What Causes Breast Buds in Babies?

Breast buds are always normal in newborns.

The environment provided to the baby while in the womb is crucial. It determines the growth and development of the baby in utero, as well as after the baby is born. What the mother consumes (including the medications) can affect the baby. Thus, the mother must eat right and avoid exposure to harmful substances includingsmokingandalcoholduringpregnancy. Evenstressandanxietycan affect the growing baby. For example, maternalstresscan cause excessive secretion of certain hormones, especially steroid hormones, which can have a long-term effect on the baby’s health. Hormones are chemical messengers through which the activity of various cells and tissues is regulated. The baby also communicates its nutritional needs to the mother through hormones. Though many substances, including hormones, have a temporary effect on the baby, some chemicals may have a lasting effect on the baby’s growth and development.

当在子宫内,babiesare exposed to various substances, including the hormones from the mother’s blood. One such hormone is estrogen. Its levels increase duringpregnancy, causing breast enlargement in thepregnantwoman. The estrogen in the mother’s blood can reach the baby through the placenta, causing the development of breast buds. Breast buds are small disc-shaped lumps felt under the乳头andareola(a small circular dark area surrounding the nipple).

There may also be some clear or milky discharge from the breast buds. This is also called the witch's milk. The discharge generally goes away within 2 weeks of birth.

After the baby is born, the blood levels of estrogen (from the mother) fall, which gradually causes the breast buds to go away. Generally, breast buds go away by the time the baby is 1 week to 6 months of age. In some babies, however, the breast buds may last longer.

Do not massage or squeeze the baby’s breasts because it can cause skin irritation or infection. Contact the doctor under the following circumstances:

• The baby develops afever.
• There is redness or the presence of red streaks on the breasts.
• Thebreast swellinglasts longer than 6 months.
• There is bloody or foul-smelling discharge from the nipples.
• The baby is lethargic.
• The baby doesn't take proper feeds.
• The milk discharge lasts over 2 months in the baby.
• The breast buds last beyond 6 months of age.

Estrogen may also cause certain temporary changes in anewborngirl’s vagina. These include the following:

• Physiologic leukorrhea: It refers to the discharge of white fluid from the newborn baby’s vagina.
• Puffy labia: The labia are the fleshy tissue folds surrounding the vagina. They may become puffy because of estrogen exposure.
• Bleeding through the vagina: Some newborn girls may have a small amount of bleeding through the vagina.

These changes are temporary and generally, go away by the time the baby is 2 months of age.