For those that don't know what a hemangioma is: it's a red bump on baby's skin that's caused by overactive blood vessels. It's most common in Caucasian female babies. It normally doesn't cause any problems. And it normally goes away on its own by the time the child starts school.

Well that's what the doctors told me, at least. I was wondering if anyone here has any experiences or stories to tell me about them. My little girl has a small one, about the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil, on her head. I've had three different doctors explain to me how it's no concern and it'll go away in a few years. I wasn't too concerned, I mean it's not the prettiest thing but her hair will cover it (when she gets hair!) Then it'll be gone and she probably won't even remember it being there. But...my husband's aunt is a nurse at a dermatologist office and tells me a different story.

Now this aunt I normally just smile and nod at her advice. She doesn't understand that things that were done 26 years ago when she had a baby are not done now. She thinks I spoil my 4 month old because I pick her up when she cries. She doesn't understand why I don't give the baby water and is confused why my baby isn't dehydrated. She was shocked I waited until my baby was over 4 months old to give her rice cereal on a spoon because she mixed it with her newborn's formula in a bottle.

Anyway, went off on a small rant there, I normally don't listen to her. But I think she knows what she's talking about when it comes to skin. She knew exactly what the bump on my baby's head was. Which is nice because I get questioned on it all the time and at least with my husband's family I have back-up when people don't believe that I just need to leave it alone. Well, when we were visiting yesterday she explained to me that I will have to get it cauterized at some point. Which no doctor has ever said anything about that. She said once she's older and has hair, it'll bleed profusely when I try to brush her hair. And that the only way to prevent it is to get it cauterized. Regardless, it will go away eventually.

I was just wondering if anyone else has heard of this? Now I can just imagine my daughter's first hair cut being a blood bath...