Baby girls genitals...

[Rosalie49]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this so apologies if not.

I feel so stupid asking this question since I am a woman myself and I have a vagina myself but here goes anyway...

I was just changing my 6 week old dd’s nappy and normally when I clean I just wipe from front to back and that’s it - that’s all I do with my own and I’ve never had any problems. Anyway, today as I opened her labia to clean I noticed what looks to me like a build up of stuff. It was in the labia minora, either side and it was really tucked in at the top if that makes sense (I’ll add a photo). I tried to clean it but struggled to get it off, I got a cotton bud, dipped it in water and tried to use that (being gentle of course) it was still tricky but came off a little easier. All the while I was doing this my little girl didn’t seem very happy and was crying - I was worried it was hurting her and so stopped. I feel like the worst mum in the world and as I say, feel so embarrassed since this is the one thing I should bloody know!

It was white in colour and the only was I can describe the look of it was like a ear wax consistency and look. It wasn’t bright yellow though, more off-white.

Is this normal? Should I be worried? I don’t know if she was upset because it was hurting or she just wasn’t used to being cleaned there and perhaps being a little mardy? I mean, should I be cleaning their?

She has been more whingy today than normal which doesn’t help but I’m just really not sure what to do.

It’s completely normal at that age. My girl had it too as a newborn. My health visitor advised to leave it alone rather than try to clean it off. Eventually it goes away.

You aren't supposed to poke around there, just wipe as before.

Thank you @Esiotrot87 you’ve made me feel so much better! I was frantically googling but was unable to find anything (probably because I couldn’t explain properly the area I meant). You’ve definitely put my mind at rest. I’ll leave it be x

Leave it alone and wipe front to back. You should have a midwife number in your red book call and ask or speak to gp.

I didn’t know @chickenyhead I will do from now. Thank you

It could also be a build up of nappy cream if you have had to use it.
I've noticed it on my little girl occasionally when we have been using sudocrem.

@Raffathebear my gp actually rang this morning for my 6 week check over the phone funnily enough but I hadn’t noticed it then. I might ring my midwife/gp tomorrow just for extra reassurance

@strawberry2017 I did think that but I don’t put nappy cream there, ever. Only on her bum. Could it still have made its way up there? My main worry is leaving stuff to collect and then it causing an infection as a result. If it was nappy cream, could it hurt her if left?

Sounds like vernix.

@Selfsettling3 I thought that too! Is vernix still around at 6 weeks?

Totally normal don't worry. Don't clean in there just wipe front to back that's all you need to do

We haven't had that issue but my eldest had a sacrel dimple. Took me, Drs and midwifes 2 months to notice it... and it's relatively prominent (but totally fine)!

In places that don’t have much friction like under arms it can stay for a while.

@Tonz thank you

@Selfsettling3 Ok, thank you

I have 2 girls and I remember freaking out with my oldest about the same thing, my mum had to calm me down.

My DD had that, I thought it was vernix that hadn't worn off because it was in a shelter area. It goes by itself eventually.

My DD had that too. I had forgotten about that. I didn't know what it was back then either but think I asked someone at the time. It's definitely normal and you don't need to worry about it or do anything differently.

I've only ever wiped front to back with my DD and she's now one years old id be frightened of hurting her if I tried poking around the insides I would say just carry on as you have previously and any concerns always speak to your health visitor or GP