The navel (umbilicus) is located in the middle of the white line of the abdomen. This is a retracted scar at the site of the umbilical ring, which passed the germinal urinary duct, two arteries (aa. umbilicales) and one vein (v. umbilicalis) of the embryo. The umbilical ring with a diameter of 0.7-1 cm is limited by the edge of the white line of the abdomen. In the region of the ring there is only skin, transverse fascia and peritoneum, fused with each other due to the absence of connective tissue layers. The umbilical ring may be the site of an umbilical hernia.

Internal fascia of the abdomen (f. endoabdominalis). Lining the transverse abdominal muscle from the inside, it is described as the transverse fascia (f. transversa abdominis). The fascia is thickened at the umbilicus and becomes more pronounced at the inguinal ligaments. Preperitoneal fiber is more pronounced in the lower section and closer to the lower back. Pass through the fiber with their main trunks a. epigastrica inferior and a. circumflexa ilium profunda. They are accompanied by the veins of the same name.

The parietal peritoneum is the last layer of the abdominal wall. At the top, it continues to the diaphragm and below it descends into the pelvic cavity. On the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall, the peritoneum forms folds and depressions. Three folds are defined between the navel and bladder. One is located along the midline of the body and is directed to the top of the bladder - the median umbilical (plicae umbilicalis mediana), the rest follow the lateral surfaces of the bladder - the middle umbilical (plicae umbilicales mediales). The first fold contains an overgrown urinary duct, the other two contain obliterated umbilical arteries (Fig. 130). Outward from the last folds, focusing on the middle of the inguinal ligaments, there is one more fold of the peritoneum - the lateral umbilical (plica umbilicalis lateralis), (containing the lower epigastric vessels (a. et v. epigastricae inferior). At the lower border of the anterior abdominal wall, there are five mentioned folds peritoneum form paired depressions, or fossae.Supravesical pits (fossae supravesicales) are limited by the median and middle umbilical folds.Medium inguinal fossae (fossae inguinales media) are located between the middle and lateral umbilical folds of the peritoneum.External inguinal pits (fossa inguinales lateralis) lie outward from the lateral umbilical fold, correspond to the internal opening of the inguinal canal.

Rice. 130. Anterior wall of the abdomen. View from the side of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum and transverse fascia were removed on the right. 1 - m. transverse abdominis; 2 - m. rectus abdominis; 5-a. epigastrica Inferior and plica umbilicale lateralis; 4-lig. inguinalis; 5 - bone; 6-a. femoralis; 7-v. femoralis; 8 - ductus deferens; 9-lig. umbilicalis lateralis and plica umbilicale media; 10 - bladder; 11 - incision line of the peritoneum; 12 - plica umbilicale mediana; 13 - fossa supravesicalis; 14 - fossa inguinalis medialis; 15 - fossa inguinalis lateralis; 16 - navel.

Such a pathology as an enlarged umbilical ring, under the age of 5 years, as a rule, is successfully treated with an abdominal wall massage. If the massage does not lead to the disappearance of the umbilical hernia, you have to do an operation. In the same way, an umbilical hernia is treated with an operation in children older than 5 years and in adults.

Why the umbilical ring in children can expand

The widely held opinion among people ignorant of medicine that the occurrence of an umbilical hernia somehow depends on the method of processing the umbilical cord is just a myth.

A few days after birth, the umbilical cord that connected the fetus to the placenta falls off. The umbilical ring closes tightly, overgrown with connective tissue. However, this process takes some time. If, for some reason, the intraperitoneal pressure in the child's body increases before the umbilical ring closes tightly, a hernia may form. This is mainly due to a genetic predisposition - the so-called "hereditary weakness of the peritoneal fascia." If one of the parents of the child had in childhood, then with a very high probability (almost 70%, according to medical statistics) he will have such a pathology.

An umbilical hernia can also develop due to increased gas formation in the intestines, frequent and severe crying, constipation, and a number of other reasons.

If you notice some defect in the umbilical ring, be sure to show it to the surgeon. 10 minutes before feeding the baby, lay him belly down on a flat, hard surface.

