The umbilical wound is one of the most vulnerable places in newborns. Some parents are even afraid to touch her. However, it is necessary to process the navel of newborns, because without this procedure an infection can penetrate into the baby’s body.
Why and how the umbilical wound is formed
Before you solve the issue of processing, you need to understand how the wound is formed and what is the importance of its proper processing.
Before the birth of the child, the umbilical cord links the mother through which large blood vessels pass. When a child is born, the umbilical cord is removed: it is tied up in the area of the umbilical ring, clipping is done 2-3 cm higher, making sure to fix the area with a clip. Due to this, there remains a small part of the umbilical cord, which after a few days should dry out and disappear.
In this case, the so-called umbilical wound is formed, which may bleed or ooze for a period.
Until the navel is completely healed, it is necessary to regularly treat it - if you forget about it, there is a high risk of infection entering the body.
At the same time, doctors do not always wait until the umbilical cord remains will disappear by themselves: there is a method for prompt removal of the stump.
The operation is carried out approximately on the second day after the birth of the baby with the use of surgical scissors.
How to handle the navel with the umbilical cord - highlights
The first procedures for the care of a newborn are usually performed by a nurse in the hospital - she will also show the young mother what to do and how.
For example, some women, after listening to the advice, try to tear off or unscrew the resulting stump - it is strictly prohibited to do this.
According to doctors, the drying of the umbilical cord should take place naturally.
However, in some babies this process is stretched even for a week, which may be the first sign of the presence of an intrauterine infection - in this case, the child must be provided with additional care and observation. Until then, the mother will have to constantly handle the navel.
In fact, everything is simple: lubricate the umbilical ring and the rest of the umbilical cord with suitable antiseptic agents (hydrogen peroxide is best used). And in order to facilitate the event, you need to gently raise the clamp and move it to the side.
Processing technique without clothespins
After the umbilical cord residue has disappeared, the most crucial moment comes for the mother: the umbilical wound needs to be helped to heal, since during this period the risk of inflammation or ingress of bacteria in the body is greatly increased. The processing technique consists of the following steps:
- It is necessary to disinfect the wound using peroxide, and it is most convenient to use a pipette, dripping on the wound. The fluid will foam until the wound is fully tightened.
- After a few seconds, the crusts that form on the umbilical ring, begin to soak and will be easily separated from the skin. They need to be removed with cotton swabs. The main thing to remember is that in no case should you remove the dried crusts with force, as this can lead to the appearance of blood.
- Then gently blot the wound with sterile wipes so that it becomes dry.
- Completion of treatment lubrication of the umbilical ring Chlorophyllipt. Try to push the edges and process inside the navel.
Previously, many pediatricians advised to use brilliant green for this, but today, firstly, the ineffectiveness of this remedy has been proven, and secondly, it paints the skin - if there is inflammation, redness, you simply will not notice. And the solution of chlorophyllipt is colorless, copes with many bacteria, helps to reduce inflammation. It can also be replaced with a calendula alcohol solution.
Proper hygiene with umbilical wound
While the wound does not heal, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene, but this does not mean that the child needs to create 100% sterile conditions. For example, some mothers for the period refuse to swim or close the area with a sterile dressing - this should not be done.
Remember that the navel should always be open - so it will dry out faster. But if the skin always has a bandage, especially if it is soaked with liquid emitted from the wound, then the risk of a large number of bacteria will increase. Especially the wrong thing - the refusal to swim. This procedure is needed to maintain the clear skin of the baby, and to cleanse the umbilical wound.
In the morning it is necessary to carry out a complete treatment according to the previously described scheme, in the evening after bathing it is enough to lubricate the area with an antiseptic. If the wound is a little bloodied, they are processed three times a day. But more private events can cause a burn on the skin.
Also follow the following guidelines until the baby's navels have healed:
- Wash and disinfect hands thoroughly.
- 2-3 times a day, change the undershirts and sliders.
- Iron children clothes.
Also pay attention to the location of the diaper - remember, it should not touch the navel. Best at this time, get a special model with a small neckline in front.
Why is blood and wet
The navel is far from having all infants — if it continues to get wet even after two days, this can be caused by:
- Mechanical injuries, for example, when changing a diaper - when a dried crust on the skin is touched. Such a wound is not dangerous, several drops of blood can stand out from it, after which it becomes covered with skin again.
- If the umbilical cord was too thick - in this case, the area of the wound is larger, and hence the healing will be longer.
- Wrong processing. Be sure to follow the above recommendations.
- Reduced immunity. This often happens in weak or premature babies.
If you notice a drop of blood, do not panic right away - you first need to just drop a few drops of peroxide on the wound, but rather apply a cotton wool soaked in the medium for two minutes. After this, wipe off the blood droplets and treat the place again with Chlorophyllipt.
If the wound does not heal, it becomes wet, it is necessary to consult a doctor, additional factors such as can be alerted:
- the appearance of swelling and redness in the navel;
- putrid odor;
- increased body temperature:
- the appearance of pus.
Fungus navel in newborns
The navel fungus is an overgrowth and inflammation of granulation tissue at the "bottom" of the navel. Outwardly, it looks like a fungus - a cap on a small leg. This formation appears both immediately after the removal of the umbilical cord, and 2 weeks after healing, since the inflammatory process in all children goes differently.
Granuloma, or fungus, does not belong to infectious diseases and can appear even because of an overactive umbilical ring or improper treatment of the wound. When such a "fungus" appears, it is necessary to consult with a specialist, because if untreated, fungus can lead to serious complications.
Diagnosis is carried out by testing, smear from the navel and examining the newborn. After this treatment is prescribed. If the parents managed to notice the granuloma in time, then the problem is most often solved by non-surgical means: cauterization of the umbilical wound with a special agent, peroxide treatment or the use of antibiotics and ointments.
The treatment regimen in each case will be individual, depending on the child’s condition, the degree of fungus growth, and the characteristics of the organism.
