4 Important ways to care for the baby's umbilical cord after childbirth

After the baby is born, there are things the nurse will do. Namely, cutting the umbilical cord. However, there will be remaining parts that are still attached and need to be properly cared for by parents. This is done so that infection does not occur. Here's how to care for or care for the baby's umbilical cord so that it dries quickly.

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What are the benefits of a baby's umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord or umbilical cord with a length of approximately 50 cm that connects the baby and the mother protrudes from the hole in the baby's stomach to the placenta in the uterus.

Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, this umbilical cord is very important for the survival of the baby in the womb because it carries nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the bloodstream.

Therefore, it can be said that the umbilical cord plays an important role in the growth and development of the baby in the womb.

If there is a problem with the umbilical cord, of course the supply of nutrients and oxygen will be disrupted.

Apart from carrying nutrients and oxygen, the umbilical cord is also a way for the mother to give antibodies to the baby towards the end of pregnancy.

These antibodies can provide the baby with immunity to protect him from infection for about the first 3 months of life.

What happens to the umbilical cord after the baby is born?

After birth, the umbilical cord is no longer needed. Therefore, it will be clamped and then cut with the tools provided.

Later, the blood vessels in the umbilical cord close by themselves. This aims to prevent blood loss.

Meanwhile, the umbilical veins that supply blood to the placenta close after blood flow to the baby in the first few minutes of life.

Therefore, delaying cutting of the umbilical cord after birth for a few minutes can be of benefit to the baby.

The baby's umbilical or umbilical cord will be cut, but not completely discharged, leaving 2-3 cm in the belly. This residue will form the baby's navel.

When the umbilical cord is cut, the baby does not feel pain because there are no nerves in it.

How is the umbilical cord care after the baby is born?

In developing babies, after the umbilical cord falls off, it takes about 7-10 days to heal completely.

Between 5-15 days after the baby is born, the cord will dry out, turn black, and then fall off on its own.

Before your baby's navel is completely healed, it is important that you always maintain cleanliness and keep the area dry.

Not only does it take care of the body skin, but the baby's umbilical cord area must also be cared for properly.

Please note that this is done to prevent infection.

Therefore, you need to know how to care for the umbilical cord so that it dries quickly because it is one of the care for newborns.

Quoted from the American Pregnancy Association, here are some baby umbilical cord care that parents can do, such as:

1. Keep the remaining umbilical cord clean

The first treatment that can be done for a baby's umbilical cord is to keep it clean. Clean the remaining umbilical cord and surrounding skin at least once a day.

You can clean it slowly by using a cotton ball that has been previously dipped in warm water and mild soap.

Remove any dirt on the umbilical cord. Don't forget to rinse it and keep it dry. Clean every day until the rest of the umbilical cord is completely healed.

Do not clean it with alcohol as this can irritate the baby's skin and may delay healing of the remaining umbilical cord.

2. Keep the rest of the umbilical cord dry

Make sure the rest of your baby's cord is exposed to air as often as possible as a treatment.

This allows the base of the area to remain dry, thereby encouraging the release of the remaining umbilical cord.

If the baby is already using a diaper, try not to cover the rest of the umbilical cord, thus allowing the area to remain dry and also to prevent irritation.

3. Wash the baby with a wipe

Another umbilical cord care that you can do is simply to wipe the baby's body during bath time.

It is best not to bathe your baby in the tub until the umbilical cord has completely fallen off.

Wipe your little one with a wet towel and wipe all parts of his body. This is the right way to care for the baby's umbilical cord.

After that, immediately dry it with a towel so that it dries faster. Be careful when rubbing the towel over the baby's body as this can cause irritation.

4. Be careful when wearing clothes

Not only when wiping your baby, you also need to be careful when dressing your little one.

As a newborn umbilical cord care, choose clothes that are loose and do not press on the stomach.

This method is also done so that more air circulation and reduce friction.

5. Do not pull out the remaining umbilical cord

You may think that pulling on the rest of the cord will make it easier and help it to come off.

However, you should not pull out the remaining umbilical cord even though it is dry.

Allowing the remaining umbilical cord to come off by itself is one treatment you can do.

This is done to avoid unwanted bleeding.

What are the signs of infection in the remaining umbilical cord?

If during your baby's umbilical cord care you notice an infection or anything unusual, you should immediately take it to the doctor.

Here are some of the characteristics or signs of umbilical cord infection, namely:

• Your baby will cry when you touch the umbilical cord or the skin around it.
• The skin around the base of the umbilical cord is reddish or swollen.
• White or yellowish pus.
• The remainder of the umbilical cord is bleeding constantly.
• There is dirt that smells bad.

Is there a medicine for the baby's navel that is not dry yet?

Until now, the only treatment or way to care for the baby's umbilical cord was to keep it dry.

There is no special medicine that can be given to babies so that the umbilical cord is dry and eventually loose.

However, it is different when there is infection of the umbilical cord or omphalitis.

If the baby has omphalitis, he will be hospitalized for several days. Not only that, he will also be given antibiotics through intravenous (IV) to fight bacterial infections.

It should also be noted if an infection in the umbilical cord can be life-threatening to your little one. Therefore, you must periodically consult a doctor so that it is quickly treated.