Belly button band for baby

rmarie13

So my mom insists that I need to wrap DD's belly button because it's an outie right now. I don't really care if DD has an innie or an outie. She sent me a "belly button band" yesterday. According to my googling it's for baby's with hernias Has anyone used this or heard of it?

mhg54

I can't insert the link, but if you search "newborn belly band" you will find a post on this from December. I have no experience, but it seems odd to have a preference on your child's belly button. I wouldn't bother my baby with something like that for a vanity purpose!

preggoandglowing

I actually started that other post. It's a Hispanic custom to prevent belly button hernias but it's also used to prevent outties. My older relatives used this on all their babies. My mom of course wanted me to use it. I asked my friends and cousins and it was about a 50/50 split between those who did and did not use. Two of my friends used it on one child but not the other and they both said that the child that they did use it on has a more tucked in belly button. From my previous post it sounds like most people don't care what their LO's belly button looks like but it's a good option if you do. I gave it a try for two days and it kept slipping off so I gave up.

rmarie13

Thanks! I searched before posting but the only things that came up were about maternity belly buttons and belly bands
I totally agree with you. It's weird that my mom is pushing this. She wants me to put a silver dollar on DD's belly button....

rmarie13

@preggoandglowing I was going to message you! My mom is half Mexican and half Italian but what confuses me is that she never did this with me or my sisters! I read the bands can help with gas which interests me more so I might try it out.

angelicac06

I have never heard of this. I don't care what kind of belly button baby has. It's part of him and I think he's perfect just the way God made him. I just want to say I am Mexican (born and raised) and I have never heard of this "custom." Not from any single relative in the US or Mexico.

Gingermom15

@rmarie13 our ped told us to not put anything restrictive on his belly when he has gas. I can't imagine that would be helpful or comfortable. Maybe ask her doctor before trying something like this.

ETA I am another who doesn't care at all what my sons umbilicus looks like. Innie or outie, he is perfect the way he is.

preggoandglowing

@angelicac06 Most all the Mexican baby stores in L.A. sell them so it's interesting you've never heard of this.

@rmarie13 I'd think they would be uncomfortable on babies with gas because they have to be on fairly tight in order to stay in place.

angelicac06

@preggoandglowing maybe its a regional thing? Different areas have different customs perhaps.

ammnam14

angelicac06 said:

I have never heard of this. I don't care what kind of belly button baby has. It's part of him and I think he's perfect just the way God made him. I just want to say I am Mexican (born and raised) and I have never heard of this "custom." Not from any single relative in the US or Mexico.

Same. OP ask your pediatrician what they advise.

laurabwalker

My baby has an outie as well. Was told to let it be by the midwife.

chewie5990

My DH is Mexican and his whole family kept insisting we tape a quarter to LOs belly to prevent an outie...I kept awkwardly laughing and ignoring them when someone brought it up...

rmarie13

Thanks ladies for the insight about gas! It must be something that I ate a few days ago because today she hasn't had any problems

Gingermom15

Have you eaten anything acidic or had a lot caffeine or dairy? That's usually the culprit when little man gets gassy. I took fenugreek for a couple days after I had mastitis per my LC's instructions and Henry had the worst upset tummy from that

satindawl83

Our LO has an umbilical hernia and we were told to let it be and it usually resolves itself. Do you know if it's a hernia or just an outtie?

If a hernia isn't resolved by 4 or 5 years old, they usually recommend surgery.