What Causes an Outie Belly Button in Babies?

Noticing your baby’s belly button sticking out can be surprising, but in most cases an outie belly button is simply a normal variation in how the skin heals after the umbilical cord falls off. For many families, an outie belly button baby is purely a cosmetic difference - it doesn’t affect your little one’s health, comfort, or development.

Sometimes, though, a belly button that protrudes can be linked to something that’s worth understanding and monitoring, such as an umbilical hernia (a soft bulge that can look bigger when your baby cries) or an umbilical granuloma (a small, moist lump that can appear after the stump drops off). The reassuring news is that both are common topics in newborn care and are usually straightforward for your GP or health visitor to assess.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are concerned about your baby's belly button, growth, or general wellbeing, speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor.

In this article, we’ll explain what can cause an outie, how to spot normal vs. concerning signs, and when to seek medical advice.

What Is an Outie Belly Button?

How Does a Belly Button Form?

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord delivers oxygen and nutrients from the placenta. After birth, the cord is clamped and cut, leaving a small stump. Over the next days the stump dries out, darkens, and eventually falls off - typically within about 5 to 15 days. The area then continues to heal for roughly a week or so, and the way this scar tissue settles is what creates your baby’s belly button shape.

It can look a little raw or crusty while it’s healing, which is normal. The cord itself doesn’t contain nerves, so your baby shouldn’t feel pain from the stump drying or dropping off. If you’d like step-by-step tips for keeping the area clean and dry, see our Umbilical cord care in newborns article.

Outie vs. Innie

An ‘innie’ belly button sits inwards, while an ‘outie’ protrudes outwards. The term ‘outie’ is informal - it describes appearance, not a diagnosis. In most cases, an outie belly button is simply a normal variation and doesn’t affect your baby’s health or development.

Because the look can overlap with other newborn belly button conditions, it’s helpful to know what’s typical - and what signs may suggest a hernia or another issue. We’ll cover these differences next, including what people mean when they talk about outie vs innie belly button.

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What Causes an Outie Belly Button in Babies?

The most common reason a baby’s belly button sticks out is simply the way the skin and scar tissue heal after the cord stump falls away. But there are a few different explanations for why it can look more prominent. Here are the most likely causes, starting with the harmless ones.

1. Natural Variation in Cord Healing (Most Common)

In many babies, the tissue around the navel heals in a way that leaves a small, firm protrusion. This type of outie is purely cosmetic and doesn’t need treatment. Importantly, the way the cord was clamped or cut doesn’t determine whether your child has an outie or an innie.

2. Umbilical Hernia

An umbilical hernia happens when a small opening in the abdominal wall doesn’t close straight away after birth, allowing a bit of bowel or fatty tissue to bulge out. It often feels soft and compressible, can look bigger when your baby cries or strains, and may flatten when they’re calm.

Umbilical hernias are common - around 1 in 5 term-born babies - and they’re more likely in premature babies or those with a low birth weight. The good news is that most (80-90%) close on their own as your child grows (often by around age 3), and surgery is usually only considered if it hasn’t closed by about age 3–4. They don’t usually cause pain, and complications are rare, but you should seek medical advice if the bulge becomes hard, discoloured, or painful.

3. Umbilical Granuloma

An umbilical granuloma is a small, moist pink or red lump that can remain after the cord stump falls off. It’s thought to be caused by incomplete healing and an overgrowth of granulation tissue, and it isn’t caused by anything you did. Granulomas are less common than hernias, but they’re well recognised and treatable - and it’s worth getting one checked because it can increase the risk of infection if left untreated.

4. Rare or Additional Causes

Very rarely, a protruding belly button may be linked to other abdominal wall conditions or an infection around the navel. If you notice spreading redness, swelling, a foul smell, yellow/green discharge, fever, or your baby seems unwell, contact your GP urgently. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always appropriate to ask for advice - you can also find more reassurance and newborn guidance in our Newborn baby care section.

Can an Outie Belly Button Become an Innie?

Parents often have questions about outie belly buttons, including can an outie belly button be fixed, and how to make an outie belly button go in naturally. A key point to remember is that each belly button is unique and that there isn’t just one type. And, in most cases, an outie belly button will not change into an innie as the child grows, and there's no medical need for it to do so.

