What Will My Baby Look Like? 7 Factors That Play a Role

Every parent wonders what or who their baby will look like. These 7 factors, from genetics to family history, can shape your child’s unique appearance.

Updated August 20, 2025

by Cheyenne Bell

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A woman with long dark hair, wearing a light-colored patterned shirt, holds a newborn baby wrapped in a white and blue blanket. She is smiling and looking at the baby, seated in what appears to be a hospital or healthcare setting, perhaps imagining what your baby will look like as they grow.

One of the most common questions an expecting mother has is what her unborn baby will look like. From the moment we realize we’re pregnant until the day our baby is in our arms, most mothers spend countless hours daydreaming about who their little ones will resemble. Most babies will look more like mom, like dad, or like a combination of the two. On the other hand, some babies come out looking like no one expected!

There are a great number of factors that go into what your unborn baby will look like. Here are some of the most common things that can influence how your baby will look when they finally make their grand debut.

7 Things That Influence Your Baby’s Appearance

While no one can predict exactly how your baby will look, these seven factors can influence their features and appearance.

1. DNA

Everyone knows DNA is what determines your baby’s appearance. But DNA is a complex subject. Everything from hair color, eye color, and sex to height and weight can be dictated by your DNA and/or your partner’s DNA.⁹ In most cases, dominant genes win the DNA fight, but now and then, a recessive gene will come out of nowhere and surprise everyone!¹

2. Alcohol

While some studies show that a tiny amount of alcohol occasionally might be okay for women during pregnancy, there is a chance that any alcohol consumption during pregnancy could result in fetal alcohol syndrome.^2,3 This syndrome can cause a developing fetus to be born with particular facial appearances, such as tiny eyes or thin lips.¹⁰ It can also affect a child’s cognitive, behavioral, and developmental abilities.^3,10,11

3. Healthy Habits

Moms who make poor exercise and food choices while pregnant may affect whether their child will be born at a healthy weight. Studies show that obese moms are more likely to give birth to babies who later also become obese.⁴ From the moment you realize you’re pregnant (and even before!), make sure you are making healthy, nutritious food choices. And don’t skip that exercise!

4. Supplements

Prenatal vitamins are essential for several reasons. But one supplement, in particular, can affect the baby’s appearance more than others. Folate is critical in helping to form your baby’s spine.⁵ A folate deficiency can result in spina bifida.¹²

5. Caffeine

Studies have shown that excessive caffeine consumption during pregnancy may affect a baby’s birth weight, producing a smaller newborn than usual at birth. Limiting your caffeine consumption to the equivalent of one cup of coffee a day or less is best.⁶

6. Traveling

Extensive airline travel can expose a pregnant mama to unhealthy levels of radiation. As you can imagine, radiation is not recommended for a developing fetus and can potentially affect your baby’s appearance. Periodic travel during pregnancy is considered safe for most women, however.⁷

7. Family History

Your family’s history can play a part in how your baby looks. Like recessive genes, some inherited genes may lie “dormant” or “skip” generations and suddenly pop up to surprise families when they least expect it!⁸

You may not know exactly what your baby will look like until the big day, but that’s part of the magic of parenthood. Whether they resemble you, your partner, or a mix of both, your baby’s unique look will be a joyful surprise. Be sure to savor every moment as they grow and change.

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A woman stands outdoors with a boy and a girl. The woman, wearing a green top and blue jeans, is holding the boy who sits on a wooden fence. The girl in a floral dress and boots stands next to the woman. Trees and foliage are about in the background.

Cheyenne Bell

Cheyenne is a former lawyer turned writer, editor, and work-from-home mom living in San Marcos, Texas, with her daughter, Aislin, and son, Hawkins. She and her kids moved to the area to begin life anew after the sudden death of her husband in 2017. Cheyenne is the owner and founder of Sense & Serendipity where she writes about topics such as motherhood, widowhood, home décor and DIY, and wellness. She loves red wine, compelling books, old homes, and antique shopping. Cheyenne has a passion for inspiring and uplifting other women, especially moms, and often uses dry wit and slightly inappropriate humor to get through tough times.

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Browse A–Z baby names and find the perfect fit for your family.

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