How to Care for an Umbilical Hernia in an Infant

The sudden appearance of a bulge in your infant’s abdomen is frightening. When the protrusion is located at the site of the navel, it is probably an umbilical hernia, and while you should definitely see your doctor right away, chances are that it will cause no long-term problems. Your baby’s physician will diagnose the risk level. Read on to learn how to care for an umbilical hernia in an infant.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Call your physician if this is the first time you’ve noticed the bulge in your infant’s abdomen. It is important to rule out other causes, such as an omphalocele, where the intestines extend into the umbilical cord, creating a medical emergency.
2. Care for your infant’s umbilical hernia after diagnosis by monitoring the protrusion and notifying your doctor if it increases in size. Most umbilical hernias, although unsightly, gradually go away by themselves.
3. Allow your infant to wear loose comfortable clothing. The old advice about binding an infant’s abdomen to reduce the bulge of an umbilical hernia doesn’t work. Alternately, restricting your baby’s movement with tape or wraps will cause discomfort or even pain.
4. Notice if your infant’s hernia swells unexpectedly or becomes discolored. This signals an emergency and you must call your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately. Very rarely will bowel strangulation occur in conjunction with an umbilical hernia but if it does, it is an emergency.
5. Care for your child after surgery if your doctor feels it is necessary to re-situate the intestine. Administer pain medication as prescribed. In fewer than 10 percent of umbilical hernia cases, surgery corrects the problem and the child feels fine within 12 hours, experiencing only minimal pain at the incision site.
6. Sponge bathe your baby for the first few days after surgery. You may return to tub bathing after three days.
7. Leave the small piece of surgical tape on the incision. It will gradually fall off on its own. Change the bulkier dressings every day as instructed by your physician.