However, if the outie belly button is due to an umbilical hernia, it may resolve on its own within the first few years of your child's life. If you have any questions or concerns about your baby's belly button, contact your baby's GP. Don't try to do anything on your own to try to make the umbilical hernia close or to change the appearance of your little one's belly button, as this will not help and may cause discomfort in your baby.

Is My Baby's Outie Belly Button Normal? Signs to Look For

Most belly buttons that stick out in babies are harmless, but it helps to know what patterns are typical and what changes should be checked.

Signs That Are Usually Normal

A firm, dry protrusion that doesn’t change size when your baby cries is often just how the scar healed - a “normal outie”. For many families, an outie belly button baby is simply a cosmetic feature and needs no treatment.

A soft bulge that becomes more noticeable when your baby strains, coughs, or cries - and flattens when they relax - is more suggestive of a small hernia. Even then, an umbilical hernia baby is usually painless and often closes on its own with time.

If the cord stump has already fallen off and you notice a small moist, pink/red lump with a little clear or yellowish ooze, it may be a granuloma. That’s treatable, but it’s best to mention it to your GP, midwife, or health visitor so you can confirm what it is and how to care for it safely.

Signs That Need a GP Review

Contact your GP (or call NHS 111 for guidance) if you notice any of the following:

• Spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness around the belly button.

• Yellow/green discharge, a foul smell, or your baby develops a fever or seems unwell.

• Persistent bleeding after the cord stump has fallen off.

• A bulge that won’t reduce (can’t be gently pushed in), looks darker/purple, or suddenly changes in size.

• Your baby seems in pain or is inconsolable alongside a known hernia.

• A hernia that is still present and getting bigger at around age 3–4.

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If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, it’s always okay to ask - you can also explore our Newborn baby care hub for broader newborn guidance.

And remember: a normal outie belly button baby is very common - focus on how your baby seems overall, not the shape alone.

Outie Belly Button Myths vs. Facts

There’s a lot of well-meaning advice about belly buttons - but some common “fixes” can do more harm than good. If you’re hearing tips from friends, family, or social media, use these myth-busters as a quick reality check.

MYTH 1: “Taping a coin over the belly button will push the hernia back in.” FACT: NHS guidance notes that taping or strapping doesn’t help and may irritate the skin or increase infection risk - so it’s best avoided.

MYTH 2: “The way the cord was clamped or cut caused the outie.” FACT: Cord clamping/cutting doesn’t determine belly button shape or hernia risk - it’s mainly down to healing, anatomy, and how the scar tissue settles.

MYTH 3: “An outie means I did something wrong.” FACT: If you’re asking what causes outie belly button, the answer is usually simple healing variation - and NHS information stresses it isn’t caused by anything a parent did.

MYTH 4: “An outie will always stay an outie forever.” FACT: If the bulge is related to an umbilical hernia baby, it may flatten as the opening closes over time. A scar-based outie may remain - but it’s still purely cosmetic

When in doubt, skip DIY pressure or dressings and ask your GP or health visitor to take a look - reassurance is part of the job.

Related Articles

Infant Umbilical Cord: Care Tips and Infection Prevention

How to Care for Your Baby's Belly Button

Good daily care helps the belly button area heal smoothly - whether your baby has an outie or innie.

Before the Cord Stump Falls Off

Keep the stump clean and dry, and only wipe with plain water if it gets dirty. Gently pat dry afterwards. To help air circulate, fold the nappy down so it sits below the stump (and doesn’t rub). Don’t pull, cut, or twist the stump - let it fall off on its own. Many guidelines also advise avoiding full immersion baths until the stump has dropped off, so stick to sponge baths if you’re unsure.

After the Cord Stump Falls Off

Once the stump has fallen away, keep the area clean and dry for the next 7–10 days while it fully heals. A small sticky discharge right after the stump comes off can be normal for a short time, but it shouldn’t smell unpleasant. Continue folding the nappy down if needed, especially if your baby has a Umbilical cord care in newborns. This can be especially helpful if you’re caring for a outie belly button baby.

