Newborn red blister on lip

[Catarinah]

I'm just looking for some reassurance really. My 8 week old has a sucking lip blister that's been there over 4 weeks now. It started when I started using nipple shields due to bfeeding pain (he had a tongue tie which was snipped at 4 weeks). I am still alternating between using and not using the shields as its still not pain free. I have seen 2 GP's, a breastfeeding mentor, 2 health visitors and a lactation consultant regarding this blister and they've all said the same "I haven't seen one like that before but it'll just go". But I'm really concerned about it, it's swollen and red. He doesn't seem bothered by it in the slightest and all I'm putting lanolin on his lip but I can't help but worry. He and I have been tested for thrush and it was negative, and it's not a cold sore either. Anyone else had this? Any tips?

Congratulations on your little one!
I haven’t any personal experience of this but I do work in Dermatology. Are the medical professionals sure that it is a blister from feeding? It’s not very easy to tell from the photo, but it could be a small harmless haemangioma (a type of birthmark caused by blood vessels, that usually appear a few weeks after birth). If it doesnt resolve I would ask for the GP to review and maybe a Dermatology referral. Please don’t worry though, it won’t cause your little one any harm and if that is what it is, they go away on there own.

@MLP123 I don't think any of the professionals I've seen were sure because they said they hadn't seen one like it before which naturally makes me worry more

@MLP123 if it is a birth mark how long would it take it to go away?

Hi @Catarinah please don’t worry, if it is haemangioma then it is not harmful and will shrink and go away on its own. They usually get bigger a few weeks after birth and then start to shrink. The time they are there for varies from person to person. If it is causing problems with feeding etc by being on the lip they can treat them but usually tend to leave them alone if not problematic. Ask your GP for a dermatology referral if it doesn’t go. Good luck x

Yes that would be caused by nipple shields. It’s one of the reasons why I was encouraged not to use them because unlike the blisters babies with tongue ties get from the breast, these tend not to heal (as the nipple shield is always in a slightly different position). I would try and feed without them as much as possible - read Kelly Moms or La Lech League to get specialist tongue tie positions. I found feeding my breast to DC like a sandwich helped with the pain.

Hi both, took him back to gp yesterday and he said its a Haemangioma so made a referral to paediatrician but said it can take up to 16 weeks so I'm enquiring to get him seen privately as I've read they can be given propanalol to help shrink it... And seeing as it's on his lip I don't want to wait as it could start to integer with feeding/breathing. I'm worried sick after googling and saw images of babies with huge ones on their lips

My DD had a heamangioma on her face- hers was higher, it's between her nose and mouth. Because hers wasn't an obstruction in anyway, it was left- and told mostly likely disappear by the time she was two. I'm guessing they will intervene for your baby though. (As she got bigger, it got less red, and stayed the same size, she actually still has it at nearly nine by its practically flesh coloured and only slightly raised- her scar collection from various falls is more prominent!)

Not to scare you, but be aware they can bleed a lot if injured.

I hope so, I'm worried sick :(

Catarinah did you ever find out what the blister was? My 12 week old has one that looks like your picture.