Question
My 15-day-old baby’s scab over the navel fell off today with a small amount of thickened discharge. When my baby cries, the navel protrudes. What is happening? I’m in a hurry. This is the first time I’ve encountered this situation. Is it serious? Do I need to see a doctor?
Answer
Since the abdominal muscles of the infant have not yet fully grown and developed, the navel ring is not fully self-locking. If the infant exerts increased abdominal pressure, the intestines may protrude through the weak navel ring, forming a hernia. If the baby has a hernia, it is important to try to reduce opportunities for increased abdominal pressure, such as avoiding letting the baby cry excessively. It is also recommended to adjust the baby’s diet to avoid pain or constipation. Small hernias, if the diameter is less than 1.5 cm, usually heal on their own by the time they are two years old as their abdominal muscles grow and develop. Given that infant hernias rarely occur again, non-surgical treatment can be considered first, such as using adhesive tape to wrap the abdominal wall to prevent the hernia from protruding. This involves applying a wide strip of adhesive tape to pull the abdominal wall towards the midline and secure it to prevent the hernia from protruding. This method can help the navel area heal and lock on its own over time. Replace the adhesive tape weekly, and if there are skin irritations, consider switching to an abdominal belt with appropriate ventilation for repackaging. If the hernia is severe but not too large, an adhesive bandage can be used with a one-yuan coin wrapped in cloth and sewn together, then sewn onto a loose elastic bandage. The coin part is placed against the navel, and the whole thing is tied around the baby’s body. This method will eventually lead to complete recovery.