The baby's navel is a special structure that forms during pregnancy. During fetal development, the baby receives oxygen and nutrients from the mother through the umbilical cord, which is connected to the placenta.
We define the navel as the region where the umbilical cord is cut after birth, approximately 2 to 3 centimeters from the baby's belly. The remaining piece of cord is left to dry and eventually falls off, usually within a week or two of birth. This results in the formation of a small piece of tissue called the umbilical stump.
During the first few days and weeks, it is important to keep your baby's belly button clean and dry to prevent infections. Generally, doctors recommend keeping the area clean with mild soap and water and keeping it dry, avoiding the use of diapers that could rub the umbilical stump.
The formation of the baby's belly button
As the umbilical stump dries and falls off, a new umbilicus begins to form. This process is natural and does not require any special care. Your baby's belly button may look different as it heals, but it usually heals completely within a few weeks.
It is important to observe for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pus or a bad smell. If you notice any of these signs, it is recommended that you contact a healthcare professional to assess the situation and provide appropriate guidance.
Remember that this information is general and it is always important to follow the advice of the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for your baby's care.
Baby belly button care
Caring for your baby's belly button is an important part of postnatal care. Here are some basic guidelines to help keep your child clean and prevent infections:
1. Proper hygiene: During the first few weeks, clean the baby's belly button carefully using a cotton ball soaked in 70% alcohol (or following the recommendations of the your doctor). Gently clean the base of the umbilical cord and the surrounding skin, gently removing any debris or secretions. Repeat this process twice a day or as directed by your doctor.
2. Keep your belly button dry: It is important to keep it as dry as possible. Fold the top of the diaper below the belly button to allow air to circulate and prevent moisture build-up.
3. Avoid covering the navel: When dressing the baby, choose clothes that do not cover it or that have a special opening to allow adequate ventilation. Tight clothing can rub and irritate the area.
4. Proper diaper changing: When changing the diaper, make sure the diaper is not too tight and the area is exposed to facilitate drying . Use disposable diapers that have a special cutout or fold the top of the diaper below the umbilical cord.
5. Observe the signs: Pay attention to any distinctive signs of the baby, such as redness, swelling, bad smell, purulent discharge or excessive bleeding. If you notice any of these signs, contact your baby's pediatrician immediately.
6. Avoid submerging the baby in water: During the first few days, avoid submerging the baby in bathtubs or swimming pools to prevent the umbilical cord from becoming soaked. Instead, wipe the baby with a damp sponge until the cord falls off naturally.
Red navel
This can happen when there is an increase in local temperature, contact with urine or feces and cause the appearance of pus or an unpleasant odor.
In this case, the ideal is to clean the area with saline solution and keep it clean, dry and exposed to air. If pus or odor persists, seek professional advice as there is a risk of developing an infection.
What to do if the area becomes sticky?
Being sticky is quite common, especially when the weather is hot, as the humidity behind the navel increases and the fabric becomes sticky.
To avoid this, always try to dry with gauze after taking a shower, to untangle your hair and thus avoid the accumulation of dirt.
What to do to avoid discomfort with allergies
When the baby starts to feel discomfort in the navel area, it is possible that there is an allergy or another cause. The ideal is to see a doctor to assess the situation and prescribe the best medications or treatments. A good option is to use chamomile tea to clean the area, but it is important not to forget to follow the prescribed treatment.
What should you do when your baby's belly button falls out?
When a belly button drops, the ligaments that keep the belly button connected to the baby's abdomen relax. No treatment is necessary, as healing occurs naturally.
The ideal is to clean daily with water and neutral soap, to keep bacteria away. Furthermore, try to humidify it, leaving it clean and exposed to air so that it dries well.
Treating a baby's navel brings with it many popular traditions such as if the navel is out, placing coins among other objects to try to get back into place. This is dangerous mom, remember that the belly button is a very sensitive area and is easily infected, so only sterile objects can come close to this area and those that have a large circulation, such as coins, cannot have contact with your baby.< /p>
Navel Disposal
After the navel falls off, we have another range of possibilities for popular traditions, making jewelry, keeping it as a souvenir, burying it, or throwing it in the trash?
According to beliefs, you just can't throw them in the trash, as all the other ways mentioned help children grow up beautiful, healthy and prosper throughout their lives. The best known is to bury your navel in the foot of a beautiful rose bush to ensure that your rose bush grows beautiful, healthy and very happy.
Conclusion
Caring for your baby's belly button is a simple but delicate process. The ideal is to keep the region clean and dry, avoiding the occurrence of diseases and allergies. Additionally, seek out a healthcare professional to assess any changes or infections occurring in the region.
So it's important to remember that each baby is unique and that these are just general guidelines. Always consult your baby's pediatrician for specific advice, especially if you have questions or concerns.
