If an older child complains of pain in the area of the postoperative wound – it is necessary to give prescribed painkillers. The child should not be given painkillers prophylactically in the absence of pain. Approximately 7-10 days after removal of stitches, children can be bathed.

Newborns and young children can be bathed in the tub. It is necessary to bathe in comfortable conditions (water about 38 degrees, air about 24 degrees), without a loofah, and in water it is better to add decoction of chamomile or herd.
During the first month after surgery, it is prohibited to take a bath for older children, they shall take showers showers, preferably sitting.

After bathing it is necessary to examine the postoperative scar. If there are an experience redness, swelling, pain, or any discharge in the area of ​​the scar, tell your surgeon or cardiac doctor immediately.

After the examination, if everything is normal, the suture should be lubricated with an aqueous solution of iodine (betadine or kutasept), which can be purchased at the pharmacy. The suture should be treated 2-3 times a day until complete healing.
After the surgery it is necessary to limit the child’s direct contact with others in order to avoid contact with possible infection.

You shall measure children’s body temperature every day, If the temperature is above 37.5 – contact your doctor immediately.

To prevent infectious endocarditis at the first signs of acute infectious diseases in a child (angina, bronchitis, pneumonia, cystitis, etc.) it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor to select effective antibacterial therapy. (more details).
Visits to the children’s polyclinic at the place of residence should be carried out regularly to detect and timely treat chronic infection in children with tonsillitis, caries (even deciduous teeth), adenoiditis, etc.

If your child is prescribed an anticoagulant, be sure to tell your doctor before any surgical procedure, including dental, or any medical examination, as this drug affects blood clotting and the duration of bleeding.

1. Gradually expand the diet of the older child to the usual preoperative diet. Meals should be balanced in terms of quantity and composition of food. Losing excess weight of your child will greatly facilitate the work of the heart. Try not to overfeed the child, it is better to transfer it to fractional nutrition.

2. Newborns and young children need to be given the usual formula or breast milk, gradually reach the amount of feeding appropriate for their age, after which new foods can be gradually introduced.

3. After heart surgery, the child should be switched to diet food, do not give children salty and abundantly seasoned dishes so that the child does not feel thirsty after eating.

4. Try to prevent constipation to avoid stressing your heart. Give older children vegetables and fruits (both raw and baked), fermented milk products, prunes, replace regular bread with bran bread. For small children with a tendency to constipation, do not introduce cereals and soups with rice into the diet. If you are breastfeeding, follow a strict diet.

5. Try to weigh your baby at least 2 times a week. It is necessary to monitor the weight gain in the newborn or the fluctuations in weight when taking diuretics. If the child’s weight quickly increased by 0.5 – 1 kg or decreased within a few days, consult a doctor for nutritional adjustments or dosage of diuretics.

Your child’s activity after heart surgery usually corresponds to his/hers well-being. When tired or unwell, children usually choose a calm and sedentary game. Do not offer older children, for example, playing football or rollerblading, because in a state of excitement, the child does not immediately admit to feeling unwell.
Newborns and young children can be placed on the abdomen a few days after surgery. The child can sleep in any position convenient for him.
Before being discharged from the hospital, your doctor will advise you on work-out and massage for your child.
For older children, walking is the optimal type of exercise after heart surgery. Take walks with the child on a flat surface, in good weather, but not immediately after eating.
At first, older children may find it difficult to get out of bed.

You need to get up gradually, in several steps: turn to the side, get your feet off the bed, sit down, wait a few minutes and get up.
On average, the chest is healed in 6 weeks after surgery.

During this period, older children should avoid movements that create a load on the chest:
– do not lift heavy objects more than 2.5 kg (trash can, shopping bags, briefcases with books, etc.);
– do not open or close sliding windows and doors;
– do not use devices that require physical effort (eg, vacuum cleaner);
– do not ride a bike, do not do push up;
– swimming is prohibited for 3 months.

The child can do light homework (set the table, wash dishes, etc.).
Do not lift small children for both hands, do not pull one hand while walking, especially if the child is tired. Take them in your arms, picking up under the buttocks and holding their backs.
Ventilate the children’s room several times a day, do wet cleaning every day.