After Umbilical Hernia Repair (Child)

Your child had a procedure called umbilical hernia repair. A hernia is a weakness or tear in the wall of the belly. An umbilical hernia looks like a bubble or bulge near your child’s bellybutton. Although many umbilical hernias close on their own, some need surgery. During your child’s surgery, the health care provider made a small incision and repaired the muscle. Here are some instructions to help you care for your child once at home.

Home care

Recommendations for home care include:

• Your child's dressing will stay in place for about 48 hours.

• Don't let your child’s dressing get wet. Give your child sponge baths to keep them clean.

• Don't allow your child to shower, take a bath, or get in a swimming pool or hot tub until the health care provider says it’s OK. 

• Give your child pain medicines as directed by the provider. Pain tends to decrease or go away after 2 days.

• If your child gets constipated, talk with your child's provider. Pain medicines can be constipating. Increased fiber and a stool softener are often helpful.

• Try to keep your child calm and quiet for 3 to 4 days after surgery. This will help keep the incisions from opening. After that, your child can resume most normal activities, such as daycare or school, as directed by the provider.

• Don't let your child play rough sports until advised by your surgeon.

• Let your child eat or drink as desired.

When to call your child’s doctor

Call the health care provider right away if :

• Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your child's provider.

• Your child has shaking chills.

• Your child has vomiting or nausea that doesn’t go away.

• Your child has severe belly pain.

• Your child has trouble urinating.

• There is redness, swelling, warmth, or pain at the incision site.

• There is drainage, pus, or bleeding from the incision.

• The incision opens up or pulls apart.

• Your child does not have a bowel movement 3 days after surgery.