In newborns, a phenomenon such as umbilical hernia is quite common. This pathology develops due to the fact that the umbilical ring is underdeveloped or too weak. A bandage for newborns from an umbilical hernia is an excellent solution to this problem. Next, we will talk about what to look for when choosing an umbilical cord, and how and how much it should be worn.
How and when does an umbilical hernia appear?
The navel of a newborn baby is tied immediately after birth, however, the navel opening in the womb is much wider in diameter. This is due to the peculiarities of blood supply, as well as the space that is necessary for the development of the digestive tract. The hole that appeared after the birth of the baby is clogged and forms a small abdominal “tail” that holds the organs inside, that is, it does not allow them to move and protrude. In the case when the baby is born ahead of schedule or has a genetic malfunction associated with tissue binding, a hernia may appear from the scar. Often, umbilical hernia can occur as a result of tension of the abdominal muscles, flatulence, crying or cough syndrome.
Device essence
The umbilical hernia bandage for newborns looks like a belt made only of natural fabrics. At its center is an applicator that puts pressure on the umbilical ring and prevents further protrusion of the organ.
A bandage from an umbilical hernia for newborns is a temporary measure, since the hernia extremely rarely resolves independently without surgical intervention.
Wearing a corset is allowed from 3-4 weeks old baby - it takes so much time to heal the umbilical opening.
Parents need to follow some rules:
- Before you put on the bandage, you need to slightly press on the hernia, thus, adjusting it. Only then from wearing a bandage for newborns from an umbilical hernia can a positive result be seen.
- The corset must be tight. If this fails, a piece of sanitized tissue should be placed.
- 6 times a day to remove a belt for rest for half an hour.
To the question of how much to wear a bandage with an umbilical hernia, there is no definite answer. Infants are recommended to wear until the hernia is completely repaired, this usually happens by the age of three.
After surgery, umbilical cord wearing is two or three months. It is important to start wearing it immediately after surgery. Do not wear a belt over an open scar. Before putting on the bandage, it is necessary to apply a layer of sterile gauze on the postoperative suture. Throughout the day, you must remove the bandage several times and change the bandage. Dressings are done until the seam is removed - usually this is from 7 to 10 days. The doctor must remove the stitches in the clinic, you can’t do this yourself.
Umbilical hernia: surgery or bandage?
Doctors ambiguously evaluate the benefits of wearing an umbilical cord. Most say that it is useful and promotes recovery, while others say that a bandage after an umbilical hernia is not needed. Pulling the belt can aggravate the situation. The belt can cause discomfort in the baby, he just will be unpleasant. Statistics takes its toll: in most cases, a corset does not cause a child any inconvenience.
In more complex cases, when the protrusion becomes impossible to correct, an operation is necessary.
It is also possible to use a special group of exercises that will help get rid of a hernia. They are aimed at strengthening the abdominal muscles. The cost of a special corset is quite high, so sometimes parents try to correct the situation on their own. However, if they nevertheless decided to put on a bandage for the baby, it is important to remember that you can not do this earlier than the child turns a month old. Until this time, you can perform the following actions:
- Before feeding the child should be laid on his stomach for 15-20 minutes.
- Make him move. This can be done by applying palms to the feet. Reflexively, the baby will begin to contract the muscles of the legs, thereby moving its body.
- Massage the umbilical zone with soft stroking movements, pinching the stomach with the other hand.
- Adhere to the above tips and before swimming.
Indications for wearing
The bandage is shown in the following cases:
- Bandage after umbilical hernia surgery. Such a corset prevents the re-development of a hernia and any other postoperative complications, as well as relieves pain.
- Doctors recommend preterm infants to wear a bandage to prevent umbilical hernia.
- Children with intestinal dysfunction, with frequent swelling and constipation are also recommended to wear an umbilical cord.
Contraindications
In order to avoid any complications and consequences when wearing an umbilical cord, you must first familiarize yourself with all the contraindications. Contraindications for wearing a bandage with an umbilical hernia are:
- Open wounds on the baby's body in the part where the bandage should come in contact with the skin. This also does not include the completely protracted wound after the umbilical cord has fallen.
- Diseases of the heart and lungs, as well as the pathology of other internal organs.
- Allergy and other dermatological pathologies.
- Disorder of the nervous system.
- If the umbilical ring has narrowed to such an extent that the protruded organs can only return to the place of surgical intervention, then wearing an umbilical bandage in this case is considered impractical.
How to choose an umbilical bandage?
It is advisable that the attending physician help in choosing an umbilical cord. It is very important that the material the belt is made of is made of hypoallergenic tissue and absorbs moisture well. No less important is what the insert is made of, the level of rigidity of the bandage and how it fits to the body.
How to wear an umbilical bandage?
In order for the bandage to benefit, it is necessary to observe some rules for wearing it, namely:
- Before fixing the belt, you must carefully adjust the hernia. It is impossible to apply force and pressure when setting the hernia.
- Directly on the hernia, only the belt applicator should fall.
- After the bandage is put on, you need to make sure that when wearing it the baby does not feel any discomfort, usually if this happens, the child may begin to be capricious and become tearful.
conclusions
Parents who used an umbilical cord for hernia in children note its positive qualities, namely: reliability, ease of use, and the ability to reduce bulges in the navel.
It is also noted that the corset rubs the skin of the child, and therefore it is recommended to wear it on underwear and not wear for a long time. That is, from time to time it needs to be removed and to give the skin a little rest.
A bandage with an umbilical hernia has proven its effectiveness more than once. This device has helped many children. By its usefulness, it is in no way inferior to gymnastics and massage. With a hernia, there is a risk of pinching it, and this already poses serious consequences, an urgent operation may be necessary, because necrosis will begin in the tissues of the constricted intestine. As in any other actions related to the baby’s health, it is necessary to obtain prior permission from the pediatrician, because the future of the child depends on this.