Umbilical Hernia Repair in Children: What to Expect at Home

Your Child's Recovery

Your child may have some pain around the belly button (navel) and need pain medicine for several days after surgery. The area around your child's navel may be swollen for several weeks.

After surgery, your child will no longer have a hernia. There will no longer be a bulge around your child's navel.

Most children are back to many of their normal activities, like walking or playing with toys, 1 or 2 days after surgery. It takes about 1 to 2 weeks for the cut the doctor made (incision) to heal. The incision will leave a small scar that will fade with time. If the hernia was large, there may be some loose skin around your child's navel. This usually shrinks and becomes less noticeable as your child grows.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for your child at home?

Activity

• Have your child rest when they feel tired.
• Encourage your child to be active each day. Your child may like to take a walk with you.
• Your child may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if the doctor okays it. Pat the cut (incision) dry. Your child should not swim or 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 their 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 them strain. This may include heavy milk containers, a heavy backpack, or a medium-sized pet.

Diet

• Your child can eat their normal diet.
• If your child's bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, you can help them to avoid constipation and straining. Have your child drink plenty of water. The doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when your child can restart any medicines. You will also get instructions about your child taking any new medicines.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • 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 gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • Store your child’s prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• 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 their 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 is skin glue on the cut (incision), leave it on until it wears off. Skin glue is also called liquid stitches.
• If there are strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on until it falls off.
• If there are staples or stitches closing the incision, your doctor will tell you when to come back to have them removed.
• Gently wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes or rubs against clothing.
• Change the bandage every day or if it gets wet or dirty.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

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, is short of breath, or coughs up blood.
• Your child has severe belly pain.
• Your child has severe vomiting.

Contact the doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child has pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine.
• Your child has nausea or vomiting and cannot keep down fluids.
• 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 symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the incision.
  • Pus draining from the incision.
  • A fever.
• 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.