New mothers must know: How to care for the umbilical cord of a newborn

It is very important to take care of the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. The umbilical cord of a newborn baby has not yet fully healed. If it is not properly cared for, it is easy to get infected and cause serious baby diseases. The editor recommends that new mothers do a good job of cleaning, caring and maintaining the umbilical cord.

Scientific care methods for newborn umbilical cord

1. Before the umbilical cord falls off

After the umbilical cord is cut, a wound is formed, which is an important portal for bacteria to invade the newborn's body. In mild cases, it can cause omphalitis, and in severe cases, it often leads to sepsis and death. Therefore, the disinfection and care of the umbilical cord is very important: before the umbilical cord falls off, the local area needs to be kept clean and dry, especially the diaper should not cover the navel to avoid wetting the navel wound after urination. Check the gauze bandage for bleeding on a regular basis. If bleeding occurs, it needs to be re-ligated to stop bleeding. If there is no bleeding, just wipe the root of the umbilical cord with a 75% alcohol cotton swab every day and wait for it to fall off naturally.

2. After the umbilical cord falls off

After the umbilical cord falls off, there is often a small amount of exudate in the navel. At this time, you can use a 75% alcohol cotton swab to clean the navel, and then cover it with sterilized gauze. In the past, some people advocated applying 1% gentian violet (gentian violet) locally, because gentian violet has a bactericidal and astringent effect, but because gentian violet has weak penetrating power, sometimes a scab has formed on the epidermis and an abscess is underneath, so now most people advocate using a cotton swab dipped in 75% alcohol for disinfection. But be careful not to sprinkle "anti-inflammatory powder" on the navel to prevent infection. If there is purulent secretion in the navel, the surrounding skin is red, swollen, and hot, and the child has anorexia, vomiting, fever, or no temperature rise (rectal temperature is lower than 35 degrees Celsius), it indicates omphalitis and should be treated in the hospital immediately.

3. Keep dry

The baby's umbilical cord should be kept dry before it falls off. Especially if the base of the umbilical cord is accidentally wetted during bathing, it should be wiped clean with a clean cotton swab before performing umbilical cord care.

4. Avoid friction

The diaper should be of appropriate size, and the waist of the diaper should never be placed at the base of the umbilical cord. This will easily cause friction to the base of the umbilical cord when the baby moves, causing skin breakage, redness, and even bleeding.

5. Avoid stuffiness

Never apply creams, lotions or oils to the base of the umbilical cord, as this may prevent the cord from drying out and may even lead to infection.

6. Scientific wiping

Generally speaking, doctors will recommend using iodine for infants to disinfect and dry the navel. Disinfection of the surface alone is not enough. When disinfecting, the navel should be exposed with the index finger and thumb of the left hand, and a small cotton swab dipped in disinfectant should be used with the right hand to thoroughly disinfect from the inside out in a spiral shape, paying attention to the disinfection of the concave part of the lower edge of the navel. At the same time, the area should be kept clean and dry to prevent root infection. If the navel is damp, bleeding, or has increased secretions, disinfection should be strengthened.

7. It is not advisable to use gentian violet (commonly known as gentian violet) and umbilical cord powder

Because the powder will stick to the secretions and form a scab after being sprinkled locally, it will affect wound healing and increase the chance of infection; while gentian violet can only dry the surface; iodine tincture for babies has a disinfecting effect from the inside out.

What problems with the new baby's belly button require medical attention?

Normally, the umbilical cord of a newborn baby will fall off within two weeks of birth. However, the baby's umbilical cord may also be abnormal and should be diagnosed and treated in time.

1. Umbilical eczema

The rash on the navel and surrounding skin caused by allergic factors is manifested as papules, erosion, exudation and desquamation. It can be treated by washing with 1% to 4% boric acid solution, applying zinc oxide oil, etc.

