Umbilical Hernia in a Newborn: Is That Belly Button Bulge Normal?
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A soft bulge at your baby's belly button is often an umbilical hernia. It happens when a small opening in the abdominal muscle beneath the belly button has not completely closed after birth.
Umbilical hernias are common and usually harmless. Most close on their own as children grow, and about 90% have closed by age 4.
A hernia that becomes firm, painful, red, tender, or stays stuck out when your baby is relaxed—especially with vomiting or refusal to feed—needs urgent medical evaluation.
- Umbilical hernias occur in about 1 in 5 newborns.
- The bulge often becomes more noticeable when a baby cries or strains.
- Crying does not cause the hernia.
- Most umbilical hernias do not hurt and close naturally as the abdominal muscles strengthen.
- About 90% close on their own by 4 years of age.
- Coins, tape, belly binders, and tight wraps do not make the hernia close and can damage the skin.
- A painful, red, firm, or trapped bulge with vomiting or poor feeding requires urgent evaluation.
Parents often first notice an umbilical hernia when their newborn cries.
The belly button suddenly seems to push outward, sometimes quite dramatically, and then becomes much smaller again when the baby relaxes.
That appearance can be startling, but in most babies an umbilical hernia is not dangerous.
What matters is understanding why the bulge happens, what normal behavior looks like, and which rare changes mean your baby should be evaluated right away.
What Is an Umbilical Hernia?
Before birth, the umbilical cord passes through a small opening in your baby's abdominal muscles.
After birth, that opening normally closes as the abdominal wall develops.
In some babies, a small opening remains. Tissue from inside the abdomen can then push outward beneath the skin of the belly button.
That bulge is an umbilical hernia.
How Common Are Umbilical Hernias?
They are very common.
Current HealthyChildren guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that approximately 1 in 5 newborns develops an umbilical hernia.
In most cases, the hernia causes no problems and gradually closes as the child grows.
Why Does the Hernia Get Bigger When My Baby Cries?
Crying increases pressure inside the abdomen.
That pressure temporarily pushes tissue outward through the small opening beneath the belly button, making the hernia easier to see.
The same thing may happen when your baby strains during a bowel movement.
When your baby relaxes, the pressure decreases and the bulge may become much smaller or disappear almost completely.
Crying does not cause the hernia and does not prevent it from healing.
Parents understandably focus on how far the belly button sticks out.
But the appearance of the bulge is not what best predicts whether the hernia will close. The size of the opening in the abdominal muscle underneath is more important than how large the belly button looks on the outside.
Does an Umbilical Hernia Hurt?
Most uncomplicated umbilical hernias do not hurt.
The bulge may look large when a baby cries, but the baby is usually crying for another reason rather than because the hernia itself is painful.
A painless bulge that comes and goes and becomes smaller when the baby relaxes is generally reassuring.
A hernia that suddenly becomes painful, tender, hard, red, or persistently stuck out is different and needs prompt medical attention.
Will the Hernia Close on Its Own?
Usually, yes.
HealthyChildren reports that about 90% of childhood umbilical hernias close naturally by age 4.
Some close much sooner, including during infancy or the toddler years.
Because spontaneous closure is so common and complications are rare, pediatricians usually recommend observation rather than surgery during early childhood.
Does My Baby Need Surgery?
Usually not during infancy.
If an uncomplicated umbilical hernia remains open as a child approaches about 4 years of age, your pediatrician may discuss referral to a pediatric surgeon.
Surgery may also be considered earlier in unusual circumstances, particularly if the hernia develops a complication.
The decision depends on the size of the opening, the child's age, symptoms, and the pediatric surgeon's assessment.
- Observe the hernia during normal diaper changes and bathing.
- Notice whether the bulge becomes smaller when your baby is relaxed.
- Keep routine newborn and well-child visits so your pediatrician can follow the hernia over time.
- Do not tape the belly button down.
- Do not place a coin over the hernia.
- Do not use a tight abdominal binder or wrap in an attempt to push the hernia back inside.
- Call your pediatrician if the appearance or behavior of the hernia changes.
Should I Put a Coin or Tape Over the Hernia?
