Hi all! One thing has always surprised me. When you are preparing for childbirth, you read as much material as possible, communicate with those who have gone through it. But when you find yourself alone with a toddler, you get lost. You forget everything completely. Sound familiar?
And one of the challenges that parents face at first is caring for the umbilical cord. The biggest question is how to treat a newborn's belly button after it falls off. Let's try to figure this out today.
Treatment of the umbilical wound
What is an umbilical wound and what recommendations for treating the navel after bathing will doctors, including the famous Dr. Komarovsky, give us?
An umbilical wound is a consequence of the removal of the umbilical cord. After the doctor cuts the umbilical cord, a compressive clamp, the so-called “clothespin,” is applied to its short remainder. When the umbilical cord completely dries, it will fall off and in its place there will be an umbilical wound, which also requires additional attention and care.
In the maternity hospital processes the umbilical cord , at the same time teaching the mother to do it correctly. By the time you are discharged, you will most likely know everything about this, but let’s still listen to what recommendations doctors give us for treating the umbilical wound after bathing a newborn
How can you bathe a child if the belly button does not fall off?
In this article we will talk about how you can bathe a child, if the navel has not fallen off, at home. When a newborn is born, the umbilical cord is tied and, using today's current technology, a special plastic clip or clothespin is applied.
In a medical facility, doctors monitor the wound and treat it properly. But on approximately the third day, the mother and baby are discharged and have to continue care on their own. By this time, the clip should not fall off yet. It can hang from several days to three weeks, so the answer to the question of whether it is possible to wet a newborn’s navel when bathing can be answered unequivocally - yes.
Many young mothers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to bathe if the navel has not fallen off (fell off) and how to do it technically, do you need to follow certain rules, are there instructions? Yes, bathing a newborn, if the navel has not fallen off, requires a certain amount of care and caution. Follow the instructions below, and this process will be safe and even useful, because water heals.
To wash your newborn you will need the following items:
- Children's bath. According to pediatricians, a special bath is much safer for the health of a newborn. It is much less likely to get infected. But do not forget that the bath needs to be cleaned before and after use.
- Water thermometer. Check the water temperature, it should be around 37 degrees Celsius.
- Bath bed - will allow your baby to lie in the bath more comfortably and not slide down.
- Ladle. Using this item, you will gently wash the water off your baby. Shower use is not recommended.
- Detergents.
- Towel.
- Cotton pads, sterile wipes.
Modern doctors do not recommend adding potassium permanganate and other agents to water.
Rules
Bathing a newborn with an umbilical clothespin (at the navel) instructions:
- You can wash your baby immediately after the maternity hospital, do not pay attention to the clamp and do not worry about it. It will fall away when the time comes.
- Fill the bathtub with water at the proper temperature (check with a thermometer).
- Place your baby in there. Do this carefully, without sudden movements, so as not to scare the child. You can wrap it in a diaper before diving.
- Monitor the back of the baby's head. If you are not using a recliner, the back of your head should always rest on your wrist.
- Carefully lather your baby, start from the neck, gradually move to the legs. Washing your hair happens last.
- Rinse off the soap or shampoo thoroughly, then rinse the baby with clean water at the same temperature; some doctors recommend turning the rinse water one degree Celsius cooler.
- After washing, wrap your baby in a towel. No need to rub him, wait until his body is completely dry.
- After washing, when the baby is dry, you can treat the navel with special preparations; you will read more about this in other articles on our site.
Now you know whether it is possible to bathe a child with an umbilical clothespin and how to do it.
Is it possible to carry out water procedures if the clothespin has fallen off?
Another popular question is: “The belly button has fallen off, is it possible to bathe the child?” Yes you can, follow all the rules described above and calmly wash your baby. But be careful, if you find signs of inflammation, such as redness or swelling, then do not carry out any procedures until the baby has been examined by a doctor.
If you have doubts about the condition of your child’s navel, then ask the doctor: “the navel has fallen off, is it possible to bathe the baby, how can you determine that he is healthy?” And after a specialist examines your child, you can swim with peace of mind.
