A deep navel in a newborn does not heal for a long time. Important recommendations: how to treat a newborn's navel

As a rule, a child’s navel heals completely by a month. Before this, it is advisable to treat it with drying agents: hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green. But what to do if time passes and the umbilical wound does not seem to heal? What to do if a newborn’s navel gets wet?

Of course, you should immediately talk to your doctor about this topic. He will most correctly assess the baby’s condition and give useful recommendations. However, parents themselves must act and not sit idly by. But first you need to determine the causes of a weeping navel.

Why does my belly button get wet?

First of all, it’s worth saying that during the healing process, the baby’s belly button should get a little wet. Also, yellow crusts are likely to form around it, which must be removed to avoid infection.

Often the navel does not heal for a long time due to the baby’s weak immunity. If he is unable to cope with microbes entering from the outside, the umbilical wound may fester, bleed and its healing will be delayed. Moreover, sometimes a weeping navel indicates the development of serious diseases in the baby, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

But don’t panic ahead of time: discharge of ichor from the navel is normal (the first 2-3 weeks). But if pus is released (and the umbilical wound smells bad), you should immediately consult a doctor.

Conclusion

There are two reasons for a newborn’s weeping navel:

• improper care;
• entry of microbes into the wound.

In fact, one thing follows from the other, so the most important thing that parents should do is to provide complete and competent care for the umbilical wound.

Proper belly button care

Usually, every young mother is instructed on the correct treatment of the umbilical wound upon discharge from the hospital. But it also happens that the pediatrician simply does not have time to give a lecture to everyone, which is why problems arise.

First of all, understand a simple rule: the belly button should be treated twice a day until it is completely healed. But do not get into the umbilical wound with dirty fingers, cotton swabs or other foreign objects. This way you risk getting an infection.

To treat a newborn's navel you will need:

• cotton wool;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• brilliant green;
• pipette.

1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap (you can use laundry soap).
2. Examine the navel for pus. Smell the wound - there should be no smell.
3. Place a little hydrogen peroxide on the wound - do not fill the entire hole with it.
4. Wait a little - the peroxide should dry (you can carefully remove it with cotton wool or a cotton pad).
5. Take a little greenery with a pipette and drop it on the wound.

That's all. Processing is complete. Wait until the green stuff dries and dress the baby. Remember that the diaper should not cover the navel. Also, while the umbilical wound is healing, it is better to abandon the panties, replacing them with a slip.

Is it possible to bathe a newborn with a “wet navel”?

You can bathe your baby before the navel heals. You can also bathe your baby with a “wet navel,” but this must be done very carefully. For bathing, purchase a special baby bath and fill it with warm boiled water.

Do not add foam or bathing gel to the water. Also avoid herbs. The only thing that can be added to the water is potassium permanganate. Dilute 5 grams in 100 ml of water and pour into the bath. Make sure all the crystals dissolve.

But keep in mind that potassium permanganate dries out the skin, so such bathing is often not recommended, even if a newborn’s navel gets wet.

How can you treat a weeping navel?

• Zelenka – it has already been mentioned above. Zelenka is a universal remedy for lubricating children's sores. It dries, disinfects and prevents germs from multiplying in the wound. If a newborn's navel gets wet, then this is the first remedy.
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%)– this remedy can be taken as a preventive measure for a “wet navel”, and if the navel begins to get wet and bleed. The main thing is not to use it too often, as this can lead to even more wetting of the wound.
• Potassium permanganate - it can replace brilliant green, or you can add the solution to the bathtub.
• Chlorophyllipt - a disinfecting alcohol solution of chlorophyllipt will help the wound dry out and heal faster.
• Furacilin is an analogue of chlorophyllipt.
• Alcohol solution of propolis.
• Streptocide.
• Curiosin.

