A belly button or a navel is a depression in the person’s belly. It is formed when the umbilical cord of the newborn is cut and clamped soon after delivery, dries, and falls within a few days. Babies can have an innie or outie belly button, also known as the umbilicus. While the majority of newborns have an innie umbilicus, a few may have an outie. Keep reading this post to learn how an outie develops, if it’s normal to have an outie navel, and tips to take care of your belly button.
What Is An Outie Belly Button?
An outie belly button is the one that protrudes. Usually, the belly button moves inside and is called an innie. An outie looks like a tiny balloon. It blows out when the baby is crying, laughing, coughing, or has bowel movements. This is because of the increased pressure from inside the abdomen. It shrinks when the baby is relaxing.
Why Does Your Newborn Have An Outie Belly Button?
Outies are usually caused due to two reasons:
Outie Due To Umbilical Hernia
The umbilical hernia is formed due to weak spots in the muscle wall around the abdomen of the baby. Inside the mother’s womb, the umbilical cord connects through the baby’s abdomen. Once the baby comes out and the cord is cut, an opening is formed at the place, which gets sealed with the help of the muscles. In some cases, the muscles don’t seal it completely, creating a small hole. Hernia occurs when a part of the intestine bulges out through the weak spot in the muscles.
Symptoms Of Serious Umbilical Hernia
Hernia is usually harmless, and your baby will not have any pain. However, in rare cases, the intestine gets stuck in the hole, which may lead to infection. If you notice these symptoms, take your baby to a doctor immediately (2):
Pain around the belly button Change in the color around the hernia Swelling in the region Vomiting Fever
When Does A Baby’s Belly Button Go In?
An outie cannot become an innie but it does go in once the muscles in the abdomen grow stronger and the hole gets healed by itself. The hole usually closes within 12 to 18 months but takes longer if it is bigger. The physician can assess how small or big the hole is and assess if the hernia will resolve and close within a few months. Small umbilical hernias close by one year of age. Irrespective of the size, the hernia closes by the time the child turns five years ( 3).
Surgery For Umbilical Hernia
Surgery is required if:
the hole does not close by the age of five. the intestine is stuck in the opening and intestinal obstruction may occur. the hernia is growing bigger as the child grows.
The surgery is a simple procedure that takes around 20 to 30 minutes. The doctor will make a small incision at the umbilicus and push the protruded part/tissue inside. They will then stitch together the opening in the abdomen wall. The procedure is done under general anesthesia (1).
How To Take Care Of Your Newborn’s Belly Button Area?
Your baby’s belly button needs to be dry and free of any infection. Here is how you can take care of the area (5):
Keep the base dry because a dryer cord falls sooner than a wet one. Clean the base of the cord with a cotton swab every time you change your baby’s nappy. Do not cover the area with the nappy. Fold the nappy down. Covering up the cord with the nappy could result in infection due to lack of air circulation and the baby’s urine. Earlier, pediatricians used to suggest cleaning of the region with alcohol, but the practice is not being encouraged now. Never try to remove the cord forcefully. Let it fall off naturally. Use a mild soap to clean the area. Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable soap. Give a sponge bath to your baby in the initial days to avoid wetting the cord.
Infection Of Baby’s Belly Button
The belly button of your baby could be infected if (5):
yellow or white pus oozes from it. the base is red or swollen. the cord is bleeding. there is pain in the navel.
Signs of infection of the umbilical cord stump could result in a life-threatening infection called omphalitis. Omphalitis is a local infection of the umbilicus but can spread in the body. This is a serious condition, which needs to be treated immediately.
When Should You Call The Doctor?
Watch out for these signs of infection and call your pediatrician immediately:
Foul smell from the area Yellow sticky discharge from the area Swelling, tenderness or redness in the skin around the area High fever Weakness or excessive drowsiness Not interested in being fed or feeding very little Skin appears to look saggy and floppy around the area
Contrary to popular belief, an outie is not formed due to the faulty cutting or clamping of the cord. It is due to weakness in the abdominal muscle. Moreover, it could be a health hazard if the germs on the coin pass on to the baby and can lead to intestinal obstruction. Also, never try to press back the belly button of your newborn. It may be soft but will not go inside if you push it. In fact, the pressure could harm the baby’s abdomen. In the case of slight bleeding, clean the area and press the navel with a clean cloth for ten minutes to stop the flow. If it does not stop, visit a doctor.