2. Umbilical cord

After the umbilical cord falls off, there is a red, smooth, moist, mucosal-like mass on the wound surface, which is very similar to a small polyp and has a small amount of secretion, called umbilical cord. Umbilical cord is different from granuloma. It is intestinal mucosal tissue and is the remnant of the yolk duct during the embryonic period. The treatment of umbilical cord is the same as that of granuloma.

3. Umbilical fistula

After the umbilical cord falls off, there is a mucosal substance in the middle of the umbilicus, with a hole in the center, intestinal contents are discharged, and there is a foul smell, and the surrounding skin is eroded. This is caused by the yolk duct communicating with the umbilicus during the embryo, and the yolk duct has not closed and remains, which requires hospitalization for removal and treatment.

4. Umbilical hernia

There is a round or semicircular swelling in the umbilicus, which increases when crying and recovers when quiet. The edge of the root can be touched by inserting a finger. This is because the rectus abdominis sheath in the umbilicus has not closed. When the abdominal pressure increases, the peritoneum and intestines protrude outward from this part. Small umbilical hernias will heal on their own after 1 year old, or be fixed with pressure tape. Large umbilical hernias need surgical treatment after 2 to 4 years old.

5. Omphalitis

Water or purulent discharge from the umbilicus. Redness and swelling of the umbilical skin or purulent discharge after removing the umbilical fossa scab. Umbilical discharge has a foul odor. In addition to local disinfection and cleaning, antibiotics may be required. Go to the hospital for examination. If there is fever, tearful eyes, weak spirit, and poor feeding, you should also be alert to sepsis and seek medical attention urgently without delay.

6. Umbilical granuloma

After the umbilical cord falls off, if the wound surface at the root of the umbilical cord is stimulated by foreign bodies (such as talcum powder, blood scab) or infected, small granulation tissue will form locally: diameter ~ cm, moist surface, with a small amount of mucus or bloody secretions, which will not heal over time. At this time, you should seek medical attention in time. The doctor will use silver nitrate to burn or scrape the local area or electrocautery, all of which can be cured. If the above methods are ineffective, surgical removal should be performed.

What to do if the umbilical cord of a newborn is bleeding

1. Care for umbilical cord detachment

Generally, the umbilical cord will dry and fall off about 7-10 days after the baby is born. Generally, most umbilical cords will fall off cleanly within 14 days, and the navel will dry up quickly. If the baby's navel bleeds, parents can gently wipe off the blood with 75% ethanol, and then bandage the baby's navel with sterilized gauze. Generally, it will heal in a few days. Since the baby is young, there is no need to use hemostatic drugs, but attention should be paid to the drying of the navel.

2. Keep your belly button clean

The navel secretions are high, so parents should clean the navel regularly. After bathing your baby, remember to dry the navel. You can use a cotton swab dipped in 95% alcohol to wipe the navel, but do not sprinkle talcum powder around the navel at will. When changing the baby's diaper, you should also check whether the navel is dry. If the navel is wet, repeat the above steps and wipe it again with 95% alcohol. The dried navel will be easy to fall off.

3. Beware of bacterial infection in umbilical polyp buds

After the baby's umbilical cord is cut short, umbilical polyp buds may appear at the navel. Generally speaking, the buds will slowly dry up and fall off like the umbilical cord. If the umbilical polyp buds have not subsided after more than half a month, the mother can ask the doctor to use chemical substances to destroy the growth of the buds. After a few days, the umbilical polyp buds will slowly dry up and fall off.

What to do if the newborn's umbilical cord does not fall off

Normally, the umbilical cord of most newborns falls off in about 2 weeks. If the baby's umbilical cord has not fallen off after 2 weeks, parents must carefully observe the condition of the umbilical cord to see if there are signs of infection or inflammation, such as no redness, swelling or suppuration; if there is no large amount of fluid oozing out of the baby's navel, parents do not need to worry too much, just insist on disinfecting the baby's navel with alcohol every day. If there is any abnormality, it is recommended to take the baby to the hospital for treatment.