Spot a pink or pale red patch on your newborn's face or the nape of her neck? She likely has a stork bite (sometimes also called an angel's kiss), or what doctors refer to as nevus simplex. These birthmarks are common in babies — and completely harmless. Here's where they come from and what you need to know.
What is a stork bite?
Stork bites, sometimes also called a salmon patch or angel's kiss, are common newborn birthmarks typically marked by a red or pink color and smooth, flat texture.
Up to 80 percent of babies are born with nevus simplex, though they're significantly more likely to affect white babies compared to babies with darker skin.[1] It's also possible for a stork bite to pop up during your little one's first few months of life.
Often, stork bites get redder when a baby cries or exerts herself. So you might be more likely to notice your sweetie's spot when she's fussy or uncomfortable.
Where do stork bites usually appear?
Nevus simplex most commonly shows up around the nape of your baby's neck — where the proverbial stork might have "carried" your little bundle. But they can also appear around the eyelids, forehead, under the nose or on top of the head. Stork bites sometimes occur on the lower back, too.
What causes stork bite birthmarks?
Stork bites can develop when clusters of blood vessels dilate, causing increased blood flow. And while the thin, delicate nature of newborn skin makes these dilations easy to spot, they're completely harmless.
Do stork bites disappear?
Chances are, your sweetie's stork bite won't be around forever. The vast majority of stork bites that occur on the face fade away in early toddlerhood, around 18 months.[2]
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Nevus simplex that appears on the back of the neck is more likely to stick around, maybe permanently. But they don't tend to be super noticeable — so just think of it as a secret little spot that's great for sneaking kisses.
When to speak to your baby’s doctor about stork bites
Stork bites are a pretty typical part of babyhood, especially for fair-skinned infants. There's usually no need to bring it up, since the marks are generally harmless and tend to fade away as your bundle gets bigger.
Most likely your baby's pediatrician will notice a nevus simplex mark during a well visit or checkup, but if it seems especially large or is in an unusual spot, it's worth making sure the spot gets brought to the doc's attention.
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