Lump on toddlers neck

[2020inanutshell]

Hi all.
I have recently noticed a lump on my daughters neck. She’s 21 months old and has never had this lump before.
I first noticed it about a week ago it’s right on the front of her neck just below her voice box and at first I was thinking I’m going mad and that it may be that she just has a prominent voice box and I hadn’t noticed before.
However, I have gone through my photos on my phone and it definitely was not there three weeks ago, it’s appeared very quickly. It doesn’t hurt her to touch it.
I’m going to ring the doctor tomorrow, I suppose until then I just want some advice as to what people may think this is? I’m a bit worried as my sister has noticed it as well on FaceTime and said it looks a bit suspicious!
Does anyone know what is situated in the lower front neck that may be inflamed? She has just recovered from Covid - I doubt that is relevant but it’s odd how it’s came about the same time as she’s recovered.
I feel like an erratic mum!
Thanks for reading.

If she's just recovered from covid then it's very likely to be a swollen lymph node. Extremely common for them to swell after fighting off an illness / infection. Your doing the best thing getting it checked out. Swollen glands are just a sign of fighting an infection and I would personally say it's very likely just to be this xxx

Thank you for your reply! I appreciate the response. The timing coinciding with coronavirus did make me feel that it could be related! I’m going to get her looked at for peace of mind as it’s just appeared so quickly it’s made me worry x

it’s really firm - not soft at all - do lymph nodes feel soft? X

It might also be her thyroid. Best to get it checked by the doctor on Monday morning. She will need to be seen in person, not just a telephone call

Thank you - I have a feeling they will try and fob me off because she’s not showing immediate signs of being unwell but I want her to be seen in person, as it is just bothering me and I feel it needs a professional to look at it properly

@2020inanutshell

it’s really firm - not soft at all - do lymph nodes feel soft? X

Yes they are hard, but usually painless xx

Lymph nodes are mostly on the sides of the neck, if the lump is in the middle (over the windpipe) its unlikely to be a node

Also, does it bob when she swallows?

Definitely get it checked. I had a cyst on my thyroid gland when I was 2 which presented as a visible lump at the front of my neck. Don't panic but you're not wasting their time x