After the baby is born, doctors usually cut the umbilical cord. Proper care of the umbilical cord is crucial for the baby’s health because improper care can lead to issues like inflammation or bleeding. To prevent infection, it is essential to know how to disinfect a baby’s belly button. Here are the simple disinfection steps:
First, ensure the preparations are in place: prepare several cotton swabs and a bottle of 75% alcohol. Before starting the care process, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to ensure they are clean and sterile.
Next, take a cotton swab soaked in alcohol (ensure it is fully moist), gently pull the baby’s umbilical cord to expose the base, which helps speed up the natural detachment of the umbilical cord. Then, starting from the base of the cord, wipe upwards to the belly button, ensuring thorough cleaning, and then extend to the surrounding skin. Repeat this process twice.
In daily care, if the belly button remains dry and in good condition, you can directly put on a diaper after completing the above steps. However, if you notice any odor or unusual discharge from the belly button, seek medical attention promptly.
When it comes to newborn belly button care, it can be divided into two stages:
Before the cord falls off: within the first 24 hours after birth, remove the bandaged gauze to promote the drying and natural detachment of the cord. Clean the base of the cord daily with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs, avoid the diaper covering the the area to prevent contamination. Regularly check for any bleeding and keep the area clean and dry.
After the cord falls off: there may be slight oozing in the navel, continue cleaning with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs, then cover it with disinfectant gauze. During this stage, it is recommended to sponge bathe to prevent the belly button from getting wet until the wound fully heals. After that, you can gradually transition to water bathing, initially using a bathing tub to ensure the belly button is not soaked.
Points to note during care: – Wash hands before and after care. – Before the cord falls off, avoid exposing the belly button to water during baths. – Using purple medicine to treat the cord is not recommended. – Monitor for any signs of bleeding from the cord and seek medical attention promptly if there are abnormalities. – Clean the belly button with iodine-soaked cotton swabs twice a day to maintain cleanliness. – Avoid using any “anti-inflammatory powder” without medical advice. – If the belly button shows redness, swelling, oozing accompanied by discomfort in the baby, seek medical help immediately.
With these meticulous care measures, you can effectively protect the baby’s belly button from infection and promote healthy growth.
