Care Advice
Normal Breast Buds in a Newborn
What You Should Know:
- Breast buds are always normal in newborns.
- Swollen breasts are present during the first week of life in many girl and boy babies. The nipple area is always firm.
- Cause: the passage of the mother's hormones across the placenta.
- Normal course: swollen breasts can last for 2 to 4 weeks. In breast-fed babies, some breast swelling can last for 6 months.
- Caution: never squeeze or massage the breast or nipple. Reason: this can cause a serious infection that needs antibiotics.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Redness or red streaks occur
- Fever occurs
- Swelling lasts more than 6 months
- You think your child needs to be seen
Normal Milky Discharge from Nipples in a Newborn
What You Should Know:
- Swollen breasts are present during the first week of life in many girl and boy babies. The nipple area is always firm.
- Cause: the passage of the mother's hormones across the placenta.
- Newborn milk: sometimes, the nipples leak a few drops of milkish discharge. This is normal and can last a few weeks. Rarely lasts longer.
- Normal course: swollen breasts can last for 2 to 4 weeks. In breast-fed babies, some breast swelling can last for 6 months.
- Caution: never squeeze or massage the breast or nipple. Reason: this can cause a serious infection that needs antibiotics.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Redness or red streaks occur
- Fever occurs
- Milk leakage lasts more than 2 months
- You think your child needs to be seen
Normal Breast Buds with Onset of Puberty (age 8 or older)
What You Should Know:
- Breast buds are normal, small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple.
- Age: they normally occur in 8 to 12 year old girls. They are the first sign of puberty. Sometimes, they are even normal in 7 year olds.
- Importance: the entire breast develops from the breast bud, taking 2 or 3 years to completion.
- The first menstrual period (menarche) usually occurs 2 years after breast buds appear.
- Symptoms: breast buds can be somewhat tender. This is normal.
- Risks: none. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.
- Breast development is considered delayed if it has not started by age 13.
- Have your child's doctor check the breast bud at the next regular office visit.
Call Your Doctor If:
- No breast buds or breast development by age 13
- You have other questions or concerns
- You think your child needs to be seen
Breast Bud Only on One Side
What You Should Know:
- Breast buds often start on 1 side first.
- Breast tissue may even appear on that side. This can happen before you can feel a breast bud on the other side.
- Most often, the breast bud will appear on the other side within 3 months.
- The breast that has a later start will slowly catch up with the other.
- After breasts are mature, it's normal for 25% of women to have a slight difference in breast size.
- Risks: none. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.
- Have your child's doctor check the breast bud at the next regular office visit.
Call Your Doctor If:
- No breast bud on other side by 3 months
- You have other questions or concerns
- You think your child needs to be seen
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.