help, my 7 week old DD

[maybebaby23]

You may think im being a bit OTT about this but im seriously panicking. I just found a little lump behind DD's ear. just a small hard lump that moves under my finger. Its just where her hairline starts behind her ear. Never noticed it before and she is doing well, gaining weight really well etc.

I want to google. But i know i shouldn't. I have health anxiety and i lost my dad to cancer 16 months ago. I lost loads of weight and even some of my hair because of the worry about him!! So here i am, shaking, sick and crying my eyes out. DD1 is on her way home from grandmas and i have to pull myself together. Tell me it will be ok

Please, does anyone know what it could be. DH offering to take her to A+E because im going to make myself ill with worry. I dont want her to have to go to A+E though..help

I expect it is just one of those fatty lumps - I have one myself behind my ear. Mine moves around too. My sister has got loads of them.

Well done for not googling, it never IS a good idea.

I know how hard it is not to panic, but you must try. Sounds completely harmless and normal to me - I have had mine since birth too.

Get a doctor's appointment first thing on Monday for your own peace of mind. More than likely everything is fine. But A&E doesn't sound like much of a plan if she is otherwise well. If really worried, call NHS Direct for reassurance. I doubt very much they will suggest A&E. And sorry about your dad. I know how these things can make you worry unnecessarily.

Hi, please try not to worry. It could be caused by a variety of minor reasons. A gland could be up, fighting off a minor bug eg, a cold or it could be a little benign cyst or blocked pores. If a baby is gaining weight and doing well then it is very unlikely to be anything serious. A baby with a serious illness would not be thriving like this. As she is well tonight no temp etc then I personally wouldnt take her to A&E tonight - long wait and a variety of germs in the waiting area. Go and see your GP monday morning and im sure they will say nothing serious - my 2 little ones have the exact same things - like little peas behind their ears and along the neck when they have colds!! Give it a week and it will more than likely be gone.. Obviously if she goes downhill before monday take her straight in -eg, temp, irritable etc.. Try not to worry x

It is likely to be cartilage or a lymph node. It is extremely unlikely to be anything 'serious'. And going to A and E on a fri night with a new born is not going to help anyone- least of all you or her. I can understand your anxiety esp after your recent bereavement but it will be fine. She will be fine. you are right that you do need to calm down, for the sake of your DD1 and for yourself.
If the lump is still there on Monday then see the GP, who - if necessary - can refer on. A+E will not do this (and will almost certainly refer you back to your GP) and their training is not targeted to these sort of problems. As you said, she is healthy. Try to calm down and remember that babies get all sorts of odd lumps/bumps and rashes - will usually all go away. But as I said, if it does not go by MOnday see your GP. It really will be ok.

IT WILL BE OK.

Don't take her to A&E but do take her to the GP next week to reassure yourself.

I have never heard of 'cancer of the hairline' but fatty lumps and little benign cysts are common.

My boy has similiar in his neck. We can wiggle it. It's a gland. I panicked when I first noticed it but my friend said her daughter has the same which I checked out ! ( and she took her daughter to the Dr to get it checked as my mate had Leukemia as a child and for obvious reasons she and her daughter live at the surgery).

See your Dr next week for peace of mind but don't waste your weekend in panic.

Thankyou all so much, im a tad about my panic now! I just needed to think of something else apart from cancer and so will focus on the fatty lump/swollen gland/lymph node issue instead. Will see GP next week. DH bless him didn't know what else to suggest but A+E because of the state i am/was in. I decided to post here instead. Thankyou for calming me, i managed to read DD's story and put her to bed Shall go cuddle my baby girl now and repeat to myself what else it could be rather than the worst case...thankyou all x