For what reasons can there be an umbilical hernia in adults

An umbilical hernia can also occur in adulthood. This is due to excess weight, heavy physical exertion, injuries, postoperative scars on the abdomen. That is why some people are recommended to wear a bandage after surgery.

Also, an umbilical hernia can be caused by some diseases accompanied by a strong prolonged cough or accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity - for example, ascites (dropsy).

In women, umbilical hernia occurs much more often than in men. This is due to the anatomical and physiological differences in the female body. Pregnancy plays a particularly important role in the formation of an umbilical hernia, especially in the later stages, when intra-abdominal pressure increases sharply, the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall weaken, and the umbilical ring is greatly stretched.

The divergence of the umbilical ring is a condition caused by a change in the position of the muscle fibers. Pathology may be the first sign of the formation of an umbilical hernia, but does not always lead to it. At the same time, expansion with protrusion already indicates the formation of this disease. According to ICD 10, the umbilical hernia code is K42, but the extension of the umbilical ring as an independent disease does not have such a code.

Causes of umbilical hernia in children and adults

The reasons for the expansion of the ring and the formation of a hernia in infants and adults are different. In children, the main factors causing pathology are:

• Incorrect development of the anterior abdominal wall or underdevelopment of the fibers. This condition is caused by various reasons, including infections in a woman, constant exposure to toxic substances on the mother's body, or overexertion during pregnancy.
• High pressure inside the peritoneum. In this case, the hernia is not considered a congenital pathology, it is formed in the first year of life (most often a few weeks after birth) due to intense, frequent crying and screaming.
• Weakness of the umbilical ring and connective tissue dysplasia. These are congenital pathologies that may appear later than a year after birth.

In adults, the divergence of the umbilical ring and the formation of a hernia is due to a wide range of reasons:

• difficult childbirth and pregnancy;
• repeated bearing of a child;
• multiple pregnancy;
• operations localized in the peritoneum;
• injuries of the abdomen and anterior abdominal wall;
• adhesive processes and scarring of the tissue;
• prolonged cough;
• constipation and tension during bowel movements;
• excessive physical activity;
• ascites (often occurs with cirrhosis);
• obesity or a sharp weight loss of 10 or more kilograms;
• decreased muscle tone due to lack of exercise.

There are factors that predispose to excessive divergence of the umbilical ring, followed by the formation of a hernia. Similar violations are observed in women who become pregnant after 35-40 years. Some professions can provoke the disease, for example, playing wind instruments.

Most of the causes of discrepancy and umbilical hernia are associated with a violation of muscle tone in the peritoneum. In adults and children, they can be both congenital and acquired. And the disease can develop at any age.

Symptoms of the onset of a hernia

Only a doctor can determine the discrepancy of the ring in a newborn or adult. Not always pathology is immediately accompanied by such a symptom as prolapse of the navel.

The normal umbilical ring has a fairly high density. It is narrow, and if you insert a finger there, it will immediately hit the wall without penetrating into the abdominal cavity. With the development of pathological processes, the ring becomes much wider, and the tone of the navel decreases. The tip of the index finger easily passes through it. An umbilical hernia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• pain - does not occur in all cases, but if it does, it can radiate to the navel, lower back and along the spinal column;
• protrusion always occurs with a hernia, but may be absent if the ring has just begun to expand;
• in the first stages, the drop-out pouch is easily reduced and has a soft texture;
• the size of the hernia depends on the duration of the course of the disease.

If the pouch is infringed, acute symptoms occur: problems with stools, severe pain in the navel area, high fever, nausea and weakness, loss of appetite. After the infringement, complications can begin.

Diagnosis of the disease

The surgeon can recognize an umbilical hernia at the first examination, as well as establish the presence of an expansion of the umbilical ring. The patient cannot diagnose these pathologies on his own.

Ultrasound, X-ray and laboratory tests are necessary to exclude hidden complications, inflammatory and infectious processes. They are most often prescribed for suspected complications.

