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How can you care for your child at home?
Activity
- 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.
Diet
- 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.
Medicines
- 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.
Incision care
- 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.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- 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.
Call the doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- 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.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact the doctor if:
- Your child does not have a bowel movement after taking a laxative.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
