How to disinfect and care for the navel of a newborn

The fetus is in the mother's womb, connected to the child by the placenta. After birth, the umbilical cord gradually loses its original function. At this time, the doctor will cut the umbilical cord. After a period of care, the umbilical cord will gradually fall off. During this period, parents must pay attention to avoid infection in the child's navel area, pay attention to waterproofing, and disinfect in time.

1. Pay attention to waterproofing

During the umbilical cord care process, parents should pay special attention to keeping the navel dry and not getting it wet by diapers or other items. If you find that the baby's umbilical cord cloth is wet, you should change it immediately. Do not touch or wipe the belly button with dirty hands or dirty cloth. Do not cover the navel with a diaper to avoid contaminating the navel wound with urine or feces.

Especially when bathing, if the baby's umbilical cord is wet, you should first wipe it dry with a cotton swab and then provide care. Do not let your baby take a bath in the tub before the umbilical cord falls off. You can wash the upper body first, dry it, and then wash the lower body.

2. Pay attention to observation

Within 24 hours after the umbilical cord is tied, parents should closely observe whether there is any bleeding. Some newborn babies may have a small amount of exudate or bleeding due to the loosening of the umbilical cord. If you find that the gauze covering the umbilical cord is stained with blood or soaked, you should immediately ask the doctor to disinfect and re-ligate it.

3. Pay attention to disinfection

(1) After bathing every day, disinfect with 75% alcohol, wiping in a spiral shape from the center of the navel to the surrounding areas. Do not rub back and forth randomly to avoid bringing bacteria from the surrounding skin into the navel.

(2) After the umbilical cord of a newborn baby falls off, there will be a layer of scab at the root. After the scab falls off, there will be moisture or rice soup-like liquid oozing out locally. At this time, parents can wipe it clean with a sterilized cotton swab dipped in 75% alcohol.

Special circumstances: If granulation tissue, purulent secretions, redness, swelling, and a foul odor are found at the base of the navel, and the navel is red and swollen, it means that omphalitis has occurred and you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening.