Umbilical Hernias: Baby Belly Button Sticking Out

Umbilical Hernias: Baby Belly Button Sticking Out

No one pays a lot of attention the belly button. The rare occasions you really think about itare when you have anew-born, and when your teen wants to pierce his or her belly button. Other than that, the belly button is something we often take for granted and hardly notice.The belly button is the remnant of the umbilical cord.The umbilical cord is responsible for passing vital nutrients from the mother to the developing baby and removing any fetal waste products. This is where the baby was attached to the mother whilst in the uterus. Some people have belly buttons that are fondly referred to as "innies" or "outies". The latter refers to a belly button that protrudes out a bit while the former is when the belly button is a small crater-like cavity.

Baby Belly Button Sticking Out: Is It a Concern?
Usually the belly button sticking out is not a major concern.But you still to takespecial care of the umbilical "stump" until it dries up and falls off.

The opening in the abdomen where the umbilical cord was attached usually seals off spontaneously but in some babies, there may be a swelling around the area.This swelling is often more pronounced when the baby is crying or having a bowel movement. The swelling is caused when there is a gap in the abdominal muscle wall where fluid, tissues or intestines can push thorough.Almost 20% of all new babies have this phenomenon and it is called an umbilical hernia. Although it appears scary to have this protuberance on your baby’s tummy, it is relatively harmless as long as the baby has no pain or discomfort.

Majority of umbilical hernias resolve spontaneously by the age of 12 to 18 months.Sometimes, however, the area may become inflamed. The signs are swelling, pain and a change to the normal color of the skin in the area. If you notice any of this, seek medical care.There are some very rare cases where the umbilicus opening seals off but traps a small piece of the baby's intestines. This can lead to poor blood flow to that area of the intestine and will require surgery to correct.In this rare case, the baby may experience vomiting and Constipation.

What to Do If It Doesn't Go Away
If you find your baby belly button sticking out after 18 months, you may think about seeing a doctor.

• Once the doctor has been consulted, he may decide that surgery is necessary. This is a fairly common type of surgery for children and should not concern you too much.


• The child will be given a general anaesthetic and be put into a deep sleep.


• The surgeon will gently push back any protruding organ and stitch the opening in the abdominal muscles together.


• Depending upon the severity of the hernia and the general health of the child, the child may be kept in hospital under observation or discharged the very same day after the general anaesthetic has worn off.


• Your doctor may prescribe some pain relieffor your child.


• A full recovery is expected if there are not other complications from the surgery.

Experiences Sharing on Baby Belly Button Sticking Out

"When my two-week old baby's umbilical clamp was removed, I noticed a swelling in the general area of the belly button. I was not advised very well by the midwife and so did not put a name to the condition. My baby was 9 months old when she was positively diagnosed as having an umbilical hernia. The swelling increased in size when she cried or strained in any way, especially when she passed stools.Certain medical professionals advised me that it would go away on its own, but it never did and it looked the same after months. I was very worried that this umbilical hernia would impede my baby from crawling. At nine months, she seemed very uncomfortable if she had to lie on her tummy. She did not enjoy spending time on her tummy at all. I didn't think it caused her any pain, though. Less tummy time meant that she would not get onto her knees to crawl. At two years old, I decided my daughter was ready to have the operation to correct the umbilical hernia. The operation was a success and she didn't experience too much pain or discomfort during the recovery period. The appearance of the belly button is now flat and as perfect as it can be. Don't panic if your child has to have the surgery to correct a belly button sticking out."

"While bathing my six-week old baby, I noticed my babybelly button sticking out about an inch. This absolutely scared me and she was crying at the top of her lungs at that moment as well. This happened so suddenly and I had never noticed anything like that previously. I went to visit my pediatrician and was informed that I should wait for a few months for it to correct itself. The doctor said if it doesn't fix itself, I would have to opt for a surgery. This is not ideal as I'm very worried about my baby having surgery this early in her life."

"My son's belly button was sticking out and I was under a lot of pressure from family to try all sorts of remedies like taping it down, placing coins over the area and bandaging it into place. I was very scared but thankfully, did not attempt any of these 'home remedies'. The doctor told me it would heal by itself and it did. Now, my son has a beautiful andflat belly button."