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Is it possible to wet a newborn's navel when bathing?
Some parents believe that by covering their newborn's navel with a bandage during bathing, they will protect him from infection. Still, this is a mistake. Boiling water and adding a weak solution of potassium permanganate to the water will help you avoid infection .
Dr. Komarovsky generally advises limiting yourself to wiping the baby, so as not to wet the umbilical wound and not slow down the drying process.
The widespread practice, on the contrary, is that they prefer to treat the wound after bathing, since during bathing the crusts get wet and come off well, and potassium permanganate disinfects and dries the wound.
What to do if a newborn’s belly button bleeds after bathing
If after bathing the umbilical wound bleeds a little , it’s not scary. Treat it as stated above, taking all precautions while bathing, and in due time the wound will heal. If bleeding continues for more than three weeks, you should consult a doctor: the baby may have a weak immune system or poor blood clotting.
Bath day for a baby: the first bath of a newborn at home
The young couple received a new status - they are now parents! If it’s your first child, there’s especially a lot of anxiety. New moms and dads know little about caring for a baby. But every day hitherto unfamiliar responsibilities become more and more natural. And remembering the first bath of a newborn at home, experienced parents smile at their own fears and awkwardness.
When to start?
After the maternity hospital, I immediately want to make the baby a clean house - wash it and change it into cute things. If you want, do it. The first bath of a newborn is allowed the next day after the vaccination given in the maternity hospital. Moreover, now there are no clear requirements - to boil water or not. If you are sure that the water in the tap is clean, you can do without boiling.
On what day can you bathe a newborn if the birth was complicated or the baby was registered? – only a specialist doctor can answer this question. It is better for parents not to take risks by making such decisions on their own.
What to cook?
What items need to be prepared to make bathing a baby convenient for parents?
- bath (anatomical, with a stand for the child, round, inflatable);
- alcohol thermometer;
- strong solution of potassium permanganate (prepare in advance);
- a nice ladle (rinse with clean water at the end of bathing);
- terry towel (natural with a hood);
- clean clothes and diaper;
- care products (liquid baby soap; oil, cream or powder; baby comb; scissors with rounded ends; cotton swabs for babies).
How to organize a swim?
Buying a baby bath is not a matter of principle. It is more convenient to bathe a baby for the first time, especially for one parent, in a small bathtub. But an adult bath gives the child the opportunity to work properly! Where else can a baby swing his arms and legs so freely and cheerfully, splashing everything around?
If you choose a children's bathtub, then install it so that you can walk around it - your back will thank you. Keep in mind that when the baby gets playful, he will pour a whole sea of water - before bathing the baby, remove the carpets, or immediately go to the kitchen. Instead of a stand, a kitchen table is suitable - the less you bend over, the less you get tired.
Bathroom temperature
The water temperature for bathing a newborn is 36° – 37°C. The color of the water is light pink. To prevent undissolved lumps of potassium permanganate from burning the baby’s skin, you prepared the solution ahead of time. It can be stored as long as you like and will always be at hand.
By the way, the temperature of the water for bathing a baby can gradually decrease - this is a gradual hardening that began from the first days. To do this, the temperature is lowered by 1°C every three days to the permissible limit (each baby has its own).
Evening or morning: when to bathe your baby?
How to bathe a baby correctly: in the morning or in the evening? You yourself choose a convenient time for swimming. However, an evening bath has important benefits:
- it is more logical to wash the baby before going to bed at night;
- dad is already at home and can take part in the fun ceremony;
- You will accustom your child to the ritual of bedtime, this will help you later move the baby into your bed;
- household chores are over and the whole family can enjoy communicating with each other.
When should you bathe a newborn for the first time if he is dirty? It is not at all necessary to wash your baby every time you change the diaper. In order to perform a small toilet, place the child on your entire arm, belly down, like this: face on your elbow, butt on your palm, press the little one sideways to you, slightly leaning his back towards you, and bring his butt under the tap (the water is already turned on and temperature is set). Wash for your health! Never place your child on your arm with his back down - children can instantly twist and fall to the floor.
