You’re changing your baby’s diaper or giving your toddler a bath and you notice it — a soft lump near the groin or the belly button that wasn’t there before. It might disappear when your child lies down and come back when they cry or strain. You’re not sure whether to panic or ignore it.
The short answer: don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. What you’re likely seeing is a hernia — and in children, it’s more common than most parents realise.
What is a hernia in a child?
A hernia happens when part of the intestine or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. In children, this most commonly happens in two places:
Inguinal hernia (groin area): This is the most common type in children, especially in boys. It appears as a bulge in the groin or scrotum. It’s more common in premature babies.
Umbilical hernia (belly button): A soft bulge at the navel. Very common in newborns and often resolves on its own by age 4–5.
How do I know it’s a hernia?
Look for these signs:
- A soft lump or swelling near the groin, scrotum, or belly button
- The swelling gets bigger when your child cries, coughs, or strains
- It disappears or gets smaller when your child is quiet or lying down
- No pain most of the time — though the child may be fussy
When is it an emergency?
This is the most important thing to know. If the hernia cannot be pushed back in (it becomes “stuck” or incarcerated), it’s a surgical emergency. Signs of this:
- The lump suddenly becomes firm, tender, or doesn’t reduce
- Your child is in obvious pain or crying inconsolably
- Vomiting begins
- The skin over the swelling turns red or dark
If you see these signs, go to the emergency room immediately — do not wait.
Does every hernia need surgery?
For inguinal hernias in children — yes, surgery is recommended as soon as feasible after diagnosis. Unlike umbilical hernias in babies, inguinal hernias do not close on their own. The risk of the hernia getting trapped (incarceration) is highest in the first year of life — around 30% in infants under 6 months.
For umbilical hernias, watchful waiting until age 4 is reasonable. Surgery is considered if it persists beyond that, or if it’s large (greater than 1.5 cm).
Is hernia surgery safe for children?
Yes. Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in children. When done by a pediatric surgeon — who is specifically trained in children’s anatomy and physiology — it is a day-care procedure (your child goes home the same day) with a very high success rate and minimal complications.
At our centre in Raipur, we perform laparoscopic (keyhole) hernia repair in children, which means:
- Tiny incisions (3–5 mm)
- Faster recovery
- Less post-operative pain
- Better cosmetic outcome
What to do if you suspect a hernia
- Take a photo or video of the swelling when it’s visible — it helps the surgeon
- See a pediatric surgeon (not a general surgeon) for accurate diagnosis
- Do not try to push it back yourself if it’s painful or stuck
Dr. Tanmay Motiwala sees patients in Raipur, Jagdalpur, Rajnandgaon, and Rajim. If you’ve noticed a swelling in your child’s groin or belly button, book an appointment at +91 8319084711.