Umbilical Hernia Surgery

Umbilical Hernia Surgery

When fatty tissue pushes through weak spots in the abdominal wall near the bellybutton, it is called an umbilical hernia. Most of the time, these are painless. You may feel a lump near your navel which expands when you use your abdominal muscles to perform tasks such as laughing, coughing, crying, or going to the bathroom. It may also decrease in size when you lie down or relax.

It is a very common occurrence in infants which heals itself by the child's first birthday. However, it can develop in adults and get worse over time if not treated properly. If it gets severe enough, you may need umbilical hernia surgery to repair your muscle tissue.

When Is Umbilical Hernia Surgery Needed?
Surgery for umbilical hernia is used to push the bulge back and make the abdominal wall that is weak stronger. The surgery is normally followed by therapy to help increase the strength of the abdominal wall.

Your child's pediatrician may suggest surgery if the hernia has not healed itself by your child's fifth birthday or if it is really large. Most doctors wait until this age because there may not be any complications before then. It is very uncommon for complications to arise or for the hernia to remain after the age of five.

On the other hand, a doctor may suggest that an adult with an umbilical hernia receive surgical treatment right away. This is due to the fact that it most likely will not heal on its own, leading to multiple complications.

Possible Complication If Left Untreated
The two main complications which can occur due to an umbilical hernia are obstruction and strangulation.

• Obstruction occurs when bowel is stuck outside of the abdomen. Common recognizable symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and severe pain.


• Strangulation occurs when a section of the bowel is trapped, causing the blood supply to be cut off. In this situation emergency surgery will be scheduled within the next couple of hours. It is vital that the blood supply can be returned to the trapped tissue before it dies.

How Is Umbilical Hernia Surgery Done?
Umbilical hernia surgery will help to prevent any serious damage or complications. However, the hernia still has a chance of returning.

Before the Procedure
There are two main forms of surgery prep before the surgery actually begins. However, prior to either form of preparation your doctor will give you a few things to do before the day of the surgery.

Three to four days before your surgery, stop taking any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the risk of excess bleeding during the procedure. You will also be asked to fast about 6 hours prior to the official surgery.

On the day of the surgery, you will either be given general anesthesia or have a spinal block. If you have the anesthesia you will be asleep during the surgery and not feel any pain. On the other hand, if you have a spinal block you will not feel any pain, but you will be awake.

During the Procedure
You and your surgeon will decide upon the best method for the best results. You may either choose an open surgery or a laparoscopic surgery.

• Open surgeryis done by making an incision below the bellybutton which allows the surgeon to work on your abdomen.


• Laparoscopic surgery is done by making only a keyhole incision at the hernia site so that a thin and flexible tube can be inserted. This tube is the laparoscope, which allows your doctor to see inside the abdominal cavity using a video. The surgeon will then use his/her tools inside the keyhole incisions to repair the abdomen.

Whichever surgery is decided, the surgeon will do the same repair procedure. Your surgeon will push the abdominal lining and the intestine that is bulging back through the hole in the abdominal wall. Stitches will then be used to close the hole and some synthetic mesh will be added to strengthen the abdominal wall.

Will There Be Any Risks with the Surgery?
It is very uncommon to have any complications due to umbilical hernia surgery, however the wound may become infected, the hernia may return, or you may feel sick and have numbness around the area for a few hours following the operation.

You may also notice a small change in your bellybutton after the surgery.

Umbilical Hernia Repair Recovery Time
It is very common that patients return to their normal activities within 2-4 weeks following their surgery.

Immediately following your umbilical hernia surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room as you regain your consciousness after surgery. The medical staff will be monitoring your vital signs for the next couple of hours. The majority of patients are outpatients, which means you get to leave the same day you have the surgery.

Things to Keep in Mind
At first you may notice a bit of tenderness and bruising; however, it will go away within the first week. There are a few things that your doctor will recommend as at home care for a complete recovery:

• Over time you will be able to resume your normal activities without any residual pain. After the first couple of weeks you will be able to begin light exercises such as walking, but you do have to wait about four weeks before beginning strenuous activities or lifting heavy weights.


