Does it hurt the baby to push an umbilical hernia back in?

Sometimes.: Umbilical hernias are small holes in the abdominal wall at the belly button through which the inner layer of the abdominal wall, the peritoneum, protrudes through to create a sac. This sac has many pain fibers and is often sensitive to the touch, especially if it is difficult to reduce. Your baby, regardless of their age, will let you know if it hurts, typically by grimacing and crying.

No: Umbilical hernias are unlikely to cause a problem in infancy. Usually they go away without treatment by age 3. You should not keep trying to push it in.

No: Reducing an umbilical hernia in a child/baby will often help any discomfort they are having. Optimal age for repair is age 2. Once baby is walking then maximal benefit is obtained for spoantaneous closure.