How To Take Care Of Baby’s Navel

How to care for a newborn’s navel is a common cause for concern, especially among parents who are having their first child. However, there is no need to worry. All you have to do is apply some basic care so that the rest of the umbilical cord comes off and heals without any problems. So how do you take care of your baby’s navel?

When a baby is inside the uterus, he receives all the nutrition he needs through the umbilical cord. Once he is born, the doctor cuts the umbilical cord because it is useless. A small stump of the umbilical cord remains attached to the baby’s body. It dries slowly until it falls off, leaving behind the scar we know as the navel.

Caring for a newborn’s navel involves preventing any type of infection. All you need to do is practice proper hygiene and take simple preventative measures to avoid infection. In just two or three weeks, the rest of the umbilical cord will come off naturally.

The navel of a newborn baby

When a baby is born, a doctor or nurse will cut the umbilical cord about 4 inches from the baby’s abdomen. The specialist will use homeostatic clamps, whose function is to control bleeding. The rest of the umbilical cord will be fixed with special plastic clamps.

From this moment, the navel of the newborn begins a process of self-destruction. As the days go by, the navel will dry out, turn, turn brown, and fall off on its own. All this takes place within 8-10 days. In babies born by cesarean section, this process can take a little longer.

Once the rest of the umbilical cord falls off, it leaves behind a wound that needs 3-5 days to heal. During this time, parents should apply special care to continue to prevent infections or other complications. Once the wound heals, you don’t have to worry.

How to take care of your baby’s navel

However, various studies have shown that this can delay the detachment of the rest of the umbilical cord. Therefore, this is only necessary when babies live in areas with poor hygiene. Otherwise, the only golden rule is for parents to keep their navel clean and dry. This involves several basic actions, such as the following:

• Parents and caregivers should wash their hands before bathing the baby or changing his or her diaper.
• Do not remove or pull on the rest of the umbilical cord. It will fall apart when the time comes.
• You can bathe your baby without worrying. However, you need to dry the area lightly and well after bathing.

• If the navel area gets dirty with urine or feces, wash it with a towel and lukewarm water.
• The navel area of ​​a newborn should remain uncovered. This means that the diaper must not step on the rest of the umbilical cord.

How to clean the navel of a newborn

When the rest of the umbilical cord falls, it is normal for there to be light bleeding. However, if the bleeding is severe or does not stop, then you should apply pressure to the area with sterile gauze and quickly consult a doctor.

Sometimes, in the navel scar, a red spot known as umbilical granuloma may appear. It’s nothing serious, but it’s worth a visit to the pediatrician.

At other times, a swelling in the navel may occur, which is a symptom of a hernia. This is not serious and tends to disappear around the age of 2 or 3 years. There may also be a small protuberance in the shape of an elephant trunk, known as a little man.

Regardless of the situation, your pediatrician will tell you what steps you need to take to make sure your baby is healthy and happy.