When to bathe a newborn: before or after meals? It’s better before meals, but it’s also possible after - it all depends on the baby’s reaction. Please note that you can only bathe an hour after eating. This is explained by the fact that all children like to be active and playful in the bathroom, which can cause severe regurgitation. It’s better if a clean, tired and cheerful baby sits comfortably next to his mother, has dinner and falls asleep nicely.
How to bathe so that your toddler loves the bath
How to bathe a baby so that he likes it? The water should be warm. Mom and Dad are calm. In any case, someone should help mommy. It's not so easy - the first bath of a newborn baby! For a positive first experience, you can wrap your baby in a diaper. This will make him feel more comfortable and calm. But you don't have to do this. The air in the bathroom is 22-24°C, the door is open so that the baby does not go straight from the steam room into a cool room.
How to bathe a newborn for the first time so as not to let him get into the water? Learn to hold your baby correctly: the back of the baby’s head in your palm, with your little finger in the neck area. With your other hand, support the baby under the butt until you get used to holding it with one hand.
Whatever happens, don’t leave your baby alone in the bathroom! This is the main rule of safety when swimming. The baby may choke, hit himself, roll over (after all, you don’t know when your child will do this for the first time!), fall out, open a tap with boiling water, or get scared. There is not a single reason that would justify the risk of an accident with your beloved baby.
Navel: how and when to wash the baby
When to start bathing a newborn if the navel has not healed? Taking into account the fact that water also heals – right after the maternity hospital. Boil the water in advance so that it has time to cool. There is already a solution of potassium permanganate.
Once a day, after a bath, rinse the festering wound with 3% hydrogen peroxide and wipe with a cotton swab moistened with the same peroxide. After this, cauterize the navel (only the wound!) with a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate (it is convenient to use a stick for the ears), a solution of brilliant green 1% or alcohol. Some pediatricians recommend brewing oak bark.
Is it possible to bathe a newborn if the belly button has not fallen off? – without a doubt it is possible. The remnants of the umbilical cord last up to 5-14 days. The wound will heal for another 10-14 days.
There are several unpleasant complications that appear against the background of infection of the umbilical wound (gangrene of the umbilical remnant, fungus, weeping navel, omphalitis). Like any problem related to a baby, a non-healing navel requires examination by a pediatrician.
By the way, not so long ago diapers with a cutout for the navel appeared - especially for newborn babies. If the umbilical cord does not fall off, it’s worth a try.
There is water in my ear, what should I do?
How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time without a cap, since most grandmothers insist on a cap? Even if water gets into the ear, it's not a problem. On the contrary, moisturizing the ears and nose is useful for cleansing the dust that has accumulated during the day. Use a cotton swab to wet the ear at the entrance - this is enough to maintain hygiene.
A baby's first bath is great and fun. Don’t be alarmed if your baby takes a sip of water or spits in his face—children learn to be afraid from their parents. Better invite a relative with a video camera or photo camera - and your family archive will be replenished with funny footage.
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Treating the navel and bathing a newborn with a clothespin
Occasionally, a baby is discharged from the maternity hospital with a “clothespin” on his tummy. This is due to the fact that the drying process of the umbilical cord varies from person to person and can take 4-10 days. Don’t let this bother you; in due time, the clamp will fall off in the area with the dried umbilical cord stump. Do not attempt surgical removal yourself, as this may result in serious infection.
When does this happen?
Immediately after the baby is born, the umbilical cord needs to be cut. To do this, a clamp is applied to it, and then a part is cut off.
Now the blood does not circulate through the vessels of the “cord”, and the baby begins to feed on his own, inhale air, and relieve his natural needs.
There are two main ways to cut a newborn's umbilical cord. One of them is used in various maternity hospitals.