Complications of an umbilical hernia

Complications of umbilical protrusion begin only with a long course of pathology. The primary consequence is a pinched hernia, due to which adverse symptoms develop, the patient's well-being worsens. In adults, infringement is quite rare, inguinal and femoral hernias are significantly ahead of it in terms of indicators. Due to the squeezing of the sac by the hernial orifice, necrosis of the tissues that have fallen into this formation is formed.

The next complication that occurs regardless of the infringement is a secondary infection. It covers that part of the organ that got into the hernial sac. Patients whose hernia covers the intestinal loops face such a consequence as coprostasis.

The prolonged course of the disease causes pain shock, sometimes intestinal obstruction and peritonitis develop. The most advanced stages can lead to coma, but this consequence is extremely rare.

The lack of timely diagnosis and adequate treatment is the main factor in the occurrence of hernia complications. If the patient has felt painful tingling in the navel area, or there are suspicions of the expansion of the umbilical ring, he needs to consult a surgeon or therapist.

Treatment Methods

In children from birth to 1 year old, active-expectant treatment is used, which includes:

• constant monitoring of the state of the navel;
• the use of support bandages;
• operation in case of ineffective containment measures.

In adults and older children, the only effective treatment for an umbilical hernia is surgery. With its help, the surgeon selects the hernial sac and returns its contents back into the abdominal cavity. Then a special mesh is installed that restrains the hernial ring. The operation is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the patient's condition.

The rehabilitation period is 6 months, the first weeks it is necessary to observe bed rest.

If a hernia occurs in parallel with multiple malformations in a newborn child, the prognosis will be unfavorable. Early surgery or restraining therapy can help repair a hernia without recurrence. Adults tolerate surgery well, in the absence of associated complications, the risk of recurrence is unlikely.

Prevention of ring expansion and hernia

To avoid stretching the umbilical ring in a child, the mother must take a responsible attitude to the course of pregnancy, follow the doctor's recommendations and refuse to use hazardous substances or live in an area with a high risk of chemical poisoning. Immediately after birth, the child is prescribed gymnastics and massage to protect against the expansion of the umbilical ring.

In adults, the methods of prevention include the following points:

• you need to engage in moderate exercise and eat right so that there is normal digestion;
• during pregnancy, they wear a supportive bandage and perform preventive exercises so that there is no discrepancy after the birth of the child;
• monitor weight, obesity is not allowed;
• in the presence of diseases that cause cough, any infections immediately begin to treat them.

To avoid relapse after surgery, the patient must adhere to all the recommendations of the doctor.

An umbilical hernia, which often forms after an annulus expands, is treatable. However, the advanced course of the disease can lead to complications. If you visit a doctor and follow his recommendations, unpleasant consequences can be avoided.

In this article:

The displacement of some internal organs in the abdominal cavity beyond the navel ring leads to the diagnosis of an umbilical hernia in a newborn. This pathology occurs in every fifth baby born as a result of a normal pregnancy and childbirth, and in every third baby who was born prematurely.

An umbilical hernia diagnosed in infants is the most common surgical disease in the 1st year of a child's life. It is worth noting that minor defects in the umbilical ring are observed in almost all newborns.

The structure of the umbilical hernia

It is important for parents to understand what an umbilical hernia is if it is found in a baby. In the central part of the abdomen is the umbilical ring, consisting of ligaments. It was thanks to him that during pregnancy the child received nutrition and oxygen through the mother's umbilical cord. After childbirth, the umbilical cord is tied up, its vessels should normally tighten, and the ring itself should close and heal with connective tissue.

If this does not happen, the internal organs (usually the omentum and intestinal loops) begin to protrude through it from the inside. A similar situation can occur with a mother: if during pregnancy the umbilical ring stretches and weakens, a hernia after or ordinary is guaranteed.

After childbirth, all children have a weak and not completely overgrown umbilical ring, so slight visual signs of a navel hernia in a newborn will be noticeable. But in most children, this condition quickly and independently passes within 1 month, while others are diagnosed and prescribed the necessary treatment to prevent infringement of the umbilical hernia in newborns.

The reasons

The main reasons that result in an umbilical hernia in an infant are associated with anatomically weak tissues in the navel area. But if there are predisposing factors, the disease develops more often.

