Why is the newborn's belly button bulging?

The physical condition of an adult is different from that of a newborn baby, but some conditions may be signs of many diseases. Under normal circumstances, people's belly buttons are concave, so why does a newborn's belly button bulge out? This may be an umbilical hernia. Parents don't need to worry too much if there is no inflammation around the belly button. Let’s learn about the things you need to pay attention to when your baby’s belly button is bulging.

1. What to do if your baby's belly button is bulging?

This is the legendary umbilical hernia. When a baby develops umbilical hernia, parents don't need to worry too much. Generally, as the baby's abdominal muscles gradually develop, the hernia will gradually shrink and can usually recover on its own within the baby's first year of age without the need for special treatment. However, new parents should pay attention to dressing their babies in soft, non-irritating underwear to avoid friction at the site where umbilical hernia occurs.

If the baby still has umbilical hernia (less than 2 cm in diameter) when he is 1 to 2 years old, you can use a bandage or tape to compress the hernia ring. However, you need to change it every 1 to 2 weeks and pay attention to whether there is dermatitis at the place where the tape is applied to avoid pressure on the navel and causing omphalitis and other diseases. At the same time, you should also prevent your baby from wheezing, coughing, and constipation, and you should try to reduce your baby's crying as much as possible.

2. Things to note when your baby's belly button bulges

1. When the baby is crying, you should first comfort him and determine whether the crying is caused by umbilical hernia. Although umbilical hernia is a benign symptom, parents still need to pay attention to the condition of umbilical hernia. Unlike inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias usually heal on their own and almost never require surgery, whereas inguinal hernias almost always require surgery to improve symptoms.

2. The mother does not need to press the navel every day to observe whether the intestines are running out. She just needs to pay attention to it at ordinary times, such as observing the appearance of the navel when changing the baby's diaper or when the baby is sleeping. When the baby is more relaxed and calm, the small bag at the umbilicus will sink slightly, just like a blown-up balloon that has let out some air, and the skin becomes wrinkled. However, when the baby starts to move or cry, the small bag at the umbilicus will become fuller again.

3. Some mothers use a coin to directly press on the protruding navel, hoping to improve the situation through pressure. However, doctors specifically point out that whether pressing with a coin or wrapping with tape or clothing, it has no substantial effect on umbilical hernia. Instead, it is more likely to cause contact dermatitis, especially in the summer, when it is more likely to cause itchy rashes due to the stuffiness.

I believe that parents now know clearly what to do if their baby’s belly button is bulging. In fact, parents generally do not need to worry too much. Many children have umbilical hernias, which will gradually disappear over time. However, some babies need surgical treatment. Parents can take their baby for an examination to confirm.