Umbilical Hernia Repair in Children: What to Expect at Home

Allow your child to slowly become more active. Have your child rest as much as needed. Make sure your child gets enough sleep at night.

Your child may shower 1 to 2 days after the surgery. Pat the incision dry after the shower. Do not let your child take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until the doctor tells you it is okay.

Your child will probably be able to go back to school or most of his or her normal activities, like walking or playing with toys, about 1 or 2 days after surgery.

Your child should not ride a bike, play running games or contact sports, or take part in gym class for 3 to 4 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay. It is okay for your child to walk and play with other children or play with toys.

Until the doctor says it is okay, your child should avoid lifting anything that would make him or her strain. This may include heavy milk containers, a heavy backpack, or a medium-sized pet.

Your child can eat his or her normal diet. If your child's stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Have your child drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

You may notice a change in your child's bowel habits right after surgery. This is common. If your child has not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, call your doctor.

Your doctor will tell you if and when your child can restart his or her medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about your child taking any new medicines.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

• If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.

• If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.

• If the doctor prescribed antibiotics, give them as instructed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.

If your child feels sick to his or her stomach:

• Do not give pain medicines on an empty stomach. Give your child pain medicines after meals or with a snack (unless the doctor has told you not to).

• Ask the doctor for a different pain medicine if you think the one you have makes your child sick.

If there are strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.

Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.

Keep the area clean and dry.

Your child passes out (loses consciousness).

Your child has severe trouble breathing.

Your child has sudden chest pain and shortness of breath or coughs up blood.

Your child has severe belly pain.

Your child is sick to his or her stomach and cannot drink fluids.

Your child has pain that does not get better after he or she takes pain medicine.

Your child has signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the incision.

• Pus draining from the incision.

• A fever.

Your child has loose stitches, or the incision comes open.

Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your child's incision.

Your child has severe vomiting.

You notice a sudden, new bulge at the incision site.

Your child does not have a bowel movement after taking a laxative.