Umbilical Hernias

[hgonzalez]

I have a new infant in my care. She has a large, soft umbilical hernia. When she is crying it almost looks like she has another big soft lump under the hernia.

The umbilical hernia is about the size of a quarter, but the underneath part is about the size of a large marshmallow.

Do these hernias cause pain at all? She is a terrible napper and I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with this?

[Unregistered]

Hi! My daughter has one and it sounds like the exact appearance and size you're describing. She is 11 months old now. It has never caused her pain or discomfort. Sometimes it does appear to bulge if she is crying or laughing but it never seems to hurt. Her pediatrician examines it every time we visit and never mentions an issue with it. I wouldn't worry about it but just keep an eye on it. If it starts looking red or causes her to cry when touching it, she needs to go to the ER. Otherwise, it shouldn't pose a problem.

This is my experience and what I've been told by our pediatrician so please take it for what it's worth. I haven't actually seen the child in your care. Good luck!

[sharlan]

I had a little girl with one. It really scared me. It would really pop out when she threw a fit. I kept asking dcm about it, but Dr insisted it would go away on its own.

The older she got, the bigger it got.

Finally at 18 mos I told dcm it had to be repaired or she would have to find other care. The liability seemed to big for me. She had surgery two weeks later.

[Unregistered]

Finally at 18 mos I told dcm it had to be repaired or she would have to find other care. The liability seemed to big for me. She had surgery two weeks later.

I posted above about my daughter having one. There is no liability. My daughter will have to have surgery when she's four or five to correct it if it does not correct itself, but it's mostly cosmetic.

If you're very concerned, just ask for a note from the pediatrician explaining the situation. I wouldn't rely on people in this forum who don't have any medical expertise.

[Second Home]

My son had groin hernias ( both sides , though you only noticed it on one side),we first noticed it at about a month old .You could see a huge lump sometimes 4-5 inches long under his skin .Sometimes it would totally disappear only to pop back out again.

We were told that it needed to be corrected as the intestine could twist upon itself and die .

Now maybe because of the size and location made it different .

[sharlan]

My son had groin hernias ( both sides , though you only noticed it on one side),we first noticed it at about a month old .You could see a huge lump sometimes 4-5 inches long under his skin .Sometimes it would totally disappear only to pop back out again.

We were told that it needed to be corrected as the intestine could twist upon itself and die .

Now maybe because of the size and location made it different .

That was my concern. When she would throw a fit it would look like a mini ping pong ball sticking out. It must have been more serious than dcm was letting on or it wouldn't have been pushed from pedi to surgeon to surgery in two weeks.

I am not offering medical advice, just my experience with one child.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Clearly I am not a child but I get them when pregnant.
My midwives have me closely monitor it for any color changes as a brown/green-ish color means trouble and I'd need to go to the hospital immediately. They're concerned about my intestines getting trapped. Mine hurts me unless I have outward pressure pushing it back in. I'd imagine they aren't pleasant for a child but I have no idea!

[hwichlaz]

Umbilical hernias are common in infants and pose very little risk. They generally clear up on their own. A generation ago, doctors would put a quarter over it and tape it down to keep it in. :P This didn't seem to hasten the healing process so they discontinued the practice.

There is no liability to you. You didn't cause it. But I might ask for a note from the doctor to show due diligence.

[sahm1225]

I agree about getting a letter from the doctor, but they typically won't do surgery until the kid is over 5, mostly because a lot of times they resolve on their own.

My dd is 5 1/2 and it's still there but not as bad. It would get huge when she would cry! Now it's mostly flat but every once in a while it's obvious

[sharlan]

I agree about getting a letter from the doctor, but they typically won't do surgery until the kid is over 5, mostly because a lot of times they resolve on their own.

My dd is 5 1/2 and it's still there but not as bad. It would get huge when she would cry! Now it's mostly flat but every once in a while it's obvious

My dcg's was not getting smaller as she grew, it was getting larger. Rarely was it flat.

[daycarediva]

I posted above about my daughter having one. There is no liability. My daughter will have to have surgery when she's four or five to correct it if it does not correct itself, but it's mostly cosmetic.

If you're very concerned, just ask for a note from the pediatrician explaining the situation. I wouldn't rely on people in this forum who don't have any medical expertise.

Having had hernias, they are quite painful at certain times. Regardless of prevalence and commonality, there IS some risk to having a hernia.

I would ask for a pediatrician's note that would list symptoms of complications for the child's file.

[hwichlaz]

Having had hernias, they are quite painful at certain times. Regardless of prevalence and commonality, there IS some risk to having a hernia.

I would ask for a pediatrician's note that would list symptoms of complications for the child's file.

This type of hernia doesn't cause pain or discomfort unless it becomes kinked or infected...then it needs surgery right away.