The care of the newborn's umbilical cord must be done in the right way. This aims to prevent irritation and infection of the baby's umbilical cord. What steps need to be taken in caring for the baby's umbilical cord? Check out the information in the following review.
Steps for Care of the Newborn's Umbilical Cord - In general, the umbilical cord or umbilical cord of a newborn will fall off or fall off within 1-3 weeks after birth. As long as it doesn't come off, the baby's parents need to keep the area clean and dry. This is because wet and damp conditions in the umbilical cord area can trigger the growth of germs that cause infection.
The Right Way to Care for a Newborn's Umbilical Cord
Care of the newborn's umbilical cord should not be done carelessly. There are certain ways to keep this baby's limbs clean and dry. These methods include:
1. Keeping the umbilical cord clean
Before taking care of the baby's umbilical cord, don't forget to wash your hands first. The umbilical cord does not need to be cleaned with alcohol. Just clean with water, if indeed the umbilical cord is dirty. The umbilical cord should also be dried using a soft cloth or by fanning it to dry.
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Recent research says that the umbilical cord may heal faster if left alone. Washing it with alcohol, soap, or antiseptic liquid can actually irritate the skin around the umbilical cord and make it heal longer. Also avoid giving certain oils, powders, herbs, or herbal medicines around the umbilical cord
2. Keeping the umbilical cord dry
Leave the umbilical cord in an open condition without being covered with dry gauze or covered by a diaper. When putting on a baby's diaper, try not to cover the umbilical cord with the diaper. This is so that the umbilical cord is not exposed to urine and baby feces which can cause infection. Babies also need to wear clothes made of soft and absorb sweat, so that air circulation runs well on their skin. Also avoid wearing bodysuits (which cover the whole body) on your little one.
3. Let the umbilical cord fall off naturally
Letting the umbilical cord fall off on its own is one of the best ways to properly care for the umbilical cord. Do not force the umbilical cord off by pulling it, as this can cause bleeding and infection. As long as the umbilical cord is still attached, bathe the baby by washing his body using a washcloth or bath sponge. Avoid soaking the baby in the tub until the umbilical cord dies.
Things to Pay Attention to During Baby's Umbilical Cord Care
You don't have to worry if you see discoloration of the baby's umbilical cord during the healing process. In the early days after the baby is born, the umbilical cord is usually yellowish and shiny. Over time, the umbilical cord will dry out and shrink until it finally falls off. Usually the color of the umbilical cord will be brown, gray, purplish, bluish, then black.
When the umbilical cord pulls off, there may be a little blood in the little one's navel. Don't worry, this is also normal. In addition, sometimes there is clear or yellow fluid and tissue residue in the belly button called umbilical granulomas. This fluid will go away on its own. Conditions that need to be watched out for and need treatment by a doctor are if the baby's umbilical cord shows signs of infection, such as:
- Pus in the umbilical cord
- baby fever
- The skin around the umbilical cord area is swollen and red
- Umbilical cord is yellowish or smells bad
- The umbilical cord is bleeding profusely and continuously
- Babies cry whenever the umbilical cord or surrounding skin is touched
Caring for the newborn's umbilical cord is generally not too difficult, it's just that patience is needed in caring for it until the umbilical cord is completely lost. Never force it off even though it looks healed. The most important thing is to take care of the baby's umbilical cord properly, so that the umbilical cord detachment and healing can be faster.
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However, your little one needs to be checked by a pediatrician if the umbilical cord has not fallen off after 3-6 weeks. The reason is, this can be a sign of a health problem, such as an infection or immune system disorder.
Steps for Care of the Newborn's Umbilical Cord
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