Newborn umbilical cord care done at home must be the right way. This aims to prevent irritation and infection of the baby’s umbilical cord. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions to supply oxygen and nutrients to the baby in the developing womb.
At the time after the baby is born, the baby’s umbilical cord is no longer needed. So that 1 minute immediately after the baby is born, the umbilical cord will be clamped and then cut and leaving 2-3 cm for the formation of the baby’s navel. The baby’s umbilical cord normally disappears within 7 days of birth. However, it is not uncommon for some cases to delay the umbilical cord puput until the 10th day or so after the baby is born.
One of the factors that affect the detachment of the baby’s umbilical cord is how to care for the umbilical cord newborn baby which is conducted. Newborn umbilical cord care done correctly, will affect the umbilical cord quickly released and avoid various kinds of infections. During the specified time for the release of the umbilical cord, of course we must ensure that the cord area remains clean and dry.
There are several steps that must be taken to care for the umbilical cord at home. If this step is done correctly, the baby’s umbilical cord will be released at a time that is said to be normal. Well, of course you are curious about what are the steps to take care of the umbilical cord for a newborn? let’s see the following summary.
Also Read: Baby’s Navel
Steps for Newborn Baby Umbilical Cord Care
The care of the newborn’s umbilical cord should not be taken lightly and should be done haphazardly. This is so that one of the baby’s limbs remains dry and clean.
Keeping the Umbilical Cord Clean
The umbilical cord is now not recommended for washing using alcohol anymore. Washing the baby’s umbilical cord using alcohol or other antiseptic solutions will cause skin irritation around the umbilical cord. This will certainly make him recover longer. You can clean it simply by using water alone.
Clean the baby’s umbilical cord until no dirt remains. Clean the umbilical cord area using a cotton bud slowly, making sure the dirt sticks to the cotton. Then dry the water rinse using a soft cloth. You can also dry it by fanning it.
Drying the umbilical cord for newborns is intended to prevent infection from occurring because of the moist surface that allows germs to stick. Avoid using powder, oil or other herbal remedies around the baby’s umbilical cord.
Keeping the Umbilical Cord Dry
The cord should be left open without a dry gauze cover or a diaper. The umbilical cord is left open so that air can enter and the umbilical cord will dry quickly and quickly release itself. Also do not cover the diaper so that the baby’s umbilical cord is not exposed to urine and baby feces that can cause infection.
When you put a diaper on a baby, try not to cover the umbilical cord. It is best if your baby is also wearing clothes that are soft and absorb sweat. So that the creation of air circulation well on the skin. If the umbilical cord has not been untied, avoid the baby wearing bodysuit-style clothing that covers the baby’s entire body.
Avoid using ointments or drugs without a doctor’s prescription
During the treatment of the baby’s cord, you should avoid using ointments if they are not recommended by your doctor. This will harm the baby. The use of ointment on the baby’s umbilical cord in order to speed up drying, will actually harm the baby.
The bad thing that might happen is infection and lead to bleeding. The umbilical cord is simply left alone without the use of ointments or anything without a doctor’s advice.
Let the Cord Loose Naturally
Let the baby’s umbilical cord come off on its own. You should not force the baby’s umbilical cord off by pulling it. If this happens, it can cause bleeding and will certainly invite infection. It is the right way to let the cord loose on its own.
When bathing the baby before the umbilical cord puput, avoid immersing him or her in the baby bath. Use a washcloth or sponge to wash the baby’s body. If the umbilical cord is disconnected, you can just bathe the baby by immersing him in the baby tub.
Steps Before Cleaning the Baby’s Umbilical Cord
Before doing any baby’s umbilical cord care, you must make sure that you are clean. Here are the steps.
- Wash your hands with soap under running water and make sure your hands are clean.
- Dry the baby’s umbilical cord after washing the baby. Dry the umbilical cord with a soft and clean cloth, do this until the umbilical cord is dry.
- Do not cover the baby’s umbilical cord with octopus. The use of octopus can inhibit the development of the baby’s organs.
- After the umbilical cord is clean and dry, use a diaper not to cover the umbilical cord. Leave the umbilical cord without using a covering like gauze to dry.
What To Look For During Umbilical Cord Care
If there is a discoloration of the umbilical cord, you don’t need to worry. Because the discoloration of the baby’s umbilical cord is a healing process. After the baby is born, the general umbilical cord has a shiny yellowish color. Over time, the umbilical cord shrinks and dries until it falls off.
Usually the baby’s umbilical cord will turn brown, then black. When the baby’s umbilical cord is released or the puput there will be a little blood in the baby’s navel. This is normal. Sometimes there is a yellowish clear fluid and tissue residue in the navel, the fluid can disappear on its own.
Conditions that we need to be aware of and need to be treated by a doctor if the baby’s umbilical cord shows some signs of infection as follows:
- The umbilical cord is drained of pus
- The baby has a fever, is fussy, looks limp
- The skin around the umbilical cord swells accompanied by redness
- The umbilical cord is yellowish and smells bad
- The umbilical cord bleeds profusely and continuously
- The baby cries every time the umbilical cord is touched
Even though it looks easy to care for the baby’s umbilical cord, it is not uncommon for parents to have difficulty. Newborn umbilical cord care is generally not difficult. It’s just that we need to be patient in caring for it until the umbilical cord is completely released by itself. Never once in a while you force the umbilical cord to loose even though it looks dry and looks healed.
The most important thing we do is take care of the newborn’s umbilical cord properly. So that the baby’s umbilical cord can be released on time and healing is faster. If the umbilical cord has not been untied within 3-6 weeks after birth, imme
diately check your baby to the doctor for further treatment.
This can indicate a health problem such as an infection or a disruption in the immune system in the baby. If this happens, you don’t panic first. Keep baby warm and breastfeed. After that you immediately take it to the doctor.
Hope it is useful!