These include:

• baby deficit at birth;
• genetic predisposition;
• frequent conditions during which intra-abdominal pressure increases (crying, etc.);
• weak muscle tone, characteristic of rickets;
• gender: umbilical hernia in newborn boys is diagnosed less frequently than among girls .

Many parents believe that the disease is preceded by improper bandaging of the umbilical cord immediately after childbirth. This is just a myth, since this action cannot in any way affect muscle weakness and expansion of the umbilical ring.

Anatomical features

Hernia in infants is of two types - congenital and acquired.

Congenital pathology develops as a result of the anatomical features of the child's body. Some children are born with connective tissue dysplasia. The muscles and tissues of the umbilical ring and the abdominal wall in such children are also weak. Therefore, in newborns, an umbilical hernia develops, which requires treatment.

Acquired hernia is formed against the background of frequent tension of the abdominal wall, when the internal organs are affected by increased intra-abdominal pressure. In this case, compliance with preventive measures will help get rid of the alleged development of umbilical hernia in newborns.

Causes of long non-closure of the umbilical ring

If a child cries for a long time and often, suffers from constipation and bloating, his tummy is in constant tension. The same condition often occurs in infants when it is summer outside and the baby reacts to the heat with pronounced anxiety. Increased intra-abdominal pressure prevents the normal contraction of the umbilical ring, which means that loops of the intestine or omentum may be in it. In this case, young parents can see what an umbilical hernia looks like in newborns with the naked eye.

To prevent this, it is necessary to pay more attention to the child, to avoid prolonged crying. At the first signs of protrusion, treatment should not be carried out at home, especially using a conspiracy that does not have a therapeutic effect. The presence of signs of the disease must be reported to the doctor, who will give appropriate recommendations.

Symptoms

An umbilical hernia in infants is determined as early as 1 month of life. The navel, which sticks forward, is visible to the naked eye, however, in some babies this is just an anatomical feature called the "skin navel". In order not to confuse this condition with a true disease, parents should know the umbilical hernia in infants.

So, the symptoms of a navel hernia in a child will be as follows:

• protrusion of a rounded shape in the area of ​​the umbilical ring, easily set back, its diameter varies between 1-10 cm;
• when the baby is relaxed, the pathology is most often invisible, but it is worth straining the abdominal wall, as the disease returns again;
• the child is restless, weather-sensitive;
• the hernia itself in a child does not cause pain, but is often accompanied by flatulence, which leads to excessive anxiety of the baby.

If, against the background of this disease, there is a pronounced bloating, pain, general weakness, nausea and vomiting, most likely, we are talking about a complication of an umbilical hernia in infants - coprostasis. In this case, there is an accumulation of feces in the intestines, which cause serious discomfort to the child. You need to see a doctor urgently.

How to determine the presence of an umbilical hernia?

Outwardly, the navel looks enlarged, and during the crying of the child, it becomes even larger. When pressed, it goes inside the abdominal cavity, and a specific gurgling appears. According to these signs, the mother herself can determine the presence of a hernia in the baby.

The final diagnosis is made by a pediatrician or surgeon during the examination of the child. If the situation is running, additional diagnostic methods are prescribed - radiography, ultrasound, herniography, which are necessary before surgical treatment.

Treatment

An umbilical hernia in a newborn requires mandatory treatment under the supervision of a doctor. Choosing tactics, the specialist takes as a basis the size and symptoms of an umbilical hernia in infants. If the protrusion is larger than 2 cm, surgery is necessary. Also, the doctor may suggest massage, wearing a bandage and an umbilical hernia patch for newborns. How to treat an umbilical hernia?

Massage

If the pathology is mild, the specialist will offer observation and will not rush with surgical treatment. Simple with umbilical hernia in newborns, performed by a professional, gives good results.

Movements during the procedure should be light, without physical effort and pressure in the following directions:

• clockwise;
• counter;
• along the oblique muscles.

These movements must be supplemented by rubbing the abdomen and weak tucks around the umbilical ring. Also, during the massage, light soothing strokes should be performed.

