DS is 15 months old and the pediatrician on base (I'm in the Air Force), said that if it doesn't go down by the time he's three then they will perform a surgery. I've heard a lot of things from other parents like 3 is way too long, ect. I'm curious to know if any other parents have toddlers with a hernia and if so, what are your pedi's saying about it? It doesn't seem to hurt him.
Re: Umbilical Hernia
It's not an outie, its a hernia which is weakening in the abdominal walls where intestines push out on.
DD has one and we have had a pediatric surgical consult. He told us that if it doesn't go away by 2 then they perform surgery. The reason they don't do it sooner is because it has a chance returning. I don't think 3 is too long to wait but we would rather have done a little earlier so that she doesn't really remember it and be afraid.
It may be a "minor" surgery, but ANY surgery has its risks and I don't want to unnecessarily put my child under if there is a chance that it will go away.
At the pediatric surgery center I work at we don't usually see them for repair until at least 3, usually more like 4 or 5. As long as it's not causing any issues, I'd definitely take your pediatrician's advice and wait until at least 3. For what its worth, kids do great after the repair, and are basically back to normal the next day.