• Use painkillers to help aid in relieving any residual discomfort. Children can be given paracetamol and ibuprofen. However, please keep in mind that children under the age of 16 must not use aspirin.


• Wear loose clothing to reduce excess pain.


• Use soap and water to gently and effectively clean the area as instructed by the nurse before leaving the hospital.


• Try to avoid straining when using the toilet as it may result in great pain around the wound. Drink lots of fluids and eat a healthy diet including fruits, vegetables and foods rich in fiber such as whole meal bread, pasta and brown rice to reduce your chance of Constipation.

Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical Hernia






If any of the fatty muscles protrudes through a hole from the connective tissue, it is called hernia. Hernia can occur in many places. If it occurs in the inner groin it is known as Inguinal Hernia, if it develops from the umbilical cord or navel it is called as umbilical hernia. In case the hernia is seen developing from the upper abdomen it is known as Hiatal Hernia and if fatty tissue is seen developing from the outer groin it is called as femoral hernia.

Umbilical hernia is one in which part of intestine pierces through a hole of abdominal muscles and is most common among infants. Bellybutton of the baby can protrude out of the navel for infants and often it may close gradually when the infant grows. Umbilical hernia that does not resolve promptly before the completion of 3 years of age needs treatment.

Symptoms :

Infants would have a small swelling near the umbilical cord (navel). The bulging can be clearly noticed when the baby cries or coughs. And it may not be seen when the baby says calm and sleeps. Often, umbilical hernia is painless and do not cause any discomfort. In rare cases it might cause abdominal discomfort.

In most of the infants, umbilical hernia would close on its own when the child turns 1 year. In rare cases surgery is to be done to close the hole. In adults umbilical hernia might develop in some cases. People with problems in their belly or those who are obese can develop this problem. In rare certain health issues like persistent cough and Constipation can create umbilical hernia.

Causes :

It is the umbilical cord that connects the fetus with the mother and through which food is served to the growing child. The umbilical cord of the mother gets connected with the baby’s abdominal muscles and normally the small opening would close automatically after childbirth. In some cases the abdominal muscles would not fuse together completely and creates a small hole in the navel region. Over time, this would make the abdominal wall weak causing umbilical hernia.

In adults, umbilical hernia is rare. Excess of pressure put on the abdominal muscles like obesity and multiple pregnancies can cause umbilical hernia. Fluid accumulation in excess on the abdominal cavity and undergoing abdominal surgery can also cause this problem. Sudden lifting of heavy objects can weaken the abdominal muscles leading to hernia. Poor nutrition and constant smoking can also cause hernia.

Complications :

Umbilical hernia would not cause any complications. In rare cases, some part of abdominal tissue gets trapped outside which cannot be pushed inside the abdominal cavity. This in turn can block the blood flow to this section causing tissue damage. In severe cases if no blood supply is restored it can cause death of tissues (gangrene) that has to be operated immediately.

Tests :

Umbilical hernia can be diagnosed easily by mere physical exam. No additional tests are needed. For some babies the hernia becomes visible only if the baby stands up. Ultrasound scanning is done in such cases to get accurate picture.

Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Umbilical Hernia :

Treatment :

Often no treatment is needed for umbilical hernia, since the hernia would close automatically when the baby grows. Never attempt to push back the bulging tissue into the abdominal cavity on your own. And some people believe that fixing a coin on the hernia and closing it down by a tape can help in solving the problem. But this can cause infection. Sometime, doctor would gently push back the tissue into the cavity. Surgery is to be done for hernias that are bigger in size (more than 1.5 cm) and are painful and does not go away even when the child reaches 3 years.

Even for adults, surgery is the only option for treating umbilical hernia. The surgeon would make a small incision at the base of navel region and gently pushes the herniated tissue muscles into the abdominal cavity. The tiny opening will then be stitched. Developing gangrene and infection is quite possible for adults due to hernia. You can get back to work probably in a week or so and follow your doctor’s instructions so that you are not getting hernia again.