Laying out on the tummy

Prevention and treatment of umbilical hernia in newborns can be practiced in this simple way. Pediatricians recommend putting the baby on a hard surface on the stomach a quarter of an hour before feeding. Once in this position, the baby will be active, moving all parts of the body. At the same time, intra-abdominal pressure is markedly reduced due to the removal of gases. Systematic laying out on the tummy strengthens the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Surgery

An operation for an umbilical hernia in newborns is performed according to the following indications:

• an increase in protrusion in size (in children from 1 year old);
• infringement of a hernia;
• preservation of the diagnosis up to 5 years.

The main task of the operation is to remove the defect of the umbilical ring. The method is called hernioplasty. The doctor excised the hernial sac, sutures and strengthens the hernial orifice, returning the internal organs to the abdominal cavity. The operation lasts no more than half an hour. On the same day, in the absence of complications, the child can return home.

Folk methods

Among the popular folk methods for treating umbilical hernia in infants, a conspiracy stands out. Our ancestors believed that this pathology appears in children due to the influence of evil forces. The technique is as follows: after waking up the child, the mother needs to lightly bite the protrusion on her stomach and say the following conspiracy: “Hernia, I gnaw you, you have one tooth, and I have all seven, I will eat you.” Read the plot three times, each time spitting over your left shoulder.

To believe or not that treatment in this way will work on an umbilical hernia in newborns is everyone's business. But it is better to entrust the health of the child to professionals.

Also used bandage for umbilical hernia for newborns. This is a belt made of natural elastic fabric. The tool strengthens the abdominal muscles, contributing to the overgrowth of the umbilical ring. It is put on in the morning, after setting the hernial sac into the abdominal cavity, and worn during the day.

You can also purchase an umbilical hernia patch for newborns, which is sold at a pharmacy. A wide band of patch fixes the abdominal wall, allowing the protrusion to be repositioned. The patch is changed every 10 days. It is better to entrust the procedure of sticking the patch to the doctor.

Pinching

If the umbilical hernia in a newborn is pinched, it is urgent to go to the hospital. This condition is a complication of this disease - the internal organs that got into the umbilical ring were blocked in it as a result of a spasm. The blood vessels of the intestine are under pressure, they do not receive blood, the child's condition deteriorates sharply.

In addition to surgery, nothing can help with a pinched hernia. Fortunately, this complication is very rare.

Prevention

Proper care of the baby and the implementation of preventive measures can prevent the development of an umbilical hernia in a child under 1 year old, even if there is a predisposition to this disease.

So, what should be the prevention:

• preservation with the mother allows children to avoid digestive problems at the age of 1 year, namely, constipation, flatulence,;
• a nursing mother must comply, avoiding foods that cause flatulence in a child (grapes, beans, cabbage, etc.);
• you should not let the child cry for a long time and often, you need to protect him from colds, since crying and coughing increase intra-abdominal pressure, which means they can aggravate the symptoms of umbilical hernia in newborns.

Despite the fact that this disease is actually easily curable, the lack of preventive measures and the elementary ignorance of parents about what an umbilical hernia looks like in newborns, what to do and how to treat this condition can cause serious consequences. The most dangerous of them is the pinching of the hernial sac and the organs that were in it at that time. In the absence of the necessary treatment, this condition can result in necrosis and peritonitis, which is life-threatening for the child.

Useful video about umbilical hernia

Young mothers have heard from grandmothers more than once that babies should not cry for a long time, otherwise a hernia will appear. Is it possible? What is an umbilical hernia in newborns? How to determine it in your baby and is it dangerous? Which doctor should show the child and how to treat?

Causes of a hernia in a child

In adults, the concept of "hernia" is associated with severe pain, restriction of movement and the inevitable operation. But in newborns, everything is not so scary. Pathology occurs due to a defect in the muscles of the abdominal wall and an unclosed umbilical ring. The abdominal wall of a healthy child consists of: muscles, epidermis, subcutaneous fat, tendons and peritoneum. A hernia is formed in a weakened part of the muscle layer and tendons. Under intra-abdominal pressure, the weak point bulges outward, forming a hernial sac. It contains intestinal loops and peritoneum that interfere with healing.

