Stork Bites in Newborns: Causes and Appearance

Notice a warm-toned patch on your newborn’s skin? It might be a stork bite—a common, harmless birthmark that typically fades. 

• What is it? A flat birthmark caused by dilated blood vessels beneath the skin.

• Where does it appear? Commonly on the forehead, eyelids, upper lip, or back of the neck.

• Does it go away? Most fade naturally, within 1 to 2 years.

• Is treatment needed? No treatment is usually needed.

While these marks may seem noticeable at first, they’re simply a natural part of your little one’s appearance—one that often fades as they grow. Keep reading to learn more about what causes stork bites, how they change over time, and when to consult a healthcare provider.

What Is a Stork Bite (Nevus Simplex) in Newborns?

A stork bite is a common type of birthmark that appears on newborns at birth. The medical term for a stork bite is nevus simplex, and it’s sometimes called a salmon patch birthmark or an angel kiss.  The term stork bite comes from the folklore myth that storks carry babies by the neck, leaving a mark (the birthmark) where they held the baby.

These harmless marks are caused by temporary changes in blood flow beneath the skin. They are not contagious and usually fade within the first year or two of life. If you’re wondering "What is a stork bite?" it’s simply a temporary birthmark that doesn’t require treatment and typically fades on its own.

Vascular birthmarks are common in neonates (prevalence: 20–30%) and mostly incidental findings sometimes with spontaneous regression (salmon patch and nevus simplex).

Source: Diociaiuti et al., 2021

Port Wine Stain vs. Stork Bite

A stork bite and a port wine stain may look similar at birth, but they differ in appearance, cause, and longevity.

A stork bite is a temporary birthmark caused by dilated blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. It appears as a light pink or red patch and typically fades within 1 to 2 years.

A port wine stain is a permanent birthmark caused by abnormally formed blood vessels. It shows up as a pink, light brown, or purple birthmark and may darken or thicken over time.

If you're comparing the port wine stain versus the stork bite, the key difference is that stork bites fade, while port wine stains are permanent. If you're unsure about a birthmark’s progression, consult your little one’s healthcare provider.

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What do Stork Bites or Angel Kisses Look Like on Newborns?

If you notice a purple or red spot on your infant, it may be a stork bite. Also known as an angel kiss, it has a distinct appearance that sets it apart from other birthmarks. It appears as a flat, pink to reddish-purple mark without clearly defined borders, blending into the baby’s skin tone. 

These color patches may change in intensity based on your little one’s activity or environment:

• They become more visible (turning bright red or purple) when your little one cries or gets too warm.

• They fade temporarily when light pressure is applied, such as pressing a finger against the mark and releasing it.

What Causes Stork Bites on Newborns?

If you’re wondering what causes stork bites, they develop due to blood vessel dilation during fetal development. When tiny blood vessels stretch under the skin, blood flow increases in that area, resulting in a stork bite. This process is completely painless and does not indicate any underlying medical condition.

Stork Bite Birthmark Locations

The stork bite gets its name from folklore, which suggests that a stork carries babies by the back of the neck, where these birthmarks are commonly found. While this is just a myth, stork bites are real and completely harmless.

A stork bite may be found on different areas of a newborn’s body, including:

• Stork bite on the back of the neck. The most common location is often slightly hidden by hair.

• Stork bite on the forehead. Appears in the center of the forehead or along the hairline.

• Stork bite on the eyelid. Light pink or brownish patches that may temporarily darken when the baby cries or becomes warm.

These marks are painless and harmless, typically fading over time. If you have concerns about their visibility or longevity, your little one’s healthcare provider can offer guidance.

Do Stork Bites Go Away?

If you're wondering, "Do stork bites go away?", the answer is yes—most fade over time. In most cases, stork bites fade within 12 to 24 months, but some may last into early childhood before becoming lighter. If a stork bite does not fade or appears in an atypical area, consult your little one’s healthcare provider to determine if it is a stork bite or another type of birthmark.

The vast majority of the cutaneous manifestations are transient or benign (salmon patch, nevus simplex, and stork bite) and reassuring the parents is sufficient.

Source: Diociaiuti et al., 2021

How Stork Bites Change Over Time

Many parents wonder how stork bites change over time and what they might look like as their baby grows. While each baby is different, most stork bites fade gradually, especially within the first 1 to 2 years. 

At birth, stork bites appear as a pink to reddish-purple color that stands out from your little one’s skin tone. Over time, they become less visible, often fading completely within 24 months. Some parents notice that the birthmark darkens temporarily when their child cries, gets too warm, or is irritated.

If you have concerns about the persistence or appearance of your child's birthmark, consult your little one’s healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line

Stork bites are nothing to be concerned about. Though these warm-colored patches may look prominent at birth, they typically fade over time, often disappearing within the first 1 to 2 years. This is just one more way your child will develop and change in their early years. For any concerns, don’t hesitate to ask your little one’s healthcare provider during their next health check. 

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Last Medically Reviewed:

March 11th, 2025