Henry Okafor
About 20 percent of all newborns have an “outie,” also called an umbilical hernia. The abdomen’s opening typically closes on its own after birth as the umbilical cord heals and detaches. When there is increased abdominal pressure, as there is during bowel movements or crying, the opening occasionally doesn’t close, and you might notice a bulging belly button. As long as the baby is comfortable and the area is not tender or noticeably swollen, the hernia usually poses no issues, despite the fact that it may appear impressive. It’s not a problem as long as the bulge is soft and compressible and isn’t hurting your child. The majority of these hernias resolve within 12 to 18 months, and surgery to repair the hole is rarely required.
Call your doctor right away if you do experience any swelling, soreness, or discolouration in the vicinity. In extremely rare circumstances, a piece of the infant’s intestine may become wedged in the incision, preventing blood supply to the area and necessitating emergency surgery. Vomiting and constipation may also be signs of this issue.
