In newborns, the phenomenon of 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 you should pay attention to when choosing an umbilical bandage, as well as how and how much you should wear it.
How and when does an umbilical hernia appear?
A newborn baby's navel is tied immediately after birth, but in the womb, the opening of the navel is much wider in diameter. This is due to the peculiarities of the 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 holdsorgans inside, that is, it does not allow them to move and protrude. In the case when the baby is born prematurely or he has a genetic failure associated with tissue binding, a hernia may appear from the scar. Often, an umbilical hernia can occur as a result of tension in the abdominal muscles, flatulence, crying, or cough syndrome.
Device entity
The umbilical hernia bandage for newborns looks like a belt made only from natural fabrics. In its center is an applicator that puts pressure on the umbilical ring and prevents further protrusion of the organ.
Umbilical hernia bandage for newborns is a temporary measure, as a hernia rarely resolves on its own without surgery.
Wearing a corset is allowed from 3-4 weeks of age of the baby - that's how much time it takes 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 setting it. Only then can a positive result be seen from wearing a bandage for newborns from an umbilical hernia.
- The corset should be tightly fastened. If this fails, a piece of disinfected cloth should be placed.
- 6 times a day take off the rest belt for half an hour.
There is no single answer to the question of how long to wear a bandage for an umbilical hernia. Infants are recommended to wear until fullreduction of a hernia, this usually happens by the age of three.
After surgery, the umbilical band is worn for two or three months. It is important to start wearing it immediately after the operation. You can not wear a belt on an open scar. Before putting on the bandage, it is necessary to apply a layer of sterile gauze to the postoperative suture. During the day, it is necessary to remove the bandage several times and change the bandage. Dressings are done until the suture is removed - usually this is from 7 to 10 days. The doctor in the clinic should remove the stitches, you can’t do it yourself.
Umbilical hernia: surgery or bandage?
Doctors are ambivalent about the benefits of wearing an umbilical bandage. Most say that it is useful and promotes recovery, while others argue that a bandage after an umbilical hernia is not needed. Tightening the belt can aggravate the situation. The belt can cause discomfort in the baby, it will just be unpleasant for him. Statistics take their toll: in most cases, the corset does not cause discomfort to the child.
In more difficult cases, when the protrusion becomes impossible to correct, surgery 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 rectify the situation on their own. However, if they still decide to put a bandage on the baby, then it is important to remember that you cannot do this earlier,before the baby turns one month old. Until then, you can do the following:
- Before feeding, the baby should be laid on the 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 his body.
- Massage the umbilical area with soft stroking movements, pinching the stomach with the other hand.
- Adhere to the above tips before bathing as well.
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, and also relieves pain.
- For premature babies, doctors recommend wearing a brace to prevent umbilical hernia.
- Children with intestinal disorders, with frequent swelling and constipation, are also recommended to wear an umbilical bandage.
Contraindications
In order to avoid any complications and consequences when wearing an umbilical bandage, you must first familiarize yourself with all contraindications. Contraindications for wearing a bandage for umbilical hernia are:
- Open wounds on the baby's body in the part where the bandage should be in contact with the skin. This also includes an incompletely healed wound after the umbilical cord fell off.
- Diseases of the heart and lungs, as well as pathologies of other internal organs.
- Allergy andother dermatological pathologies.
- Disorder of the nervous system.
- If the umbilical ring has narrowed to such an extent that only surgical intervention can restore the protruding organs, then wearing an umbilical bandage in this case is considered inappropriate.
How to choose the right umbilical bandage?
It is desirable that the attending physician help in choosing an umbilical bandage. It is very important that the material from which the belt is made is made of hypoallergenic fabric and absorbs moisture well. Equally 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 brace?
In order for the bandage to be useful, you must follow some rules for wearing it, namely:
- Before you fix the belt, you need to carefully set the hernia. It is impossible to apply force and pressure when reducing the hernia.
- Only the belt applicator should touch the hernia directly.
- After putting on the bandage, you need to make sure that when wearing it, the baby does not experience any discomfort, usually if this happens, the child may start to act up and become whiny.
Conclusions
Parents who have used an umbilical bandage for hernia in children note its positive qualities, namely: reliability, ease of use, and alsothe 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 over underwear and not wear it for a long time. That is, periodically it needs to be removed and give the skin a little rest.
Bandage for umbilical hernia has proven its effectiveness repeatedly. This device has helped many children. In terms of usefulness, it is in no way inferior to gymnastics and massage. With a hernia, there is a risk of pinching it, and this already threatens with serious consequences, an urgent operation may be needed, because necrosis will begin in the tissues of the compressed intestine. As with any activity related to the he alth of the baby, it is necessary to obtain prior permission from the pediatrician, because the future of the child depends on it.
