Is this an outie or umbilical hernia?

[PapercraftNinja]

We’ve got a drs appointment booked but just wondering on opinions as my DD is nearly 3 and has been quite badly constipated for about a month maybe more. She’s been prescribed laxatives but waiting for a follow up and she is saying her tummy hurts. It may be irrelevant but just wondering!

Does it expand when she strains her tummy? Can you push the bulge back inside and feel "gurgly" noises? An umbilical hernia is a gap between the abdominal walls so the intestines get pushed outwards. You can sense this by gently pushing the lump inwards (painless for the baby).

If the lump stays the same size and it feels like there's muscle (not a hole) behind it, then it's more likely a normal outie belly button. DD (18months) had a massive umbilical hernia shortly after birth. It was normally the size of a cherry but if she cried or strained, it would expand to a small plum. Against all expectations, it healed on its own when she was around 5 months.

You can push it in yeah! It may be that then. When you say your DD’s healed, did it go back in?

Thank you so much for your reaponse!

Does this mean it’s strangulated if she is constipated but can push it back in?

I don’t know if she requires more urgent medical attention or if it can wait for the appointment next week