Pyloric stenosis is a thickening of the pylorus muscle. The pylorus is a muscular valve that opens and closes to control the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine. When the muscle thickens, it narrows the opening between the stomach and the small intestine. Food can't move easily into the small intestine.
The treatment for this condition is surgery called pyloromyotomy. During the surgery, the pylorus muscle that blocks the passage from the stomach into the intestine is cut. Here’s what you need to know about home care for your baby after surgery.
Incision care
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Keep your baby’s incision clean and dry. Don’t use lotion, powder, oil, alcohol, or cream on it.
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You can give your baby sponge baths for
2 days after the surgery. After that, you can give your baby baths. Make sure to keep the incision out of the water. -
Don’t remove the white sticky strips on your baby’s incision. Let them fall off on their own. If surgical glue was used, it will peel off on its own in
5 to 10 days. -
Don’t lift your baby under the arms. This will stretch the stitches and may cause pain. Instead, lift your baby by supporting their buttocks and head.
Other home care
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If you breastfeed, you can breastfeed your baby as normal.
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If you use formula, don’t give your baby more than
3 ounces every3 hours for the first3 days. After3 days, you can slowly increase the amount as directed by your child's health care provider. -
Don’t worry about limiting your baby’s activity. Most babies can go back to normal activity soon after surgery.
To treat pain:
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Talk with your child's health care provider about what signs to watch for to know if your baby is in pain.
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Talk with your provider before giving acetaminophen for pain if needed. Ask how much medicine to give your child and how often.
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Don’t give more than the maximum daily dose in any 24-hour period.
Follow-up care
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your child's health care provider.
When to contact your doctor
Contact your child's health care provider or get medical care right away if any of the following occur:
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Fever of
100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher, or as directed by your provider -
Redness, swelling, bleeding, or smelly fluid at the incision site
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Pain that is not helped by medicine
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Signs of fluid loss (dehydration), such as fewer wet diapers, no tears when crying, or sunken soft spot (fontanel) on your baby’s head
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Vomiting more than
3 times in a row, or vomiting that lasts more than48 hours after discharge -
Your baby's belly appears to be swelling
Featured in
Online Medical Reviewer: Dan Brennan MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Lalitha Kadali
Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
Date Last Reviewed: 03/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is a problem that causes forceful vomiting. It affects babies from birth to 6 months of age. It can lead to dehydration. This condition is the second most common reason why newborns have surgery.
Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is narrowing of the pylorus. This can block the passage of food out of the stomach. The problem is often first seen in young infants.
