Caring for Your Child with an Umbilical Hernia

This guide gives you information about what causes umbilical hernia in children, its symptoms, how it's diagnosed, treatment options, and advice for home care.

What is an Umbilical Hernia?

An umbilical Hernia is a noticeable bulge that you can see or feel over your Baby’s belly button (umbilicus).

What are the causes of Umbilical Hernias?

• It happens when part of the intestines and sometimes fat or fluid forms a sac that pushes through a weak spot in the belly muscles.
• This is more common in premature babies or those who were very small at birth.

What are the symptoms of Umbilical Hernia?

Usually, umbilical hernias don't cause any symptoms. However, the most common signs are:

• A visible soft bulge over or close to the belly button of your baby.
• In some babies, it is only visible when the baby cries.

How is Umbilical Hernia diagnosed?

A doctor can typically diagnose an umbilical hernia through a simple physical checkup.

How is Umbilical Hernia treated?

Most umbilical hernias in babies heal on their own by the time the child reaches 4 or 5 years old, and they don’t require specific treatment.

Home care advice and follow-up:

• Regular Check-ups: A follow-up appointment will be arranged every 6 to 12 months to observe how the hernia changes and reduces in size.
• Normal Activities: Your baby can feed normally and engage in usual activities.
• Watch for Changes: Look out for any new symptoms as listed below.    

When should I go to the Emergency Department (ED)?

Go to the Emergency Department (ED) if your child:

• Is crying more than usual or refuses to feed
• Starts vomiting
• Is not passing stool or gas
• Has blood in their stool
• Has a bulge around the belly button that’s growing, feels hard, or is changing color