4 wk old newborn has 'raw' looking belly button is this normal?

[liznay]

I'm a bit worried. It looks like a bit of intestine is poking through the navel. Could this be an umbilical hernia? Or is this normal. The raw area is the colour of the inside of our mouth but does not appear to bother her or have an offensive smell. Its still creating a bit of light green discharge each day and has done since the cord fell off.
I'm seeing the health visitor on Monday but wondered whether I should do anything in the meantime.

Thanks all x

I would just try to keep it clean and dry. good that it doesn't smell.
When did the chord drop off?
Could still be a bit raw, but best get it checked if it fell off weeks ago.
Sure it'll be fine.

Don't quote me but my DS's is still a little like that although nearly healed up properly, i believe it helped that we cut off the clip when the thing really started to stink and was only hanging on by a thread..

We just wash it with normal warm water and wash it when he has a bath, don't put anything on it as it could slow the healing process.

Hope the HV gives you some better advice sorry hun xx Try not to worry too much though sounds normal to me.

light green discharge and looking raw could mean mild infection

please call out of hours GP for further advice, and get it seen sooner rather than later..

a hernia is like a lump under the skin, is that what you mean?

is it this? www.justmommies.com/articles/umbilical-granuloma-hernia.shtml
not uncommon and just takes longer to heal.

the granuloma bit I mean.

DS just had this - his was because he had a large umbilical cord (like a hosepipe!!) and it hadn't healed properly. Discharge was because of a little infection. Go to GP. They swabbed it to establish infection, and then I was told to use cooled boiled water and let it air dry, but it did nothing. Our GP then tried to cauterise it with a swab he had in surgery, but that didn't work (don't worry, this wasn't that bad) so DS had antibiotics for 10 days and it was still a bit wet so had an antibiotic cream. Finally, I think we're there and it seems okay now (8 weeks). It was a right pain. I would get it checked out as with DS it certainly wasn't clearing of its own accord. Good luck .

Lumpy bits on DS were blood vessels that hadn't retracted like they normally do. They have now.

Hi thanks for these replies. I think it may be a granuloma, looking at the pictures.
I will get the health visitor to take a look. It doesn't seem to be bothering her but I was worried all the same!