Doctors divide the umbilical hernia into congenital and acquired. A baby may be born with no visible signs, but eventually develops an umbilical hernia. It is believed that the main factor of occurrence is heredity. If a father or mother had problems with the navel in childhood, then a hernia with a 70% probability may also appear in their son or daughter. Another opinion is an incorrectly cut off umbilical cord in a maternity hospital. But these are only assumptions, since cutting off the umbilical cord does not affect the development of the abdominal muscles.

The reasons why a congenital hernia develops:

• displacement of internal organs. There is not enough space for them inside, and part of the organ can get into the hernial sac;
• underdeveloped ligamentous apparatus or weakened muscles of the abdominal wall.

This happens with the wrong course of pregnancy, which negatively affects the physiological development of the fetus. A child may be born prematurely, lagging behind their peers in weight. Its abdominal wall does not have time to fully form and is easily damaged. If a woman has had a serious infectious disease during pregnancy or regularly drank alcohol, the risk of a hernia in a newborn increases significantly.

Acquired hernia occurs due to diseases such as:

• malnutrition, leading to weight loss and depletion of the body with malnutrition;
• dysentery - an acute form of poisoning;
• rickets with a lack of vitamin D;
• persistent cough of unknown nature;
• deficiency of collagen in the connective tissues, leading to the susceptibility of the navel to various influences.

In a newborn child, muscle tone is weakened, and connective tissue is poorly developed. Pressure of any nature (long crying, coughing fits) leads to the appearance of a hernia. Therefore, grandmothers who advise avoiding strong crying in newborns are right. Frequent constipation also leads to the occurrence of an umbilical hernia. The child, trying to get rid of the accumulated feces, pushes and strains, putting pressure on the navel.

How to identify an umbilical hernia in a baby

Almost 20% of newborns suffer from umbilical hernia. It is not difficult for an experienced surgeon or pediatrician to diagnose the disease. Even young parents can see that the navel sticks out when the child is crying or stressing. Over time, the hernia may increase in size.

What does an umbilical hernia look like?

• the skin around the navel slightly swells, redness is observed;
• if you press on the navel, you can hear a gurgling sound;
• when pressed, the protruding part easily falls into place and does not cause pain in the baby.

It is difficult to confuse external symptoms of an umbilical hernia with other pathologies. Formations can be from 1 cm to 4-5 cm and even more.

The doctor may prescribe additional studies:

• palpation, visual inspection;
• Ultrasound of the peritoneum and abdominal organs.

The umbilical ring does not close

During intrauterine development, the fetus receives nutrients through the umbilical cord. It is cut off at birth. Vessels should tighten immediately. The umbilical ring (muscles and ligaments located around the navel) is formed at the site of the umbilical cord, and is completely tightened in a month. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the baby. Sometimes healing lasts longer than 30 days, and in this place the baby may develop a hernia.

As the child grows, the umbilical ring can shrink on its own without surgery. In order for the recovery process to go faster, you need to consult a surgeon and follow all his instructions.

Is there a danger to the newborn

If there is no pinching of the umbilical hernia, nothing bothers the baby, which means that he is in order and, with a high probability, will quickly recover with the right approach.

An umbilical hernia becomes a threat to health and life when a child reaches 5 years of age. Until this time, operations are not performed.

Crying and screaming are not the result of a hernia, but the baby's reaction to gases, constipation, fatigue or hunger. Pain and discomfort can cause infringement - a complication requiring surgical intervention. The child will begin to worry sharply, he may vomit, the color of the hernia will change, it becomes denser and cannot be put back into place. This is dangerous for the child. This condition is fraught with intestinal necrosis. Parents with these symptoms need to call an ambulance.

Even in the absence of dangerous symptoms, if a bulge is detected, you need to go to the doctor. He will tell you in detail how to treat an umbilical hernia. The sooner the problem is identified, the sooner you can get rid of it, preventing complications. About 2/3 of all newborns get rid of a hernia without surgery by six months.

Hernia Treatment Methods

In medicine, there are several methods of treating newborns from umbilical hernia. The main ones are massages, bandage, physiotherapy exercises. Before feeding (to avoid regurgitation), the crumbs should be laid out on the stomach. The surface where the baby will lie should be sufficiently rigid and not sag under its weight. If this is a changing table, it is covered with a diaper, and the baby is not left alone for a second. Laying out on the tummy begins after the final healing of the umbilical wound.

