Parents are different, one tends to relate only to a newborn child, and then to an older baby, with a certain amount of sloppiness and irresponsibility, while others, on the contrary, surround their beloved child with excessive care and guardianship. It is the second category of mothers and fathers who are most often the first to notice corns on the lips of a newborn, and when they see this problem, they begin to look for the root causes of its appearance, as well as invent methods for eliminating the "disease". In today's article, you will learn what “milk callus” is, why it appears in a child, and whether something needs to be done with it.
Attention! Danger! Or not?
Considering once again her baby after bathing, feeding or just during his quiet sleep, the mother may find that “something” has appeared on his upper lip. Someone will see a watery blister in the very center of the sponge, someone a small hardened growth, and someone already exfoliated dried piece of skin. If the baby is not worried about this phenomenon, the neoplasm does not ooze with the sacrum, is not inflamed and does not turn red, do not worry and worry.
The corn on the lip of a newborn is a normal physiological condition that occurs in the predominant majority of infants and even has a certain medical name.
"Milk" corn
In reference books for the care of infants, this problem, which is not a problem at all, is designated as milk corn. This condition can occur in a child from the first days after birth, or maybe in a few months - it all depends on several related factors and the characteristics of the baby.
The corn on the lip of the newborn appears due to the intensive work that the baby needs to do in order to just eat. Active and frequent sucking contribute to the fact that the most delicate skin is injured and swells. The corn may even become watery, with a little coarsening over time. In contrast to the usual corns and chafing that adults experience when shoeing an uncomfortable pair of shoes or after working in the garden without gloves, “milk” corn does not bring any inconvenience to the baby. Because of her, he will not eat less, let alone give up his chest or bottle.
The problem will go away on its own, maximum by the time the feeding of the baby by the bottle or breast stops. That is, while the baby will suck a lot, the corn will be present on the lip constantly or periodically appear.
Right and wrong breasts
Doubtful mothers and compassionate grandmothers tend to twist facts and fan the problem out of thin air. Often, revealing callus on the lip of a newborn during breastfeeding, parents and their relatives believe that it arose due to improper breast structure or inability of the baby to take a nipple.
In fact, if the mother does not feel discomfort during feeding, the baby grabs the breast well and he can get enough, so there are no problems with feeding. The only nuance that is worth noting is that with the now-popular method of feeding on demand, and not by the hour, the baby is applied to his mother's "sis" quite often. If he is near the nurse for a long time (more than the prescribed 15-20 minutes), then the likelihood that “milk” callus appears on his lip significantly increases.
Will a bottle save you from corn?
This, however, does not mean that it is worth restricting the baby in sucking, moreover, pediatricians do not recommend weaning the baby or transferring to mixed feeding earlier than he turns 6 months old. The corn on the lip of a newborn with artificial feeding is as common as that of those babies who eat mom's milk.
If this problem is very worrying for the parents or the child is having some difficulties while eating, you can try changing the pacifier on the bottle. The silicone nozzle is more durable and hygienic, but traditional latex is softer and more tender to the touch, and many children like the tactile sensations after touching it.
Are we going to treat?
So, if you and your baby had to deal with such an unpleasant phenomenon as corn on the lip of a newborn, first of all, do not go into panic. In case of doubt and desire not to leave everything to chance, contact your child’s doctor, after assessing the situation, he will tell you the correct algorithm of actions.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, no treatment will be needed, but gentle moisturizing and nutrition will not hurt the delicate skin, it is best to use natural olive oil, it will soften the corn and prevent the formation of a rough and rough crust in its place.
Some doctors recommend cauterizing an antiseptic (iodine, brilliant green, furatsilin) ​​with corn on the lip of a newborn. Treatment with such means is an ambiguous and controversial method, because they are quite aggressive in their effect and can cause a burn, especially on such a delicate area of ​​the body as the lips. If the blister bursts, the best way to treat the wound is hydrogen peroxide, it will disinfect and dry the hole, without injuring the skin even more.
Do not miss the real problem
Do not forget that the mucous membrane of the mouth is one of the first barriers that various viruses and infections have to overcome on the way to the human body. Small children are a special risk group, they pull everything that comes to their hand in their mouths. It is not always possible to surround the child with perfect sterility and cleanliness, all the more so, this is not worth it, because sooner or later he will end up in completely different conditions for himself, and an unprepared immune system will not be able to cope with the siege of pathogens.
The most common problems that can occur in children of the first year of life directly in the mouth are thrush and stomatitis. The first disease is the formation of a whitish coating on the mucous membranes, in advanced cases, under it you can find small sores.
Stomatitis also has other symptoms, the mouth, and sometimes the lips, are covered with blisters filled with a whitish liquid, redness and swelling of the tissues is visualized around the bladder. The disease itself is often accompanied by high fever. It is very important not to attribute this infection to regular corns on the lips of a newborn. Photos of "milk" callus and stomatitis will help to avoid mistakes, as well as take adequate measures when the baby needs real treatment.