Breast Symptoms-Child
Is this your child's symptom?
- Breast symptoms in a young girl before puberty
- Breast buds (the first sign of puberty in girls) are also covered
- If NOT, try one of these:
- Breast Symptoms-Teen
- Rash or Redness - Localized
- Skin Injury
Symptoms included in this guide are:
- Breast buds are the most common concern. Breast buds are small, disc-shaped lumps felt under the nipple and areola. Any lump found under the areola is a breast bud until proven otherwise.
- Breast symptoms in newborns are also covered.
- Other symptoms: breast lump, breast redness and nipple discharge.
Early Breast Development Caused by Contact with Estrogens: Prevention
- Early breast development before age 8 can be caused by estrogens in the environment. Estrogen is a type of hormone. Parents should consider these potential exposures:
- Estrogen in cosmetics, such as hair creams
- Birth control pills
- Estrogen sprays to reduce hot flashes during menopause
- Lavender oil and tea tree oil have weak estrogen in them
- Prevention: use and store these products carefully. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying.
When to Call for Breast Symptoms-Child
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
- Breast is painful to touch
- Nipple discharge that is pus (thick green or yellow) or bloody
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Red area or red lump
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Breast lump. Exception: lump right under the areola; most likely a breast bud.
- Nipple discharge. Exception: normal milky discharge in newborn.
- Newborn breast buds last more than 6 months
- Breast buds or tissue with onset before 8 years old. Exception: during the newborn period.
- Age 13 or older with no breast buds or breast tissue
- Breast tissue only on 1 side lasts more than 3 months
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Normal breast buds in a newborn
- Milky discharge from nipples in a newborn
- Normal breast buds and onset of puberty (age 8 or later)
- Breast bud or tissue only on 1 side
Care Advice for Breast Symptoms - Child
Normal Breast Buds in a Newborn
What You Should Know:
- Breast buds are always normal in newborns.
- Swollen breasts are present during the first week of life in many girl and boy babies. The nipple area is always firm.
- Cause: the passage of the mother's hormones across the placenta.
- Normal course: swollen breasts can last for 2 to 4 weeks. In breast-fed babies, some breast swelling can last for 6 months.
- Caution: never squeeze or massage the breast or nipple. Reason: this can cause a serious infection that needs antibiotics.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Redness or red streaks occur
- Fever occurs
- Swelling lasts more than 6 months
- You think your child needs to be seen
Normal Milky Discharge from Nipples in a Newborn
What You Should Know:
- Swollen breasts are present during the first week of life in many girl and boy babies. The nipple area is always firm.
- Cause: the passage of the mother's hormones across the placenta.
- Newborn milk: sometimes, the nipples leak a few drops of milkish discharge. This is normal and can last a few weeks. Rarely lasts longer.
- Normal course: swollen breasts can last for 2 to 4 weeks. In breast-fed babies, some breast swelling can last for 6 months.
- Caution: never squeeze or massage the breast or nipple. Reason: this can cause a serious infection that needs antibiotics.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Redness or red streaks occur
- Fever occurs
- Milk leakage lasts more than 2 months
- You think your child needs to be seen
Normal Breast Buds with Onset of Puberty (age 8 or older)
What You Should Know:
- Breast buds are normal, small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple.
- Age: they normally occur in 8 to 12 year old girls. They are the first sign of puberty. Sometimes, they are even normal in 7 year olds.
- Importance: the entire breast develops from the breast bud, taking 2 or 3 years to completion.
- The first menstrual period (menarche) usually occurs 2 years after breast buds appear.
- Symptoms: breast buds can be somewhat tender. This is normal.
- Risks: none. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.
- Breast development is considered delayed if it has not started by age 13.
- Have your child's doctor check the breast bud at the next regular office visit.
Call Your Doctor If:
- No breast buds or breast development by age 13
- You have other questions or concerns
- You think your child needs to be seen
Breast Bud Only on One Side
What You Should Know:
- Breast buds often start on 1 side first.
- Breast tissue may even appear on that side. This can happen before you can feel a breast bud on the other side.
- Most often, the breast bud will appear on the other side within 3 months.
- The breast that has a later start will slowly catch up with the other.
- After breasts are mature, it's normal for 25% of women to have a slight difference in breast size.
- Risks: none. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.
- Have your child's doctor check the breast bud at the next regular office visit.
Call Your Doctor If:
- No breast bud on other side by 3 months
- You have other questions or concerns
- You think your child needs to be seen
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
Reviewed: 5/6/2025 Updated: 1/25/2025