Can an umbilical hernia be seen as a bulge?

Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
Updated on June 17, 2025
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Umbilical hernia manifests as a bulge around the belly button, mainly because the contents of the hernia include the intestines and omentum. This bulge becomes apparent when there is an increase in abdominal pressure due to crying or other activities, pushing the intestinal contents through the weak area around the navel, resulting in a noticeable protrusion. This bulge has a characteristic feature known as reducibility. It disappears when lying flat or in a calm state, but becomes more apparent and may increase in size when standing or under conditions of increased abdominal pressure, such as crying, shouting, or jumping. Clinically, this reducibility of the bulge is used to diagnose an umbilical hernia.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What should I do about my baby's umbilical hernia?

If your baby has an umbilical hernia, there is no need to panic. Generally speaking, this hernia occurs because the area around the baby's navel is not fully developed, leading to the hernia. It usually becomes more noticeable after crying - clearly protruding, but it can retract after resting. Typically, between one to two years old, the hernia may resolve by itself, so there's no need for special treatment. If you feel compelled to do something, you can buy a belt at a maternity and baby store and place a coin or another hard, flat object beneath it to press down on the navel, which can help the hernia repair sooner. However, if the hernia is large and still protrudes noticeably after the age of two, surgical intervention might be necessary.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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How to press back an umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernias are generally more common in newborns, primarily because the umbilical ring has not yet completely closed. In children, lumps appear in the navel area when they cry or when abdominal pressure increases. To address an umbilical hernia, first massage the area around the belly button, then gently return the hernial sac to the abdominal cavity with both hands. After returning the hernia, secure it externally with a hernia belt. This can effectively prevent the recurrence of the umbilical hernia. Typically, through conservative treatment, which involves this method of binding for about one to two months, the patient’s umbilical hernia can heal on its own.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Can an infant umbilical hernia cause crying?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenital weakness in the umbilicus, usually manifesting as an umbilical bulge during increased abdominal pressure. Generally, an umbilical hernia does not cause children to cry. However, if the hernia ring is relatively large, and abdominal structures such as the greater omentum or small intestine protrude through it, incarceration can occur, leading to abdominal discomfort and crying in the child. In such cases, carefully pushing the hernia back in is usually sufficient. Umbilical hernias typically do not require special treatment; it is only necessary to prevent prolonged intense crying in children and to actively prevent and treat indigestive diseases. Generally, as the child grows older and their physique strengthens, the hernia ring narrows and may even close naturally. Only a small number of babies, if the hernia ring diameter is larger than 2 cm, or if there is a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, might experience discomfort requiring surgical treatment.

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Written by Liu Li
Pediatrics
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Can an umbilical hernia cause colic in babies?

In general normal circumstances, children with umbilical hernias are unlikely to experience symptoms of intestinal colic. This is because the protrusion from the umbilical hernia is not very large, so the likelihood of causing intestinal colic is very low. Parents should not be overly worried about umbilical hernias causing intestinal colic. However, in some cases where the symptoms of umbilical hernia in babies are more noticeable, it is still necessary to seek active and timely treatment. A color Doppler ultrasound or a routine blood test can be conducted. Conservative treatment can also be considered; if conservative treatment is not very effective, then surgical treatment may be considered.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Will infant umbilical hernia gradually improve?

Umbilical hernias in infants are very likely to heal naturally, as more than 80% of infantile umbilical hernias will gradually reduce in size and possibly even close as the child grows older and their physique develops. Normally, it is only necessary to ensure that the child does not cry intensely for long periods, to promptly treat any digestive system disorders in the child to prevent increased abdominal pressure which can cause frequent protrusion of the hernia and affect its healing. Only a small portion of children require surgical treatment, usually those with a relatively large hernia ring diameter, especially those larger than 2 cm, and children over two years old who still have a very obvious umbilical hernia.