General, Minimally Invasive & Thoracic Surgery

Instructions For Your Child After Repair Of An Umbilical Hernia

DRESSING:

• Your child will have a dressing over the belly button area of gauze covered by tape.
• Leave the dressing on for 3 days.  Place your child in a warm tub bath for 5-10 minutes to soak the dressing, then remove the dressing.

STITCHES:

 Stitches hold the incision together.

• They are under the skin; they do not need to be removed.
• The body will absorb them.

BATH:

• Keep the dressing dry for 3 days – sponge bathing is okay.
• After 3 days the child should have a tub bath to help remove the dressing.  The child can then bathe or shower as usual.

ACTIVITY:

Today:

• Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
• Your child may be unsteady on his/her feet.
• Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

• No strenuous activity such as bike riding, gymnastics, contact sports, martial arts or school gym until you check with the doctor at the follow-up appointment.

DIET:

• Your child may eat or drink as usual.
• If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours.   Then offer small amounts of clear liquids, half strength formula or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Then slowly start on their normal diet.

PAIN:

• Your child may have a prescription for pain medication such as Tylenol® with Codeine. If the incision remains uncomforatble use the prescription medication according to instructions.
• Your child may take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.