No.
Older home remedies sometimes involved placing a coin over the belly button and securing it with tape or wrapping the abdomen tightly.
These methods do not make the abdominal muscle close faster.
They can also irritate or injure your baby's delicate skin.
The safest approach for an uncomplicated umbilical hernia is usually simple observation.
What Does It Mean If the Hernia Gets Stuck?
Very rarely, tissue from inside the abdomen can become trapped in the hernia.
Doctors call this an incarcerated hernia.
Instead of becoming smaller when your baby relaxes, the bulge may remain persistently present and may become firm or tender.
Your baby may appear uncomfortable, vomit, or refuse to eat.
Incarceration requires immediate medical evaluation.
What Is a Strangulated Hernia?
Strangulation is an even rarer complication.
It occurs when trapped tissue loses part of its blood supply.
The baby may have significant pain, vomiting, poor feeding, fever, and a belly-button bulge that becomes very tender or red.
This is a surgical emergency.
When Should I Call My Pediatrician?
Contact your pediatrician if:
- You notice a new belly-button bulge and are unsure whether it is an umbilical hernia.
- The hernia is becoming noticeably larger or changing in appearance.
- Your baby seems uncomfortable around the belly button.
- The bulge does not seem to become smaller when your baby relaxes.
- You have questions about whether the hernia is closing normally.
Most umbilical hernias can be diagnosed simply by examining your baby. Imaging such as ultrasound is only occasionally needed.
When Is an Umbilical Hernia an Emergency?
Seek urgent medical evaluation if the belly-button bulge:
- Suddenly becomes firm or hard.
- Stays stuck out even when your baby is calm.
- Becomes very tender or appears painful.
- Turns red or develops concerning discoloration.
Also seek urgent care if your baby develops:
- Vomiting
- Refusal to feed
- Severe or unusual crying suggesting pain
- A swollen or increasingly distended abdomen
- Fever
- Marked sleepiness, weakness, or poor responsiveness
- Any appearance of being seriously ill
These symptoms can rarely indicate that tissue has become trapped inside the hernia or that its blood supply is compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did my baby's crying cause the hernia?
No. Crying makes an existing hernia more visible because pressure inside the abdomen increases, but crying does not create the opening in the abdominal wall.
Does a big belly-button bulge mean the hernia is severe?
Not necessarily. The size of the muscle opening beneath the belly button is more important than how far the skin bulges outward.
Can I push the hernia back in?
There is generally no need to repeatedly push on an uncomplicated umbilical hernia. Your pediatrician can examine the bulge and confirm that it behaves normally.
Will my baby have an “outie” forever?
Not necessarily. The appearance of the belly button can change considerably as the hernia closes and your child grows.
Does an umbilical hernia affect feeding or digestion?
An uncomplicated umbilical hernia usually does not affect feeding or digestion. Vomiting, refusal to eat, significant pain, or abdominal swelling are not typical and require medical evaluation.
When will my pediatrician consider surgery?
Most children are observed because spontaneous closure is common. If the hernia remains open around age 4, or if complications occur, your pediatrician may recommend evaluation by a pediatric surgeon.
Umbilical hernias are a perfect example of something that can look dramatic but usually behaves very quietly.
If the bulge comes and goes, your baby is comfortable, and everything else is normal, observation is usually all that is needed.
What changes the picture is a hernia that becomes stuck, firm, painful, red, or associated with vomiting or poor feeding.
Clear Answers for Your Baby's First Months
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Join the Parent Club →References & Medical Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Umbilical Hernia in Babies & Children
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Umbilical Cord Care in Newborns
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Umbilical Hernia Surgery
Related Parent Resources
Find more pediatric guidance about belly-button care, feeding, diapers, skin, and other common newborn concerns in our Newborn Care Library →
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your child's pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional. Most umbilical hernias are harmless and close naturally, but a hernia that becomes firm, persistently trapped, painful, tender, red, or associated with vomiting, poor feeding, abdominal swelling, fever, marked sleepiness, weakness, or an ill-appearing baby requires prompt medical evaluation. If you believe your baby is experiencing an emergency, seek immediate medical care.