Belly buttons - maybe light hearted but... curious?

[LucyBanasiewicz]

DP and I both have innies, but our DSs Josh (17) and Toby (16) have always had outies. Nothing particularly noticeable or anything. In fact, I'd not given it any thought for years.

My SIL and family visited for the weekend and she must have seen both my guys bare chested. Anyway, she commented that they should have "gone in" by now. My reaction was to laugh, as im sure that isnt a thing. But i must admit I don't go around checking out belly buttons, so I'm curious to know. Is it a thing? Did your teens get rid of their outies if they had them?

This looks so silly to type. I should be laughing it off, I hope!

Definitely not a thing.. outies are outies they don’t just sucker in one day!

Thanks @onehanded - I'd never thought about it but I assumed they would stay outies. Then i doubted myself!

Well, often baby outies become innies. But not later in life afaik. Outies aren't common, either.

So at 16/17 they'll stay? I wonder why my guys have them then?

Dsis had an outy until about 13, then it went it. Not much you can do about it really and if they're wondering round bare chested I'm guessing they're not self conscious about it

It's just the way it's tied and cut at birth that determines it I think...?

So actually, @firefliess, your Dsis's did go in? Yeah my boys aren't self conscious, though they don't go out of their way to be seen with bare chests. We've never talked belly buttons so I've no idea if they are embarrassed?
@OlderthenYoungerNow - oh is that what happens? It's more that my SIL expected them to look inward. I've no idea what her boys have!

Is your user name your real name? Have you also posted your children's real names? I'd ask Mumsnet to remove these and change your name if so.

Thanks @Lightsabre a really good point. It's my second pen name (I am published under my first) so no worries.

Toby was in the kitchen this morning getting breakfast so I asked about his belly button being an outie (he had no top on) and whether any of his mates had one. I didn't say what SIL said about something being wrong.

Josh is at his gf house again, so didn't ask him.

He didn't really know about his mates, although he thought his best mate Rory does. He isn't worried about it though he did say he sometimes get minor teasing at school (really?!?).

Doesn't answer the question about them supposed to sink in according to SIL.