Baby Navel: How to Care for Your Newborn!

Are you worried about how to take care of a newborn baby’s belly button ? Rest assured, we will bring you some tips on what to do at home without fear or worries.

After all, this care is essential and easy, always with a little care and attention, especially during the first few days.

Want to know more? So, keep reading and learn all about baby navel . Check out!

Newborn baby navel

After the baby is born, one of the first cares is with the navel or umbilical stump, which can cause some discomfort and fear for parents. This is because it is a delicate and somewhat exposed area, which can give the impression of pain and sensitivity.

And no wonder, after all, this stump is the piece of cut umbilical cord, which will dry out and fall out after a few weeks of birth. However, it is worth knowing that this stump does not hurt, when without inflammation, because it has no nerve endings, being a “dead skin” and when cleaning, what can occur is a slight burning sensation and freshness when passing the alcohol.

Furthermore, it is easy to care for and only requires a lot of care and hygiene. Read on and find out how to clean your baby’s belly button correctly and without fear. Look!

How to clean a baby’s belly button

As it is a constant concern, the instruction on how to clean the navel correctly is usually given soon after birth, still in the maternity ward, especially for first-time mothers. After all, this care should be done from the first day of life until the middle of the second month, following procedures that involve hygiene, care and delicacy.

However, it is simple and easy, without the need for many resources, requiring only two utensils.

To clean you will need:

  • Cotonetes; And
  • 70% alcohol%.

After separating the materials, the procedure should be as follows:

  1. With the baby lying down in a comfortable place, moisten the cotton swab in 70% alcohol;
  2. Pass gently, without rubbing the cotton with the moistened part in the navel and around; and
  3. Allow it to dry naturally, without passing the towel or any other material after cleaning.

Repeat this process whenever there is a diaper change and especially after a shower, as the area may become moist and smell stronger. So, don’t neglect cleaning at these times. And another important point is to leave the area free to breathe, that is, without the contact of tissues or diapers.

In these cases, while the navel is not yet healed, it is best to put lighter and more comfortable clothes on the baby, avoiding friction, as well as bending the diaper’s waist, preventing the material from coming into contact with the sensitized area.

However, if after cleaning the area becomes very red with signs of pus and discharge, it may be a sign of inflammation, which is not good. So pay attention!

Signs of Irritation and Inflammation in Baby’s Navel

Generally, navel healing occurs smoothly and without surprises, as long as cleaning is done properly and regularly. However, in some situations there may be irritations and inflammations, which are usually associated with bacteria.

Typically, the most common signs are:

  • Reddish area;
  • Excessive secretion;
  • Pus;
  • Excessive bleeding;
  • Bad smell;
  • Sensitivity when touching the navel; and
  • Local pain.

When noticing these symptoms, it is very likely that the baby has an irritated navel, which requires immediate care, as well as consultations with the pediatrician who will find out the best way to treat. Therefore, the warning to seek medical help is worth it, as if it is not taken care of properly and urgently, it may present risks in the short and medium term. So, pay attention!

Likewise, it is worth knowing that during cleaning there may be some signs of dark blood and reddish-brown skin peels, which are considered normal to come off when passing the cotton swab with alcohol, as it is part of the healing process. With that, if you notice these characteristics, be calm and just notice if there really is no evidence of irritation. If not, rest assured that in a few more days the umbilical stump will fall out.

How long does the umbilical stump fall off after

After the first few days of birth, the baby’s navel or umbilical stump is still tender and light-colored, somewhat yellowish, especially closer to the belly. However, as the days go by, this stump will darken until it dries out completely and falls off.

This process can vary between each child, but it usually occurs between 10 and 21 years after birth , drying up completely and falling alone, which is a very important observation. Because, according to experts, it is not indicated and correct to pull the stump even if it is almost loose . Since, this can cause more severe bruises, irritations and inflammation that can be detrimental to the baby’s health.

So, even if you feel uncomfortable with the navel, wait for it to dry and fall on its own, as this is the right way for your baby’s body to adapt and develop.

How to care for a baby’s navel after the umbilical stump falls

Over the days, after the fall of the umbilical stump, the baby’s navel still needs care. This is because the base of the navel is still exposed for a few days, more sensitive and even a little yellowish, which indicates a healing process.

Therefore, even after the stump has fallen, continue cleaning with a cotton swab and 70% alcohol . And also pass inside the navel, in order to remove any dirt and bacteria. During the bath, wash normally with water and soap suitable for the baby and avoid rubbing the area so as not to cause pain and irritation.

However, when doing this cleaning, do it gently and gently, so as not to damage the area and also remember to always keep your hands and utensils well clean, in order to avoid contamination.

In case it occurs, as already mentioned, medical help will be needed immediately, in order to avoid aggravation of the inflammation, which can be dangerous for the newborn’s health balance.

Therefore, be careful and pay attention to care until healing. And after the first month of birth, the region will already be practically healed and without sensitivity for the baby.

What to do in case your baby’s belly button sticks out?

There are some cases in which the baby’s belly button may come out a little more protruding or sticking out than considered normal. Which can cause some discomfort among some parents and family members. This is because, according to popular traditions and beliefs, when this happens, it is necessary to place a band, cloth or even coin in the place for some time, in order to push it inside.

However, according to specialists, these methods are not recommended at all , in addition to being equally dangerous, allowing both contamination and aggravation of situations unknown by lay people, such as hernia, for example.

So, if you notice the baby’s navel sticking out or more popping out during the first months, inform the pediatrician so that the possible causes and risks can be evaluated . And if nothing serious, this feature should be monitored, as there are situations where the navel returns to normal as it grows.

However, if a hernia or other anomaly is identified, an appropriate treatment will be recommended in order to avoid harm to the baby. And usually after the first year in some cases surgery for correction may be recommended, which is also currently seen as a simple and quick procedure.

So, if your baby is born with a more protruding belly button, contact your pediatrician and avoid using straps. After all, when placing a tool that puts pressure on the area, this pressure can hurt, in addition to interfering with the newborn’s correct breathing, which can be harmful. It also causes more moisture to the area, which can affect healing.

Can bands be used on a newborn’s navel?

As previously mentioned, the use of bands on the baby’s navel is not recommended at any time, as well as fabrics, splints, coins and any other device that compresses the area. After all, this can be harmful, aggravating some situations and even negatively affecting the healing of the location and the baby’s well-being.

Therefore, do not use any utensil on the baby’s navel, except the cotton swab and 70% alcohol at the time of cleaning. Also keep your hands and area clean in order to keep the place free from bacteria.

By following these recommendations, healing will certainly be adequate, but if you notice abnormal situations, do not neglect and seek medical help as soon as possible.

Did you like to learn more about baby navel care? So leave your comment and let us know how it went with you and your baby, we’d love to hear from you!

Enjoy and read more about breastfeeding pain and how to prepare the breast for that moment .

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Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.

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