The Bottom Line

Milia are tiny, white, pearly bumps that appear on the face of many newborns — up to half of all babies get them. They are completely harmless, not contagious, and not a sign of illness. They will go away on their own within 3–4 weeks without any treatment. Do not try to squeeze or pop them.

What Are Milia?

Milia (say: MIL-ee-ah) are small, firm, white or yellowish bumps about 1–2 millimeters wide — roughly the size of a pinhead. They form when tiny flakes of skin (keratin) get trapped just under the surface of the skin. Think of them as miniature, harmless cysts. They are not pimples, they are not infected, and they are not a rash.

Milia appear on roughly 40–50% of all newborns, making them one of the most common skin findings in babies. They show up most often on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. You may see them in clusters of five or more.

What Do They Look Like?

  • Tiny, round, white or pale yellow bumps
  • Firm to the touch — they do not pop easily
  • No redness or swelling around them
  • Your baby shows no signs of discomfort — milia do not itch or hurt
  • Usually clustered on the nose and cheeks, sometimes on the forehead or chin

Why Do Newborns Get Milia?

In newborns, the skin is still maturing. Milia form when the tiny hair follicles or oil glands under the skin are not fully developed yet, causing dead skin cells to get trapped and form small cysts. This is a normal part of how baby skin develops — it does not mean anything is wrong with your baby's skin or health.

Milia in newborns are called "primary milia" and are very different from milia that can form in older children or adults after skin injury or blistering conditions.

What Should I Do?

Nothing — and that is genuinely the right answer. Milia will clear up on their own as your baby's skin matures, usually within 3–4 weeks. Most are completely gone by the time a baby is 2 months old.

  • Do clean your baby's face gently with mild soap and warm water as part of normal bathing.
  • Do not squeeze, pick, or try to pop the bumps. This can break the skin, cause scarring, and introduce bacteria that could lead to infection.
  • Do not apply creams, oils, or ointments to try to speed up resolution — they will not help and may clog the skin further.

How Is Milia Different from Other Newborn Skin Conditions?

Parents sometimes worry that milia are something more serious. Here is a quick guide:

  • Neonatal acne: Appears after 3 weeks of age as red, inflamed pimples. Milia appear at birth or in the first two weeks and have no redness.
  • Erythema toxicum: A very common newborn rash with red blotches and small yellow or white pustules on a red base. Milia have no redness around them.
  • Baby heat rash (miliaria): Tiny, clear or red bumps in skin folds or covered areas caused by sweat gland blockage. Milia are firm, white, and found on the face.

If you are ever unsure about bumps on your baby's skin, your pediatrician or a dermatologist can take a quick look and give you peace of mind.

When to See a Doctor

  • The bumps turn red, become inflamed, or start draining pus
  • Your baby seems to be in pain or distress
  • The bumps do not go away after 2–3 months
  • You are unsure if what you are seeing is milia or something else

Frequently Asked Questions

Will milia leave marks on my baby's face?

No. Milia go away completely on their own without leaving any scars or marks — as long as you do not squeeze them. Squeezing can cause minor scarring, so it is important to leave them alone.

Can I put breast milk or lotion on the milia to help?

There is no evidence that breast milk, lotion, or any home remedy helps milia resolve faster. The best approach is simply to wait. Normal gentle cleansing is all that is needed.

My older child also has small white bumps on their face. Is that the same thing?

Milia can occur at any age, but in older children and adults they sometimes happen after skin trauma, blistering, or certain skin conditions. These "secondary milia" may need treatment from a dermatologist if they do not go away on their own.

Are milia contagious?

No. Milia are not caused by a virus or bacteria. They cannot spread to other people or to other parts of the body through contact.

References

  1. Paller AS, Mancini AJ. Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2016.
  2. Eichenfield LF, Frieden IJ, Zaenglein AL, Mathes E. Neonatal and Infant Dermatology. 3rd ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015.
  3. Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018.
  4. American Academy of Pediatrics. Skin conditions in newborns. HealthyChildren.org; 2023.

Trusted Resources

Always consult a board-certified dermatologist or your baby's pediatrician for a diagnosis and guidance specific to your child's skin.