighty over the two years I’ve followed you and I can honestly say that I’ve never picked up on it until you mentioned. Mstr Tot has one on his leg, and I too just love that it’s something so unique to him. How fascinating that it could be linked to your pregnancy mask? It’s like a little momento of that special bond you two have. Beautiful xx
I know, I kind of love that it’s linked to my pregnancy mask, and it has also made me accept the pigment changes to my own face, as if I can’t love my own face with these marks, how can I expect him to love his?! Thanks so much for choosing my post as your #DreamTeam host post this week xxx
I remember reading this first time round Nic, and it really stuck. We all have our little quirks and that’s what makes us special. Baby Lighty is the cutest, most adorable little one ever. #DreamTeam xx
Ah thank you so much for your kind words lovely! xxx
I’ve never even noticed it before! My son has one on his bum cheek, it came up after about 3 weeks, it seems to have got darker over time. I love it though, it’s part of him and it’s really cute! #dreamteam
Ah cute place to have one! It’s weird how they’re not always born with them, isn’t it? Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I genuinely would not have noticed it had you not pointed it out! My children are always covered in scrapes and bruises and I would have assumed it was the same! People can be so cruel, it’s heartbreaking at times, but he is utterly adorable and I’m sure that he will grow to accept that it’s simply what makes him special! #dreamteam
I’m always surprised (in a good way) when people say they haven’t noticed it! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I had never noticed. My son has one between his eyes which gets darker when he’s upset. I had a large strawberry one on my back which has now faded #dreamteam
It’s funny how some birthmarks react to stress, isn’t it? Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I was born with a bright red V shape on my forehead between my eyes. My mom says she never noticed it until someone pointed it out. It faded after a few days but still flares up when I ‘ugly-cry’ … and my eldest has a very similar thing. It’s part of us. Nothing to be ashamed of. Something to be embraced.
#dreamteam
It’s funny how some birthmarks react to stress, isn’t it? I love that your Mum didn’t notice! Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.
I love his birthmark, it is part of him. My son actually has a Mongolian Blue Spot covering both his butt cheeks. It’s a birth mark, but it looks like a bruise. It had to be written in medical records so nobody thinks I’ve been beating him! My other son has a small one and we have matching real birth marks on our legs. I think these little ‘imperfections’ make our little ones perfect 🙂 #DreamTeam
Oh I’ve never heard of that type of birthmark! They’re fascinating aren’t they? Thank you so much for linking up to #DreamTeam.