Is this normal or a sign of infection? 1 year old daughter has a smell from her vagina

[AnOddQuestion]

Odd question I know, but I'm worrying she may have got an infection, but also would feel a bit of an idiot if I took her to the doctors to find out it's normal...

... so Mumsnet to the rescue please!

It's not an overpowering smell, one I would consider normal for a grown up woman but fainter - but she's not grown up and for some reason I wouldn't expect a smell!

I smell it mainly when she's been scratching herself then the smell is on her fingers - and the scratching is also why I'm a bit worried it might be an infection... except she also has eczema around the labia and thighs which might be causing the scratching - or it might be just because she likes to scratch! I have her nappy off a lot because of the eczema as welll...

Hello AnOddQuestion

I was worried about this also as I noticed it in my 4 year old DD. It's like a mild version of an adult smell. I did some research myself and it's quite normal. I also asked my close friend who has a DD and she said that her daughter has it too. Even though that part of the body isn't due to 'mature' for many more years, it still has various bacteria down though and little girls of any age can catch thrush. If she is itching, it's most likely thrush, which is very common. You might be able to see some thick, white discharge. Little girls can also get mild infections from bubble baths and soaps causing an imbalance in bacteria, this can cause soreness and a bit of discharge. The best remedy for that is limiting the amout of soap in the bath or just sticking to water. For thrush you can get medicine if it's really bad, but for very mild thrush just more fresh air to those parts can help. It might just be that she is exploring that area which she might want to at that age. I hope that reassures you! I'm very neurotic and did a tonne of research when I noticed my DD had a mild 'female' smell and I really think it's fine. x x

Phew! Thank you for answering! :)

All my questions answered and I can go back to by regular name now...

I'm so pleased to reassure you. It's horrible to worry x x