Could this be a hernia?

[BonnieBeaumont]

I saw this lump in the midline of my 5 month old daughter's abdomen when she was arching her back last night during a nappy change. I'm struggling to see it today. I'm going to make an appointment with my GP tomorrow but was hoping you could put me at ease as after googling 'abdomen lump' my mind is in overdrive!

Good photo, it is an epigastric hernia. Do you remember (actually with a 5 month old you far too young and you if interested ask your mum, gran? about the advert for Playtex girdle with the finger tip panels? Put your fingers over your abdo and there are tiny gaps between the finger. A tiny bit of fat (NOT guts) can poke through. I used to advise surgery but by the time I retired I realised less than 1/3 get bigger and though painless probably need an op. 1/3 just "go" but at least 1/3 suddenly get painful and then never reappear, I guess the fat gets trapped, dies and plugs the hole, the discomfort for the child as this happens is less than having an op (and the stress to mum is far less than subjecting dd to op), there is no scar and under the age of a year I think nature can do a better job than I could surgically.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply dratsea!

You are welcome Bonnie "by parents for parents" but I must point out the header "Mumsnetters aren't necessarily qualified to help if your child is unwell. If you have any serious medical concerns, we would urge you to consult your GP." Neonatal epigastric hernia is not a common problem and I would suggest that tomorrow you take your photo with you to GP, perhaps my reply as well, and if it would help you/GP then I would be happy to reveal a bit more by PM.