What should I do if my newborn's navel is inflamed?

Newborn babies are not fully developed and are easily infected, which can lead to navel inflammation. So what is the cause of navel inflammation in newborns? What should we do if navel inflammation occurs in newborns? How to prevent navel inflammation in newborns? How to care for the umbilical cord of newborns? The following editor will introduce you in detail.

What is the cause of inflammation of the newborn's navel?

Improper disinfection

After delivery, the doctor will prescribe 2.5-3.5% hydrogen peroxide and PVP iodine disinfectant solution for parents to use together, and ask parents to disinfect and treat the baby's navel. Usually many parents cannot disinfect correctly, and they think that just cleaning the surface of the navel is enough.

Inadequate health care

Many parents lack sufficient knowledge of umbilical cord health care and hygiene, and do not realize the importance of umbilical cord care. The skin and mucous membranes of newborn babies are very delicate, and a large number of blood vessels under the skin can easily rupture and cause infection.

Bad habits

Some parents do not pay attention to the hygiene and safety of their babies. When their babies cry because of illness, they do not take them to the doctor in time. Instead, they take some unsterilized sharp objects and prick the skin around the baby's navel by themselves.

What to do if the newborn's navel is inflamed

Keep it dry. It should be kept dry before the baby's umbilical cord 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.

Avoid friction, the diaper should be of appropriate size, and never let the waist of the diaper just 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.

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

How to prevent newborn navel inflammation

Wait patiently for the umbilical cord stump to fall off naturally

Generally, the baby's umbilical cord will gradually turn black and harden, and the umbilical cord stump will naturally shrink within 1 to 2 days and fall off within 1 to 2 weeks. Most babies' belly buttons will heal on their own in about half a month. But before it falls off naturally, do not rush to pull off the umbilical cord stump, even if it seems to be only connected a little bit.

Do a good job of disinfection and cleaning

During the healing process of the umbilical cord, clear or light yellow sticky secretions often seep out; the newly fallen navel is like a wound on the skin, and sometimes some blood seeps out. This is normal. Use 75% alcohol to gently clean the navel fossa, 1 to 2 times a day, and after 2 to 3 days, the navel fossa will no longer be damp but become dry.

Careful observation

During the process of the umbilical cord stump falling off, the skin around the navel often turns slightly red, which is a normal phenomenon during the process of the residual part falling off. However, if the skin around the navel becomes red, swollen and smelly, it is likely that the navel has localized suppuration, and the baby should be taken to the doctor in time.

How to care for the baby's umbilical cord

Mothers must wash their hands when caring for the umbilical cord area to prevent bacteria on their hands from infecting the baby's navel.

When bathing your baby, keep the umbilical cord out of water before it falls off. If you take your baby swimming during the newborn stage, be sure to use waterproof stickers.

The umbilical cord and the skin around it should be kept dry and clean, especially the diaper should not cover the navel to avoid contaminating the navel wound with urine or feces.

Never use gentian violet. Some babies' belly buttons do not fall off for a long time, or pus forms after they fall off. Some elderly people use gentian violet to wipe the baby's umbilical cord in order to dry it. This method was often used in the past, but it is not recommended in medicine now because the drying effect of gentian violet is limited to the surface, while the drying effect of iodine tincture dries from the inside out.

Use iodine cotton swab to wipe twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. When wiping, lift the small string at the ligation site of the umbilical cord with one hand, and use the cotton swab dipped in iodine to fully wipe the place where the umbilical cord connects to the flesh with the other hand. Wrap it with sterile gauze. Change the dressing regularly in the future. If the cotton swab is dirty, it should be replaced in time. Do not use a dirty cotton swab to wipe repeatedly, as this will cause infection and inflammation.