- When using the first, a clamp is attached to the “cord”, but a bandage is not applied after cutting. While the mother and child are in the hospital, the baby's wound is treated with potassium permanganate (manganese) and hydrogen peroxide once a day for several days. With this approach, the remaining part of the cord-like formation dries out and then falls off within 4-5 days. A wound remains on the navel, so it requires special care, which lasts until this part of the body heals.
- According to the second method, the umbilical cord is removed on the 2nd day after the baby is born. A bandage is applied to the remaining wound to apply pressure. After several hours it is slightly weakened. After a day, the bandage is removed.
In this case, treatment with potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide is also necessary. Then a crust appears in the navel area, falling off after about a week. After being discharged from the maternity hospital, the mother must continue to care for the wound on her own.
For this you will need:
- Zelenka;
- Pipette;
- Hydrogen peroxide;
- Manganese;
- Tampons, cotton swabs.
When the baby turns 1 month old, no trace should remain.
Is it possible to bathe when the clothespin has fallen off?
It’s scary with the clamp, but even worse without it. There's a wound there! Moreover, in the first days a small amount of liquid is formed from it - ichor. My dears, of course, first of all follow the doctor’s recommendations. If there are no other instructions, then you can bathe. And if the wound does not heal for more than 3 weeks, blood oozes, there is a bad smell, do not take risks.
So, I hope your little one is doing well. Well, then follow the rules when swimming. The wound hasn't healed yet!
- Bathing only in a baby bath, which is not intended for anything else! The first point is not subject to discussion at all. This is a general rule for everyone.
- Before the navel tightens, bathe in warm boiled water.
- Use potassium permanganate when bathing. But only this way: first dissolve a couple of granules in a jar, separately and completely. Then add it to the bath from there. In general, the concentration should be minimal. And also, remember that potassium permanganate is extremely drying to the skin. Don't get carried away.
I can say for myself that I used it once a week. I added the well-strained broth directly to the water. Herbs are also dried, so they are good in moderation. Like everything else))
So, I told the main points. But there is an interesting question that we have not figured out. The umbilical cord fell off. What to do with it?
When and how does the belly button fall off?
An amazing thing is the navel. Seems completely useless in life. And what miracles it works during pregnancy! More precisely, the umbilical cord. After all, this is the path through which nutrients reach the baby! But after childbirth, this method of nutrition becomes unnecessary.
The baby's first cry helps open the lungs. Consequently, the newborn receives oxygen independently. And food will now drip through your mouth. But the umbilical cord is not cut immediately. As a rule, about 2 centimeters remain, which are pinched with a clothespin. And after 3 - 10 days (and sometimes more) this residue disappears.
How does this happen? The clothespin pinches the blood supply to the umbilical cord. This tail begins to dry out and turn into a mummified piece. Of course, such an education should fall off. And at the site of the tear, a wound forms - the main cause for concern for young mothers. And what to do next?
What to do after the navel falls off and how to treat it?
After falling off, a small wound remains. I'm not scaring you, dear readers, but any wound is a great way to get an infection. Therefore, we need only one thing: speedy healing. And this happens by about a month of the baby’s life. Until this long-awaited moment, you need to protect the baby. How? Proper processing.
Prepare the following things:
- Peroxide 3%.
- Zelonka, potassium permanganate, chlorophyllipt or other antiseptics. Just use any one at a time. Do not stir.
- Bandage, cotton pads.
- Cotton buds.
So, first wash your hands well. Then drip hydrogen peroxide into the wound. Wait until it hisses. Now remove the crusts that have become soaked with a cotton swab. You can smear it with green paint.
Yes, when healing begins, the crust on the navel will form even larger than before. What to do with it? There is no need to forcibly tear it off. It should come off easily. The only way you can help is to create conditions for her to leave. But this should be done when the crust is completely dry.
Swimming and peroxide will help here. After water procedures, the crusts soften. It is possible to pass without peroxide. If this does not happen, drop a little, wait and try to remove it. Does it come off easily? Clean it up. If not, you need to wait a day or two.
Well, since I briefly touched on the bathing procedure, I’ll dispel some myths here.
