Herniated Belly Button - can anyone enlighten me?

[Emma_31]

Hi Haydies,

DD had one also. And it was really big, it also made sounds when she would strain, like crying or pooping. We were told the same thing, not to worry until she's 3-5. It disappeared on its own at around 4 months of age. Now it looks normal. Hope it helps.

[Haydies]

Thanks for the quick replies girls. DD's is only really small - just the bottom part of her belly button sticks out a bit. looks like her belly button is pouting lol.

[Novella]

Jasmine had quite a large one, but it has almost gone now. Gp said it was fine but I got a second one from a paed who also said it would resolve on its own by 5yo

[Snacks]

Nothing to worry about, aparently. My understanding of it is that it can sometimes become evident later on (as in your DD's case) because her tummy muscles are starting to firm up. The hernia is caused by a little opening in the bit between the rectus abdominus muscles where they join together called the linea alba, which is where the umbilical cord inserted. I believe most of them clear up by age 1, and certainly by school age. If it doesn't go away by school age then it's not likely to, so they may have to perform very minor surgery to stitch the linea alba.
The only concern is that abdominal contents don't come out the hole. That will likely hurt, and the hernia may change colour. This is an emergency and should be corrected straight away because you don't want the hole to cut off the blood supply to that part of the abdominal contents (e.g. a bit of the intestine). As far as I'm aware, this sort of complication is very rare, so don't stress. Just watch it for changes and I'm sure you'll find it disappears over time no worries
HTH.

[Haydies]

Thankyou for that reply Snacks, that confirms what I've been reading via google (been searching ever since I got home).

[Danni]

My Ds has a little brown bit on the bottom of his belly button. A bit like a pimple. Is this what you are talking about?

[Snacks]

LOL, probably where my A&P lecture notes came from Not something terribly relevant to massage but the lecturer liked to go on tangents. He did tell us that he got heaps of info off the internet... Hope it is accurate anyway.

Danni - probably an umbilical hernia would be bigger than a pimple? I don't know as I've never seen one. How long has he had it? Has your GP or MCHN seen it? If so, they should've told you if it was a hernia.

[Haydies]

My Ds has a little brown bit on the bottom of his belly button. A bit like a pimple. Is this what you are talking about?

Hrm, not quite. DD's is more the bottom 'lip' part of her belly button sticks out. I'll see if I can get a photo of it the next time she's in the bath (as she stands and is more obvious then).