Baby Lip Blisters: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Sucking the lip or cold sores could cause babies to develop blisters on their lips.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Richard Mario Lurshay, MBBS, DNB Dr. Richard Mario Lurshay Dr. Richard Mario LurshayMBBS, DNB Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: PediatricsExperience: 11 years
Written by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Edited by , BDS, CLC Dr. Ritika Shah BDS, CLC Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dental and General Health, LactationExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , B.Tech Anindita Ghatak B.Tech Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 3 years
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A Baby With Lip Blisters

Image: ShutterStock

Baby lip blisters are common and usually resolve on their own. They are characterized by minute fluid-filled bumps on the baby’s lips and may not be visible when the lips are closed. Although a baby lip blister does not pose a threat, it is usually a subtle sign of latching problems. Identifying the underlying reason behind the baby’s lip blisters might help your doctor treat them and prevent them from recurring.

Read this post to know more about what these blisters look like and their causes and management.

In This Article

What Do Baby Lip Blisters Look Like?

Baby lip blisters look like small bubbles on the skin of your baby’s lips and may not be visible when the lips are closed. They generally appear as tiny bubbles on the cupid’s bow or as a big band stretched across the lips. They are usually filled with a clear fluid. In some rare cases, they may also be filled with pus.

What do baby lip blisters look like

Image: Shutterstock

Why Do Babies Get Lip Blisters?

Baby lip blisters can be due to sucking during breastfeeding or cold sores. Knowing how lip blisters develop can help tell the difference between normal suck blisters and those that might need medical attention. Usually, suck blisters start to disappear within a few days, while cold sores can worsen and become painful.

1. Baby suck lip/ blisters

If baby lip blisters persist, it could signal a latching problem.

Image: Shutterstock

Lip blisters caused by sucking are also known as suck blisters, friction blisters, or suck callouses. A newborn’s lips are tender and soft. While breastfeeding, the baby starts to suck vigorously and overworks their lip muscles. These lead to friction and may cause lip blisters (1). Although lip blisters are mostly seen in breastfeeding babies, they are also present in bottle-fed babies.

A case study showed that sucking blisters may also develop during the intrauterine life as babies start the sucking action when they are still in the womb (2).

Newborn lip blisters may resolve in one or two days, and you need not worry or do something about them. However, if the lip blisters persist beyond a couple of weeks, it could signal a latching problem (3).

Also, a tongue-tie or a lip-tie in babies may prevent your baby from raising their tongue and restrict the lips’ movement, resulting in long-lasting sucking blisters. If your baby is premature, they might also need more time to learn how to latchiAttachment of the infant with the mother’s breast during breastfeeding correctly (4).

protip_icon Quick fact
Fat padsiMasses of fat tissues in the cheek that help babies in sucking during breastfeeding are underdeveloped in premature babies. These fat pads support the tongue to suck efficiently. The absence of fat pads can also lead to lip blisters in babies (3).

2. Cold sores

According to a study conducted by multiple institutions, it was estimated that the neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection incidence rate ranges between one in 3000 to one in 20,000 live births. Cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virusi can cause blisters on the baby’s lips. Unlike the suck blisters, they might be painful and filled with pus. Although these are found primarily in adults, babies under eight weeks are at risk of developing them, as their immune system is not fully developed (5).

Adults with the virus can infect the baby when they touch the baby’s lips or kiss them, or give them a pacifier after keeping it in their mouth.

Babies may also develop a fever when they have a cold sore for the first time, and the mouth area could be inflamed, leading to bad breath (5).

protip_icon Quick fact
Pressure from a long or difficult vaginal delivery may temporarily affect the function of the nerve involved in sucking. Any such cranial nerve dysfunction may cause sucking issues and resulting lip blisters (3).

How To Treat Baby Lip Blisters

The treatment for lip blisters in babies depends on the cause. If the blisters are due to sucking, then observe them for three to four days. If they reappear or do not go away on their own, identify and fix the latching problem. Here is how you can do it.

  • Gently rub your nipple on your baby’s lips. This may help your baby open their mouth wide.
  • Try to direct the nipple above your baby’s top lip. Also, make sure your baby’s chin is towards their chest.
  • Now, aim your baby’s lower lip away from the base of your nipple. Lead your baby into the breast, chin first, and then make them latch on.
  • An extended tongue and the baby’s mouth filled with your breast with the baby’s lower lip everted, are signs of a good latch (6).
If your bottle fed baby has suck blisters, use a paced feeding bottle.

