Third nipple

[philopastry]

Hi, this is a genuine one, although I know everyone finds the idea of having a third nipple hilarious.
My DS2 is 3 1/2 years old and was born with a third nipple - it is on his chest under one of his 'normal' nipples and it is pretty obvious what it is.
He is not in the least bothered by it now but I am aware he is going to get a lot of teasing when he is older and at school. My Dh doesn't really think it matters, says DS has great sense of humour (he does) and will able able to carry it off. I am not sure. Would hate him to get picked on.

I did ask the GP about having it removed when he was much younger but he said it is quite a big op - they have to remove any breast tissue behind the nipple too, and they would not do it until he is older.

Anyone else's children had similar? What did you do? If it was removed at what age?
If you have one yourself (and are happy to admit to it) am I making too much of this? I dont want DS to be put through a general anaesthetic because I am being overly senstive.

My DH has one, and so does his sister.

They are both much smaller than real nipples and tbh I don't even notice it.

I've just asked DH and he said he has never ever been teased for it in 41 years of life ... and this is the first time he's thought about it in 20 odd years !!!

I think you might be feeling a bit sensitive over this for no real reason... but I know exactly how you are feeling as my DS was born with a strange ear that would need an operation to make it look 'normal'.

I ummed and ahhed about his ear but have never thought seriously about the surgical approach. He's happy at 9 with it... nobody gives him a second look.

My advice would be to leave well alone.

I have one, I was only told by a GP that was what it was when I was 35 as it changed when I was pg! I had always assumed it was some sort of mole, even though I have no others. Honestly, I never give it a thought, you can see it if I wear a low neck, but all my friends also thought it was a mole (that's what they told me anyway!) Personally I wouldn't get one removed from a child unless they had real issues with it when they get older.

Btw if the subject comes up (usually when wine is involved) people often want to see it but I have never been teased!

my dh has a tiny one

one of my 6 dc has a tiny tiny fold

unless you were looking you would not know

vive la difference!

Thank you all - I know that they are pretty common, am probably worrying needlessly, but DS's is quite obviously a nipple, not just a fold. Am thinking about when he hits the beach etc. And teenagers can be really horrible to each other. It was actually my nephew's reaction (age 13) that worried me - 'Oh... My... God he is going to get such a hard time for that at school!' Gleeful laugh. But your comments are reassuring. Seems like my DH is right - its no big deal.

I have one on the bottom of my left boob - it just looks like a big mole. Didn't even realise what it was until I went to an LLL workshop where there was a presentation about breast development, and suddenly had a light-bulb moment LOL. I think if you are honest and open with your DS about what it is, why he has it etc then he shouldn't have a problem. Yes kids can be cruel & are quick to point out differences, but if he is confident and happy about his uniqueness then it probably won't bother him.

philo dhs is much more obvious but has still caused him no bother at all

Also have one, and it's quite obvious what it is. Have never been teased, ever.

My younger bro has one; we were always very jealous as it meant he was a witch and we thought he would be able to do magic very easily, if he cared to (he didn't care to)

only worry if you find the cat suckling. I had an ex who had one. He was never teased - even at a boys boarding school where kids can be really harsh.

at finding the cat suckling!
You have all put my mind at rest, esp. re the no teasing at a boys boarding school, thanks everyone, my Ds has escaped the knife - hurray!