Baby has very white toes - photo attached

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Over the last 6 weeks or so I have noticed that my baby’s toes have been very white. I’ve noticed this around 3 times. The first time I wondered if his feet were cold, the second time I wondered if his socks were too tight at his ankles and cutting off circulation but now it doesn’t seem there is a reason behind it.

The only info I can find online is that it might be Reynauds. I will of course call the GP in the morning but I’m wondering if anyone has experienced this with their baby and what it might be? He’s only 4 months old

It does look like Raynaud’s. Having said that. Raynaud’s is very unusual in young children so the GP should investigate if there are any other underlying conditions affecting his circulation.

Thank you, I’m worried about it being an underlying condition. Do you know which underlying conditions may affect a babies circulation?

Small babies' autonomic control of the blood vessels controlling circulation to the skin is often a little wacky for the first few weeks/months. If you Google "harlequin colour change" you will find lots of images of the most extreme form of this phenomenon, which is in and of itself harmless.

However, I think it would good diligence to ask the GP (who may feel confident or may refer to a paediatrician depending on their own experience) to do a check up including heart sounds, 4 limb blood pressures and pulses in the groin.

You shouldn't be expected to swallow your doubts when it comes to your baby - any good professional will want to thoroughly check baby is okay and reassure you properly. Most consider "well" babies to be a perk of the job.

Thank you for your reassuring response. I’ll look that up now! I should add that baby was born 5 weeks early, I’m wondering if that may also affect his blood vessels?

I have to say, I’ve taken him to the GP once and A&E twice (for unrelated matters) and they’ve always been delighted to see him. I’ve never been made to feel guilty for going which is great

My eldest had toes like this. She had a tricky start to life - she had sepsis when she was born and was on a very low centile for quite a while (0.4th), so she had lots of medical things going on and noone ever flagged it. I noticed it disappeared once we started weaning and she started to chunk up a bit. Noone could ever tell me what it was (also wondered about Reynauds as it is in DH's family) but noone seemed overly worried and now presume it was just rubbish circulation at the time. Hopefully it's nothing serious but I think definitely no harm in checking with the GP.

I think its sort of normal. They often have cold hand and feet for the first few months even when a very good temperature or layered up. Their circulation isn't fully developed. But if youre worried the mention it at the next round of vax/ hv apts or see gp

Thank you @CrispAppleStrudels I’m glad it was nothing to worry about for you especially given Reynauds runs in the family. DS was born 5 weeks early and was only 5lbs however he is now 50th centile. Will call the GP in the morning and hopefully it’s nothing to worry about!

On looking at this I remember the very white toes! I had two very thin newborn babies and they both had spooky-pale toes. I just assumed it was normal and DD in particular has stayed very thin and still has lily-white tootsies. I'd echo PPs who say if you're wondering just go to the doctor, they're about 100% more engaged about care of babies than they are about any other age group IME

Hiya. My baby also has this - did you get any answers? Thank you!

Hello! He was referred to neurology for something unrelated and we asked the consultant to have a look at them. He said it was nothing at all to worry about and now at 16 months I realise I’ve not seen him with white toes for absolutely ages!

Id definitely speak to your GP if it’s something you’re worried about though

@toriistrying also, just remembered that the GP did think it was reynauds but the consultant said it wasn’t. He said the blood vessels in his feet just weren’t matured enough yet (from memory!)