My 6-month-old has what I believe to be enlarged lymph nodes behind both of his ears and one on his neck. I first discovered the two largest ones behind his left ear when he was only a couple weeks old. I mentioned it to the pediatrician, and he checked him out and said they should eventually go away. (He said that this is pretty normal for babies). Well, those two have since gotten bigger, and I found another one on his neck and another two behind his right ear just recently. They are really very small (smaller than about half of a pinkie fingernail or even smaller), but I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience? I plan on mentioning the knots at his nine-month appointment again. Should I be worried?
Hi A., I had one of these behind my right ear until I was about 15 years old, and then it just went away. However, I would get a second opinion from a dermatologist or someone other than the pediatrician just in case. Good luck, and please let us know what you find out!
Hey Madeleine, I see you down there! Thanks for inviting me to this website, it's so awesome!
Hi A.,
As a family practice nurse from Indiana I can reassure you that these probably are indeed lymph nodes and something normal for your child. If your child is not ill in any other ways, listless, then the doctor is surely correct. However, if this were my child I would insist on blood tests (A complete blood count) to reassure me that nothing more serious could be going on. If it were, it seems that it would have presented itself sooner than 6 months.
So reassuring to find a loving and caring mother as yourself. Keep up the good work!!
My son had the same knots, so large that people actually point and said look at that. They were very noticeable obviously. I took him to the doctor and the doctor touched them and said they were not sensitive so more likely there was nothing to worry about just to watch for other signs like them being sore. He said that they enlarge when your body is fighting some sort of an infection and the more they are touched the larger they will get. Just to be on the safe side I would call the doctor and see if he thinks you should come in sooner then 9 months.
I had the same experience with my son when he was a baby- and it totally freaked me out! I asked his pediatrician about it and he said it was normal. He said that babies lymph nodes swell when they are exposed to germs sometimes - but its normal, so don't worry about it. My son is a healthy 14 year old now, so I guess he was right:)
My husband still has these. He said that he has had them ever since he could remember and the Dr. says they are fine. Nothing to worry about. Ask your pediatrician again though to put your mind at ease.
My daughter had the same thing only in her diaper area, by her pelvis bone. I was very concerned, and the doctor told me the same thing, that it is very normal, and they would go away. The same thing happened, and they also became larger. I mentioned it again to the pediatrician, and it was the same thing, that this is normal. And eventually they went away.
Hi A.,
My name is M.. I have raised 2 children. They're both healthy and successful adults. I'm sure you have nothing to weary about. Just make sure you draw this to your pediatric physician attention. Let me know your concerns. I know he's to young to tell you if hurts but he will give you signs just look for them.
I hope this helps.
My son had ( and still gets a few when he is coming down with something) a few lymphnodes behind his ears and sometimes where his leg attaches at the groin. Our ped. said that as long as they move around....they are okay and that they will eventually go away.
But, to be honest, they still freak me out and I usually make a call to the ped. or point them out at our next appt. Better safe than sorry.
We noticed the same on my son when he was 2 months old. The ped said that his lymph nodes were swollen due to his cradle cap and that it should go away. He still has them and recently one side got bigger as he's gotten a cold. I also found some info on a few medical websites which indicated that there's no need to worry but you should tell the doctor when the lumps change size.
It could be lymphedema. Your child could have been born with it called primary. Wait for swelling of the skin at the back of the neck and face. Check the arm pits and crotch for swollen glads and fluid build up.
Doctors do not understand the problem. Find a massage therapist who can help you learn to do the massage. I do it for myself and my son.
From the ones in my head behind my ears and back of the neck I get loss of hearing and headaches. I have to have a massage every two weeks or I cannot function because of the toxins and pain.
Lots of water helps.
When my son was around 4 or 5 months, I noticed the same thing on the back of his neck. Our doctor also said lymph nodes. I did noticed when he got a cold or was sick that they did seem a bit bigger.
I would agree though, that if you should continue to ask your doctor questions, or to check them, if you are concerned. That is what they are there for.
My 3.5 year old has a lump in his neck that he's had from the beginning. It's like a pea inside that you can move around a bit. His pediatrician before said it was fine and nothing to worry about. He moved so we got a different pediatrician. I asked about it again with the new pediatrician and since it had been a couple years and seemed to be growing with him. This pediatrician explained it was fine and is a little blood clot in the muscle from the way he was positioned inutero or from the birth. But nothing to worry about anyway. I'd just ask at the next appointment and explain it all to them or call if you are concerned, for peace of mind. Best wishes to you! :)
Good Afternoon A.:
My son also had enlarged lymph nodes pop up about that age. I also pointed them out at EVERY visit to my pediatrician. However, the pediatrician didnt seem very concerned so I didnt worry either. At about 2 he developed allergy shiners and the pediatrician just loaded him up on allergy drugs that didnt work.
At 4 they had changed those meds so many times and they continued to NOT work.
At six we were told they were due to his adenoids having issues so my son underwent a T&A this year. Guess what that didnt help either.
I finally gave up on our pediatrician although she is wonderful and the allergist was good. I took my son to Integrated Health Specialists at 93rd and Meridian and have found that the enlarged lymph nodes were due to MAJOR allergies and he is allergic to over 26 items (food and environmental).
I felt terrible as a mother as I didnt know. He is finally starting to improve but have to say, not thanks to his pediatrician or the initial allergist that came so HIGHLY recommended.
I share my experience not to alarm you but to just let you know that you need to watch his progress. If he has multiple sore throats/ear issues as he gets a bit older, it may be due to tonsils, adenoids or allergies so keep your pulse on it. Many kids have allergies to milk even as babies and that could also cause the enlarged lymph nodes. There are great products now like Soy Milk enriched with calcium etc...
You didnt mention what his eyes look like or if he has a lot of mucous in his nose, etc. Milk allergies can cause excessive mucous and allergies in general can give your baby a bit of those allergy shiners, dark circles, etc...
Hello,
My son had 1 larger lymph node then the other. When he was about 11 months I believe & he is only 19 months now. His ped. said that we should get a CT scan done. We did the cat scan & they had Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee take a look at it. It only indicated that it was a lymph node. His ped. thought it might be a cyst and to watch it to see if it got bigger. If this is a concern I would tell your ped. that you want him to refer you to a radioligist. Good luck-
K.-Mother of a 19 month old son
