When do i know that i need to take my baby in for a hernia operation?

Symptom/age depends: It depends if the hernia has bowel in it or is simply fluid filled. If there is bowel in it, it could get stuck in the hernia which would require emergency surgery. If there is just fluid (hydrocele), then one can wait until the child is 1 year before elective surgery.

At diagnosis: If your baby has truly been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia as opposed to an umbilical hernia or a hydrocele, then surgery should be performed.

Depends: Any hernia associated with complications (eg. Incarceration, obstruction, pain, etc) should be repaired right away. Inguinal hernias should be repaired when diagnosed. Umbilical hernias in infants may close spontaneously. Generally, it should be repaired if not closed by age 2.

Age 5: Belly button or umbilical hernias are generally not repaired until the age of 5. They can actually spontaneous close prior to age 5.