Infant Belly Band (a cultural tradition, good or bad?)

[bunnyjames]

 Hi guys!!! Okay so I want some opinions, I would really like to see how many follow cultural tradition when it comes to the care of a newborn.  I am 1/2 italian and 1/2 central american SO there are MANY traditions when it comes to the proper care of a newborn. As some of you may know im pregnant with my 2nd( well 2nd and 3rd since they are twins) child(ren) so of course I have started preparing already, my Nonni (grandma) insists I start looking for belly bands, if some of you may not know what this is, its bascially an all cotton belly band that is wrapped around a newborns belly so that they won’t get a herniated umbilicus or ‘outy’ ( I personaly think outies are really cute. my hubby has an outy), well at least that’s the explanation behind this custom. Anyways as a nurse I know that now in days docotors advise NOT to cover your baby’s umbilical area. For my first child my mom basically raised my daughter starting from the first month up to when she was 6 months so she did cover my daughters belly button, my belly button was covered too as well as ALL of my cousins and siblings and well we’re still here happy and living.  So the question here is how many think that such a custom can cause more harm than good?? should everything be considered as an “old wives” tale???? It would be really great to hear some inputs here it would help me alot to make-up my mind   As a nurse I really want to practice what I have learned with my own children but sometime ‘old wives” tales do help alot. 

[Monkeybun]

I would listen tot he doctors, to be honest.

[Michelle&Lolli]

I did a search on infant belly bands as I had no clue what they were. Here’s my take: If/when I ever have kids, I would look into getting a belly band for stomach/colic issues my baby may have as they do seem to make sense to me for that purpose. I don’t know that I care all that much about whether my baby has an inny or outy belly button. lol I think for you, that’s what it should boil down to – how much do you care about belly buttons? lol

[brittbritt]

In my opinion innie/outie belly buttons are both cute. My daughter is so skinny that hers is a little more an outie than innie. I think if it doesn’t cause any health issues and you’re okay with it whatever you feel is best is fine. If you don’t want to do it then make that clear as it’s your children.

[brittbritt]

Sorry double post.

[jerseygirl]

Congrats on the twins!!! I hadn’t realised you were expecting 2. How exciting!

I’d never heard of these belly bands either. Didn’t know an outy was a herniated umbilicus! I do agree with Monkeybun, find out what you’re OB’s view is on them. You obviously aren’t concerned about cosmetic side of innies v’s outies so I guess just look into whether it has health benefits or problems. Regarding the old wives tale part, is an outy meant to be bad luck or something?

[Lintini]

I never heard of belly bands before. Interesting!

My brother had an outie belly button for years and I thought it was so neat!! He’s 19 now and it’s an innie. He’s been working out and has really gotten big. My dad was in the Olympics as a discus thrower and was huge too. I am starting to see a resemblance.

Do whatever you think is best.

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