One of the most common defects in newborns and infants is an umbilical hernia. By about 3 years of age, the hernia usually closes on its own. However, parents do their best to avoid any he alth problems for their baby by using an umbilical hernia bandage for newborns. How effective is this invention? Find out later in the article.
Bandage for newborns for umbilical hernia: necessity or fashion?
To eliminate an umbilical hernia, our grandmothers applied a coin to a strange formation on the stomach, mothers sealed it with a plaster, and the current generation uses special bandages. What it is? An umbilical hernia bandage for newborns is a soft underwear belt with a slight bulge - a hernial limiter. Bandages are used for a long time, so when buying, you should pay attentionattention to the materials from which the bandage is made. They must be hypoallergenic, durable and washable.
The umbilical bandage exerts gentle pressure (compression) in the area of the hernial outgrowth, and prevents its further protrusion. The bandage contributes to the rapid narrowing of the umbilical ring, and moreover, prevents pinching of organs. The use of an umbilical hernia bandage for newborns is not recommended until the umbilical wound has healed. As for the recommendations of manufacturers, everything is clear here: it is profitable for them to sell this invention, but what do doctors say? Doctors are divided into two camps: some keep up with the times and prescribe umbilical bandages, others are sure that wearing a support belt is absolutely pointless.
Why are the doctors against?
Based on multiple studies, most pediatricians around the world are opposed to umbilical bands. They explain their decision with the following points:
- The possibility of incarcerated hernia in infants is practically absent.
- As the child's muscular skeleton matures or strengthens, the umbilical ring spontaneously closes.
- A hernial protrusion is not a disease, and a cosmetic defect in the navel area does not cause any inconvenience to the child.
- Immediately after the complete healing of the navel, it is important to regularly lay the baby on the tummy, exercise with him and do massage. These recommendations will help tighten the umbilical ring as soon as possible, rather than wearingbandage.
Parents have a special responsibility for the he alth of the baby and for the appearance of his tummy. Moms and dads need to make every effort to prevent surgery.
Reviews
There are a lot of reviews about the bandage for umbilical hernia for newborns. After studying them, you can come to the following conclusions of mothers:
- Doubtful use of the umbilical bandage. This is explained by the fact that in a newborn child in the first few months of his life, the stomach does not stick out as much as in an older child, so the bandage constantly moves, does not hold in a fixed position and slides down without having any positive effect.
- The bandage does not allow air to pass through, causing the child's skin to suffer, rashes, irritation and prickly heat appear.
- Many mothers claim that their older children did just fine without an umbilical bandage, supposedly there is no harm or benefit from this expensive belt. You need to pay more attention to the physical activity of the child: put it on the tummy for several hours a day, do exercise therapy and use the fitball in training.
- Homemade drawstring belt won't hurt. Our parents were brought up in such a way that in case of any pathology or ailment, it is urgent to seek treatment from doctors, otherwise you will not recover. Therefore, when young mothers and fathers, after consulting with a pediatrician and a surgeon, decide not to use an umbilical bandage, the grandmothers beg to do at least something, at least attach a coin, at least bandage it with a film, but notlet things take their course.
Moms don't see much benefit from wearing a brace, sealing an umbilical hernia with duct tape, bandaging a baby's abdomen, etc.
Homemade bandage
Parents can look at the photo of the newborn umbilical hernia bandage and try to build something similar on their own. Next, consider the important requirements that must be observed when creating an umbilical bandage:
- The bandage should be made of natural fabric (cotton, gauze, elastic bandage).
- The umbilical bandage has a slight bulge that overlaps the hernia. You can create this bulge yourself by sewing a button or cotton ball to the center of the belt.
- For comfortable use of the bandage, you need to sew Velcro pads to the belt, so you can control the force of contraction of the abdomen.
It is quite possible to make an umbilical hernia bandage for newborns with your own hands, but you can only use it for a while. If your baby is over three years old, then stop self-medicating and go to the surgeon to arrange an operation. In addition to age, there is another indication for urgent surgical intervention - pain at the site of the hernia.
Contraindications for surgery
There are some situations in which surgery is prohibited:
- Pathological arrangement of internal organs.
- Significant decrease in immunity.
- Heart problemsvascular system.
- Allergy to anesthesia drugs.
- Other chronic pathologies.
Sometimes contraindications have a time frame, after which you should again contact the surgeon for advice. Despite the above cases, parents need to prevent organ infringement in every possible way, that is, to minimize the load on the press and control the child's nutrition. Wearing a bandage can help avoid any consequences, it's up to the parents to decide.
Orlett umbilical brace
Orlett's newborn umbilical hernia bandage is renowned for its value for money. This device qualitatively holds the umbilical hernia and prevents infringement of organs. The manufacturer does not recommend using a bandage for a child older than three years. Consider the features of the Orlett brace:
- Made of durable material that is easy to bend and feels good to the touch.
- Has a Velcro patch for size adjustment.
- The bandage is made of hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly materials.
For proper use of the bandage, it should be worn in the supine position, when the hernial protrusion is less pronounced.
