What causes white bubbles on a newborn's lips?

White bubbles on a newborn's lips may be caused by milk residue, angular cheilitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or infant pneumonia.

1. Milk residue

After birth, newborns need to feed. If they are adequately breastfed or formula-fed, small amounts of milk may remain at the corners of their mouth after feeding, appearing like white foam.

2. Angular cheilitis

If the mouth is infected by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses, it can lead to angular cheilitis. This condition develops rapidly and often causes white blisters on the newborn's lips, accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and congestion at the corners of the mouth.

3. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease

If hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by an enterovirus infection, numerous maculopapular rashes and vesicles may appear on the hands, feet, and mouth. Blisters may also develop around the mouth, resembling white bubbles on the lips.

4. Infant pneumonia

In some newborns with pneumonia, symptoms may not be very obvious. It often presents as white bubbles in the mouth, and may also be accompanied by rapid breathing, spitting up milk, choking during feeding, or vomiting.