It takes 3-7 days, or even nearly a month, for newborn babies to dry and fall completely. During that time, the umbilical care for the baby is especially important, because only a small mistake, the risk of umbilical cord infection, umbilical cord infection is very high.
With the baby in the womb, the umbilical cord plays an important role, transporting nutrients from the mother so that the baby can develop each day. By the time the baby is born, the umbilical cord no longer needs to maintain its duties, and will be removed by doctors as a "procedure" that marks the baby's birth. From an umbilical cord with a length of about 20-60 cm, the umbilical cord after birth will only be about 4-5 cm .. Usually, waiting time for the navel to dry and fall will last from 7-21 day.
Because a child's umbilical cord is an open wound, if not cared for properly, the chance of infection is very high. If the baby is infected with the umbilical cord, if it is not detected and treated in time, it will lead to blood infection, even death.
Bathing for babies: When to limit For those who are first-time mothers, bathing babies is always a first time experience confusing mothers. Overcoming the bath properly and properly, the mother also has to equip more information on absolute cases of not bathing the baby. Refer to the following 6 cases of taboo!
1 / How to clean the umbilical cord for babies: Things to note
- Before cleaning the umbilical cord for children, mothers should wash their hands with soap, then use 90 degree alcohol to disinfect again.
- Remove the umbilical bandage (if any) and look for anything unusual, such as the belly button has a strange smell, has pus discharge, is red or bleeding.
- Use a cotton to absorb boiling water to cool gently wipe the umbilical area for the baby in the order from the base of the umbilical cord, the body of the umbilical cord, and then to the surface of the umbilical cord. Continue to use a cotton bath to pat dry the area of the umbilical cord and navel feet. Note that the cotton swab should be changed after each baby disinfection.
- Use 70 degree alcohol to disinfect the skin around the navel.
In fact, newborn babies do not need to use the umbilical bandage as many mothers do, but if it feels reassuring to the mother, proceed with a thin gauze pad.
A diaper should be wrapped under the baby's navel, to avoid getting the child's stool and urine on the navel area
2 / Common mistakes when cleaning the umbilical cord for babies
- The umbilical bandage is too tight, too tight: Contrary to the thinking of many mothers, the tight bandage, sealing bandage does not help protect the baby's navel but creates conditions for bacteria to grow, leading to a higher risk of infection.
- Arbitrarily jerking the umbilical nipple "ahead of time": The dry and falling of the umbilical cord is a natural process, and does not require mother's intervention. Tugging and pulling on the baby's umbilical cord when the umbilical cord is not “ripe” enough can cause pain, bleeding and infection.
- Let your baby soak in water: For babies who have not yet lost their umbilical cord, when bathing the baby , mothers should limit their baby's navel to get wet, avoid prolonging the time of navel loss and increase the risk of umbilical cord infection.
- Apply strange medicine to the umbilical cord for children: According to folk experience, covering leaves, applying opium, pepper powder ... can help the umbilical cord to dry quickly and fall off quickly. However, this is completely wrong. According to health experts, mothers should let the baby's navel dry naturally, should not apply, apply anything to the baby's navel to avoid infection, and leave many dangerous sequelae for the baby.
3 steps to perfect baby care The first time you become a mother, you will be confused and confused about how to properly take care of the baby. If you still wonder, you can refer to the following short infant care handbook. A lot of useful information!
3 / Handling when the baby has umbilical infection
When observing the baby's umbilical cord there are unusual phenomena such as odor, yellow fluid, pus, red swelling ..., that means your baby is showing signs of umbilical inflammation, mom! In this case, mothers can use a cotton swab soaked in 35 degrees alcohol to clean the navel, then use 3% alcohol to wipe the pus and secretions.
If the outside of the navel is crusted but still secreting pus, the mother can use cotton soaked with 0.1% Nitrofurazone to cover the baby's umbilical cord 3-4 times a day. In severe cases, prolonged discharge of pus, constant fussy crying, high fever, fatigue ... the mother should promptly take the baby to the hospital.
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