Why are black babies born white and when do they get darker?

Black babies are often born with lighter skin due to the presence of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, which may not fully develop until later. This lighter appearance is influenced by factors such as genetics and the amount of melanin produced in the skin. Over the first few months of life, as melanin production increases in response to environmental factors like sunlight, many black babies’ skin tones typically darken to their eventual, more permanent shade. This process can vary widely among individuals.