Question
My baby is one month old, and I recently noticed that his navel is bulging out. I’m worried that there might have been some issues during childbirth. Will a newborn’s umbilical hernia heal on its own?
Answer
A newborn’s umbilical hernia, if not incarcerated, can often be observed and healed using non-surgical methods before the age of two. However, if it persists beyond two years or older, and the hernia diameter is still over 1.5 centimeters, surgical treatment may be considered. Many babies have umbilical hernias that are normal and parents should not be overly concerned. But if the bulging condition does not improve with age, it’s important to be vigilant.