How to massage

Massage for umbilical hernia in newborns is allowed from the second week of life. The first manipulation should be entrusted to a specialist. After several sessions, parents will get comfortable with simple movements and will be able to massage themselves at home.

• around the umbilical ring with an open palm make careful light movements in a clockwise direction;
• then stroke in a circle;
• lightly press on the bulge until it snaps into place;
• knead the hernia with the thumb in a clockwise direction;
• the abdominal muscles are massaged with horizontal and counter movements. Counter strokes are performed synchronously - with the left hand they lead up on the right side, and down on the left side with the right hand.

Hands should be dry, warm and clean, and movements should be smooth and easy to ensure maximum comfort and pleasure for the baby. During the massage, the baby should not cry. It can be distracted with toys or rattles. Exercises are repeated 10 times. Daily massage will speed up recovery and save the baby from the risk of complications.

Taping and bandaging

You can use modern means of treatment. This is a medical patch for an umbilical hernia, holding it in the umbilical ring and strengthening the abdominal wall, often used for newborns. For the first time, the gluing is carried out by a doctor, showing parents how to do it correctly. The patch is applied for 10 days, when the umbilical wound is completely healed. Then it changes to a new one. Three courses are enough for the pathology to disappear.

But for children's delicate skin, a patch is not the best option. It causes irritation and redness with prolonged use. Doctors advise purchasing a special bandage for umbilical hernia for newborns, which has the same properties as the patch, but without side effects. It is very comfortable for the chest. The wide elastic waistband prevents the navel from twisting and sticking out.

Help from surgeons

Surgery is indicated when:

• a hernia appeared from six months, and there was no hope for closure;
• education increases even after the child reaches the age of one;
• at 2 years, the bulge reached 1.5 cm and does not decrease;
• tissue damage or rupture has occurred.

Mother and child are placed in a hospital where the operation will be performed under general anesthesia.

Folk remedies

In the people there are many ways to get rid of a hernia in newborns.

• On the navel lay gauze soaked in sauerkraut juice. A piece of raw potato is laid out on gauze. The compress is covered with a diaper to provide warmth. The procedure is carried out twice a day. This treatment of umbilical hernia gives a positive result in many newborns.
• Treatment with clay, which is diluted with water and heated to 38 degrees. The cake is laid out on the baby's navel until it begins to dry out. Clay nourishes the skin, regenerates, saturating it with useful elements.
• A tablespoon of vinegar is diluted in a liter of water and gently poured onto the baby's tummy.
• The fern is known for its healing properties. Its leaves are poured with boiling water, and after a few minutes they are rolled up and spread on the stomach. The compress is placed twice a day for 3 hours. It is advisable to tie a warm scarf on top or wrap the baby in a diaper.
• Milk whey is heated to body temperature. A piece of fabric is wetted and squeezed out a little in it. It is laid out on the navel of a newborn baby to saturate the skin with useful substances.
• A copper nickel is treated with iodine and applied to the baby's navel. The application is fixed with a regular plaster. When swimming, the coin is removed.

Doctors do not prohibit the use of these methods, but the therapy will be successful in combination with massage and gymnastics.

How to prevent the appearance of an umbilical hernia

In order for the newborn to get stronger faster, and the umbilical hernia does not form, it is important to provide him with proper care.

• The baby needs to organize good nutrition and save him from constipation, colic, and increased gas formation. A nursing mother should refrain from dyes and products prohibited during breastfeeding, drinking alcohol, and smoking. The diet should include healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
• It is necessary to strengthen the abdominal muscles by laying the baby on the tummy for 10-15 minutes daily. Nearby you can put a bright toy that will interest him. The little one will gladly raise his head and try to crawl to the desired object.
• Carry out massage and gymnastics;
• Avoid violent crying and tantrums.
• Do not miss visits to the district pediatrician. At the first symptoms, show the baby to the doctor.

Infringement of organs can be avoided by starting treatment on time.