Image: Shutterstock

If your bottle-fed baby has suck blisters, check your feeding position, place the bottle nipple completely into your baby’s mouth, or use a paced feeding bottle until your baby becomes comfortable latching.

You may apply a warm compress on your baby’s lips to soothe the milk blisters (7).

Cold sores resolve on their own, but if your baby develops a fever or if their mouth appears inflamed, then take them to your pediatrician.

You can prevent cold sores in babies by taking the following precautions.

  • Do not let family members who are infected touch or kiss the baby.
  • Always wash your hands before touching the baby or their bottles and pacifiers.
  • Do not share your baby’s towels or bedsheets with people who are infected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can pacifiers cause blisters on lips?

Aggressive sucking on pacifiers may cause lip blisters in infants. These blisters may resolve once the baby stops using pacifiers.

2. Are milk blisters painful for babies?

Milk blisters occur in lactating mothers due to the accumulation of milk under the skin. These blisters do not usually cause any discomfort to the breastfeeding baby, though.

3. Can I use Vaseline on the baby’s lip blisters?

It is better to avoid applying Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or any other topical ointment for lip blisters since the baby may accidentally ingest it, causing side effects. Consult a pediatrician to know baby-safe creams and ointments that you may use for lip blisters.

4. When should I consult a doctor for my baby’s lip blisters?

If your baby’s lip blisters persist, worsen, or are accompanied by fever or other concerning symptoms, it is essential you consult a pediatrician for further evaluation and treatment (5).

Baby lip blisters may not be obvious since they occur in the inner part of the lips. However, they are quite common and usually resolve on their own. The friction caused by sucking during breastfeeding and cold sores are the common causes of lip blisters in babies. If the blisters are accompanied by fever, consult your pediatrician since these blisters could be due to an infection. On the other hand, improve the latching technique if the blister is due to sucking while feeding. Regardless of the cause, lip blisters are common in babies and are not a cause of concern unless accompanied by other signs of infection.

Infographic: How To Manage Blisters Due To Cold Sores In Babies?

Although cold sores are uncommon in babies, they can be a symptom of a viral illness. Though severe symptoms (accompanied by fever) need medical attention, you may try to relieve your baby’s pain and discomfort by taking simple steps at home, as discussed in the infographic below.

home care for baby’s blisters due to cold sores (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Lip blisters in newborns can appear as tiny bubbles, or a large band stretched over the baby’s lips.
  • Cold sores or sucking can cause lip blisters in babies.
  • Lip blisters are more common in breastfed babies, although they can also occur in bottle-fed babies.
  • Proper latching positions and techniques can help newborns with sucking blisters.
  • Always wash the baby’s bottles, pacifiers, and your hands before touching a newborn.

Illustration: Blisters on Baby&039s Lips: Causes Symptoms And Treatment

baby lip blisters_illustration

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Does your baby have lip blisters? Learn how to identify and treat them in this informative video. Get the answers you need to keep your baby safe and healthy.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Marvin Dannenberg Morris Leider and Richard R. Bass; The Appearance of Lips of Suckling Infants; JAMA Dermatology Clinicopathological Challenge (2021).
    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/525575
  2. Mustafa Aydin et al.; A rare location of sucking blister in newborn: the lips; European Journal of Pediatrics (2013).
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23748984/
  3. Suck Blisters; Flourishing Tots
    https://www.flourishingtots.com/blog/suckblisters
  4. Breastfeeding: Ineffective Latch-On or Sucking; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
    https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/b/ineffective-latch
  5. Cold sores: Overview; US National Library of Medicine
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525782/
  6. Steps and Signs of a Good Latch; WIC Breastfeeding Support – U.S. Department of Agriculture
    https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/steps-and-signs-good-latch
  7. Jacqueline C. Kent et al.; Nipple Pain in Breastfeeding Mothers: Incidence Causes and Treatments; International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2015).
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4626966/
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Dr. Richard Mario Lurshay
Dr. Richard Mario LurshayMBBS, DNB
Dr. Richard Mario Lurshay has around 11 years of experience in the care of children and their well-being. After completing his post-graduation in Pediatrics, he completed his training in Pediatric Nutrition from Boston University School of Medicine (USA).

Read full bio of Dr. Richard Mario Lurshay
Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika Shah
Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah
Anindita Ghatak
Anindita GhatakB.Tech
Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals.

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