Remember that episode of Friends where Rachel’s pediatrician drops her as a client for constantly calling him about concerns with Emma?
Well that’s me. Not exactly in the fact that Monkey’s pediatrician has dropped me though. More in like that I scheduled an appointment for Monkey today because I found a bump.
And anyone that knows anything knows that a bump is usually not good. And that it can mean cancer. And this “knowledge” sent me into a new-mom frenzy. So much so that I didn’t even want to blog about it yesterday. I was really freaked out about this bump.
I made a pact with God yesterday that as long as my little boy was okay, I could handle anything myself… Just let my little boy be healthy. Please. From the bottom of my heart.
Fast-forward to our appointment first thing this morning. Thank God that Tarzan was there with me because I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. The pediatrician came in & we showed him the bump.
Know what he said?
“Oh, this is just the tip of his sternum. Some are caved in & some poke out. Completely normal & nothing to worry about.”
Hallelujah!
So, yes, I made an appointment because I was frantic about a bump I found. It turned out to be my son’s sternum. Sternum, as in no big deal at all.
Hopefully my pediatrician won’t drop us because he thinks that Monkey’s mom is stupid.
You might also want to read:
- First Pediatrician appointment: Questions I asked our Pediatrician and Monkey’s progress
- Monkey’s two month old vaccination appointment
- Postpartum depression: Stepping outside the box and feeling more confident
- A trip to the grocery store brings tears of sadness and joy
- Monkey’s 4 month doctor appointment & first attempt at rice cereal
= a post from Mommy Jane 
= a post from Daddy Tarzan
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re a new mom. And an observant one. Monkey’s a lucky lil guy. My youngest 2 boys on the other hand, they get bumps, bruises, skinned spots all the time. I’m on a first name basis with the nurse at their school. And if Monkey’s ped would drop you, you’re better off.
I think i am at the opposite end of the scale and a little too laid back, My partner is the worry wort and constantly asking if our little one is ok because he saw this in her face or that. This morning it was is her nose ok its looks abnormal… it looked fine to me so I have not worried about it.. I guess it is because i hate doctors
Hi!… I have been following your blog since it was posted… my son was due on 23 July also, but was 2 weeks late. I have been meaning to post many comments on your various posts, but well, usually I am glancing at my RSS feeds at work (during pregnancy) or while breastfeeding.
Anyway… I found a bump on the back of my son’s head when he was 6 weeks old.. more like a bubble (fluid filled bump feeling). What is that on the back of his head ??!! Quick search online yielded results like “in my 25 years I have never seen this in babies” or “let’s get a couple of CAT scans to check it out” or “fluid is caused by tiny blood vessel breaks” to many other things…. scary.
Went to pediatrician, and she said it was just a lymph node, very common and definitely common on back of babies’ heads…. and when I went home and (yes, googled) lymph node on babies’ heads, yes, I did find many others who had the exact same find and were told it was perfectly normal….
Sometimes these ’scares’ are just reminders how blessed we are and thankful all is well.
A very belated congratulations for Monkey’s addition to your family, your strength to share your story with so many of us close and far (across the ocean far!) and for tackling all the issues you have had straight on.
I found that out with my oldest.i was rubbing her belly one day when she was just a few months old and discovered a bump.i just kind of brushed it off.when i felt it with my 2nd baby i kept kinda feeling around and noticed it was attached and suppose to be there
pediatricians are so use to these kind of things that they most likely wont ever get annoyed or mad about it.
As a Mommy, especially a (fairly) new one, it’s your right to inspect and be concerned about every bump and freckle that pops up on your Monkey. It is always better to know than not know. You did the right thing. My poor pediatrician has an answering service – so she can be reached ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT. I’m sure she regrets doing that some days
. Tonight I had her all dialed up and ready to hit the send button because G had a rash on her face. My husband made me put the phone down and give her Benedryl. Whattaya know, it worked 
You’re not stupid, you’re a new mommy! My husband jokes to me that our baby is going to live in bubble because I’m so paranoid. I do have the tendency to hunt the freckles and moles on DH’s body to inspect them and make sure they’re not cancer. And anytime I feel sniffly I think I have a cold. And I’m relatively convinced that when my DH gets his twice-yearly migraines, it’s a brain tumor.
But that’s all, really. I’m not THAT bad.
This is hilarious. I did the same thing almost! I have a son who’s a few weeks younger than Monkey. I can relate to all of your stories! One night I felt that bump on my son, and I freaked out. I thought for sure it was a tumor. I was ready to call the doctor, but I showed it to my husband first, who tried to convince me it was his sternum. Finally, after nearly poking the kid to death, I believed him.
I also have an almost 4 year old. I laugh thinking about all the silly things I called the doctor about. I just obsessed over every little thing that wasn’t quite right. Overall, I’m much more laid back this time around.
I’m sure your pediatrician would much rather see a new mom call and come in about bumps and knots that turn out to be nothing than someone who ignores signs that turn out to be something. Its just proof of how loved Monkey is.
Ha! Well good for you for taking care of it right away. I bet pediatricians have seen MUCH worse
You are such an attentive and caring mom, no reason to fee silly.
lol I will probably take my baby to the doc’s for every hiccup!!! I call the Doc constantly now still pregnant) and they just laugh with me now and they tell me everything is fine.
OMG this totally made me laugh (not until you were at the Dr. of course, bumps are not funny). I am so going to be this kind of mom, but you know what it means that your little boy won’t have something that goes undetected.
Better to be safe than sorry!! You’re a GREAT Mom for being so observant and proactive! And I’m sure your pediatrician will not drop you. I know they wish there were more parents who care like you guys do ;o)
Um, yeah, felt the same thing myself and surprisingly didnt call the doctor because I was too preoccupied with thinking I had poisoned him with tea tree oil (story I will blog about). So glad you told me its a sternum!!!
So, I just googled this bump only to find your blog. I actually asked the doctor about the same thing a year ago and he told me the same thing, But tonight my husband saw it and came in here and asked me about it, I told him what the doctor said, but then I got all freaked out about it again and started googling! I think I came upon this for a reason!! So, I can go to sleep without waking up every other second to pray about it
Thank you! And I’m glad your son is perfectly fine!!