If you notice the baby belly button outie looks a little crusty as it heals, that can be normal - focus on keeping it clean and dry.

What Not to Do

Never tape, strap, bind, or press on the belly button (including ‘coin’ tricks) - this can irritate skin and raise infection risk. Avoid lotions, antiseptics, or powders unless your GP or health visitor has advised them. And if you’re worried about swelling, redness, discharge, or a lump that looks unusual, get it checked before trying any home treatment.

Umbilical Hernia in Babies: What Parents Need to Know

Hearing the word ‘hernia’ can sound alarming, but umbilical hernias in babies are usually very manageable. They’re often seen as a soft bulge at the belly button, and they can make an outie look more pronounced - especially when your baby cries or strains.

Will an Umbilical Hernia Resolve on Its Own?

In most cases, the opening in the abdominal wall gradually closes as your child grows. NHS guidance notes that the majority resolve without treatment, and estimates commonly cited in UK guidance suggest around 80–90% close by about age 3. Smaller hernias are generally more likely to close on their own, and premature babies may simply take a little longer.This context can be reassuring if you’re worried about an outie belly button baby.

When Is Surgery Considered?

If the hernia hasn’t closed by around age 3–4, your GP may discuss referral for surgical repair. This is typically a planned, day-case procedure under general anaesthetic, and many children go home the same day with dissolvable stitches and a quick recovery. It’s also worth knowing that surgery is done for health reasons - it doesn’t guarantee an ‘innie’.

For most families, an umbilical hernia baby is monitored over time rather than treated straight away.

Serious complications such as strangulation (when tissue gets trapped) are extremely rare in children, but they need urgent help. Seek emergency care if the bulge becomes hard, won’t reduce, changes colour (dark or purple), or if your baby seems in significant pain or is vomiting.

Umbilical Granuloma: What It Is and How It's Treated

An umbilical granuloma baby is a small, moist, pink or cherry-red lump that can appear in the belly button area after the cord stump has fallen off. You might notice a little clear or yellowish discharge, and it can make the baby belly button sticking out look wet rather than dry. Most granulomas aren’t painful, and they’re not caused by anything you did. However, they do need attention because the damp tissue can raise the risk of infection if left untreated.

Treatment is usually simple, but it’s important to confirm the diagnosis first. Many NHS services describe “salt treatment” as a first step at home: a small amount of table salt is applied and the area is covered with clean gauze for a short period, then rinsed and dried - but you should speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor before trying this. Some babies may be treated in clinic with silver nitrate applied by a healthcare professional.

If it isn’t improving after around a week, or you notice fever, spreading redness, an offensive smell, or your baby seems unwell, seek urgent medical advice.

When to See Your GP About Your Baby's Belly Button

The good news is that most outie belly buttons and umbilical hernias in babies require no treatment at all - simply regular monitoring.

For when to see GP about baby belly button, arrange a GP or health visitor review if you notice redness, swelling, warmth, yellow/green discharge, or a foul smell (possible infection), or if there is persistent bleeding after the stump has fallen off.

Also speak to your GP/HV if a pink/red moist lump remains (possible granuloma) before any home treatment, or if a hernia is still present and not reducing after your child’s 3rd birthday. If you have concerns about your baby’s general health - including if the baby belly button sticking out looks unusual - it’s always OK to ask.

Seek emergency help - go to A&E or call 999 - if your baby's hernia suddenly becomes hard, cannot be gently pushed back in, changes colour (dark or purple), or if your baby appears to be in significant pain, is vomiting, or is clearly unwell. This may indicate strangulation - very rare but requires immediate attention. Call NHS 111 if you are unsure.

For more guidance on everyday newborn questions, see our Newborn baby care page.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are concerned about your baby's belly button, growth, or general wellbeing, speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are concerned about your baby's belly button, growth, or wellbeing, seek advice from your GP, midwife, or health visitor without delay. In an urgent situation - for example if your baby's belly button hernia becomes hard and painful, changes colour, or if your baby appears to be in significant pain or is vomiting - contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or go directly to A&E. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice specific to your baby's health and circumstances.