There are many things in a baby’s physical growth that make parents amazed. However, there are also some things that sometimes make them worry. One of them is when a baby girl’s breasts enlarge in the early days of her birth.
Is it a sign of a serious problem with the baby’s health, especially in the chest area? Or, is this one of the normal physical growths experienced by babies of his age? Here’s an expert explanation, reported from several health pages, Mom.
Is it normal for a baby girl’s breasts to enlarge?
Both boys and girls have breast tissue. The development of this breast tissue (called breast buds) first appears soon after birth and lasts for several weeks, which is prominent due to the effects of the mother’s estrogen hormone and will become breast tissue in adults later.
These first breast buds are usually described as a swelling under the nipple in the form of a light lump. This ‘sight’ can be unusual, especially for new mothers, and can often cause concern.
In fact, this condition is very normal for newborns, both male and female babies. It usually subsides within a few days, but some last for weeks or months. Then later , when the hormone exposure is no longer there, the breast tissue will begin to shrink and eventually become very flat.
This breast tissue, in girls, will develop again at the beginning of puberty . However, in some girls, the timing of breast development during puberty varies greatly. In other words, some before entering adolescence, some long after entering adolescence.
Causes of Enlarged Breasts in Baby Girls
Reporting from the pageParenting Firstcry,Some reasons why baby girls’ breasts enlarge are as follows:
1. Chemical Changes
Sometimes the baby is able to absorb some chemicals that may be present in the mother’s bloodstream. However, after the baby is born, the supply of chemicals to the baby’s blood may stop and cause certain hormonal changes that then cause breast lumps in babies.
2. Hormonal Changes
Swelling may occur in babies because the mother’s hormones re-enter the baby’s bloodstream before the baby is born. Pregnant women experience many hormonal changes during their pregnancy. These hormones sometimes also affect their babies, one of which is causing swollen nipples in babies.
3. Changes in the Mother’s Body
As the estimated due date (EDD) approaches , the mother’s breasts begin to adjust to be ready to breastfeed after the baby is born. This change can also affect the baby who is still in the womb. There are even some whose breasts also produce milk after birth – known aswitch’s milk.
Yes, there are some babies whose breasts also produce milk-like fluids. Still, you should ignore it because this will also disappear spontaneously, so you don’t need to worry. Keep caring for your baby as usual.
How to Treat Breast Swelling in Babies
Every time you see something unusual in your baby, it doesn’t mean that your baby has some serious problems. However, some parents worry when their baby girl’s breasts get bigger, by trying to touch or even pressing and pinching their baby’s breasts.
It can actually cause irritation in the area, a serious problem that then comes because it is caused by you. Just leave it like that, Mom, your little one’s breasts will shrink on their own.
Quoting the page WebMD ,Here are some tips for dealing with your worries:
- Refrain from touching your baby girl’s engorged breasts. If you want to clean the area, do it gently and do not massage it at all as it can cause infection.
- Many parents may be tempted to pinch their baby’s engorged breasts, thinking it will help reduce the swelling. Again, this will only increase the swelling and cause irritation to the baby’s very sensitive skin.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
Most likely the swelling in the baby’s breasts will disappear in the second month, so practice your patience not to fiddle with the area, okay, Mom. What you need to do is pay attention to any signs of infection that may occur.
Signs that a baby girl’s breasts are enlarged and infected are:
- Experiencing swelling for days in one or both breasts
- Red breast area
- It feels very painful when pressed (the baby winces or cries because of the pain)
- Discharge of fluid
- Fever
- The swelling did not subside and continued to increase in the following months.
Immediately consult a doctor if your little one’s breasts show the signs above.
Other Problems with Baby’s Breasts
Here are some problems or abnormalities that have been found in babies’ breasts, according to the pageHealthy Children.
1. Extra Nipples
One of the most common breast abnormalities is an extra nipple (also called a polyp nipple).supernumerary nipples) which are usually found in the armpits or on the abdomen in both boys and girls. The extra tissue is calledpolythelia. This nipple can be removed when the child is older and feels disturbed by its presence.
2. Gynecomastia
Gynecomastiais the presence of more breast tissue in boys and causes them to appear large and mound-like. Gynecomastia can range from prominent breast buds that do not go away to ‘feminine’ breasts with mounds and round nipples.
Half of all teenage boys will have soft, raised tissue in the nipple area during puberty. In most cases, this tissue will shrink in size after 2-3 years. However, some do not, and if the boy later becomes bothered by the presence of his breasts, he can consider having the tissue surgically removed.
3. Macromastia
Macromastiais a term used to describe a woman’s breasts that are disproportionately large compared to the rest of her body or her age. These large breasts can cause a teenage girl not only emotional distress, but also physical distress.
For example, large breasts can be associated with upper back pain, tingling in the arms, and skin irritation. Socially, the child may also limit herself in athletic activities. Initial treatment is with physical therapy, skin care, proper bra fitting, and pain medication as needed.
4. Asymmetrical Breasts
Up to 25 percent of adolescents have asymmetrical breasts, and many women reach adulthood with one breast larger than the other. This is usually due to the different formation processes that cause them to grow differently.
When a benign mass (called a fibroadenoma) is present in the (larger) breast, the child can have the tissue surgically removed as an adult.
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Thus, Mom, the explanation about baby girl’s breasts getting bigger. Remember that this condition is very normal. If you find any abnormality during the process of breast tissue growth, you can immediately check it with a pediatrician.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