1. Do not press on the navel.
2. Do not pick at the wound with cotton swabs or fingers.
3. Do not try to remove all the crusts at once.
4. Do not squeeze out the pus.
5. Do not cover the wound with a band-aid.
6. Leave your baby naked often so that the belly button can breathe. The wound will heal faster in the air.
7. There is no need to delay treatment for a weeping navel.
8. Always wash your hands before handling your child.
9. To care for your baby, use only sterile materials: bandages, napkins, cotton wool.
10. Wash items that come into contact with the umbilical wound (blouses, bodysuits, slips) in a hypoallergenic detergent and iron them with a hot iron on both sides.
11. Never wear the same thing two days in a row to a child whose navel gets wet.
12. If treatment for a weeping navel in a newborn does not help - the wound is inflamed and smells bad - consult a doctor immediately.

Conclusion

Newborns are very fragile and sensitive creatures. They have just come into this world, and their entire body, from the skin to the internal organs, is just learning to exist outside the mother’s womb. This is why newborn babies very often experience quite unpleasant, and often dangerous, problems, such as a weeping navel.

If you notice such a problem in your newborn baby, do not panic ahead of time. But you also can’t let everything take its course. Pay due attention to hygiene and belly button care, wash your hands before contacting your baby and, of course, consult your doctor. If you notice and recognize the problem in time, serious consequences can be easily avoided.

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova

Reading time: 8 minutes

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Article last updated: 04/18/2019

The umbilical cord is an essential intrauterine connection between mother and fetus. All substances required for the growth and development of the child are supplied through it. Immediately after birth, the newborn's body should begin to function independently, so there is no longer a need for an umbilical cord. It is clamped with clamps in two places and cut off at a distance of 2 cm from the baby’s abdomen. The remainder is pinched with a paper clip or tied with silk thread. It is rare that the umbilical cord falls off while still in the maternity hospital; most often newborns are sent to discharge with a paper clip.

Of course, young parents have a lot of questions about the navel. How to care for the wound, when it takes on a “normal” appearance, is it possible to bathe the baby, etc.

Falling off of the remaining umbilical cord

First you need to find out when a newborn’s belly button falls off. Of course, everything is individual - for some on the second day, for others on the fifth. The maximum period for the formation of the navel and the falling off of the remainder is 10 days.

If on the tenth day the remnant of the umbilical cord is still in place, or you suspect some kind of pathological process, then you should immediately consult a pediatrician.

Sometimes this happens while changing a diaper or changing the baby's clothes. There is no need to panic - this is a normal situation. At the site of the former umbilical cord, a small but rather deep wound remains, which needs to be properly treated. To do this, you will need a clean pipette, hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green solution and dry, clean wipes.

First of all, you need to wash your hands well with soap. You can even treat it with some alcohol solution. Everything needs to be done calmly and without sudden movements. The baby needs to be calmed down and placed on his back. If blood oozes from the wound, then you need to press a sterile napkin onto it for a few minutes. When the bleeding stops, use a pipette to drop 3–4 drops of peroxide into the navel. Wait a while until it stops hissing and foaming (this is a normal reaction). Then you need to carefully blot the remaining solution with a napkin, and apply the brilliant green solution to the entire cavity of the wound.

If the remainder of the umbilical cord has not fallen off completely, then under no circumstances should it be removed forcibly. It is treated in the same way as a regular umbilical wound.

Caring for the umbilical wound

You need to try to keep your navel open as much as possible. For this purpose, you can tuck the edge of the diaper or use panties with a special hole. The healing navel should not be injured under any circumstances. Clothing that comes into contact with this area should be well ironed and free of seams.

You cannot tear off the scabs, pick at the navel, put any bandage on this area or cover it with an adhesive plaster. At best, this will cause a long-term non-healing wound, at worst it will lead to complications.

When the remainder of the umbilical cord is still in place, the child should not be bathed to avoid infection. But as soon as the umbilical cord falls off, water procedures can be carried out. The water should be boiled and warm. You should try to avoid direct contact of the umbilical wound with water. It is better to then treat this area separately with a clean, damp sponge.

Each time you finish bathing, you need to re-treat your navel. This should be done as many times a day as water gets on the wound. Just like the very first time, after the umbilical cord falls off, 3% hydrogen peroxide is first instilled, then brilliant green is applied.

All clothing, things and hands touching the umbilical wound should always be clean.

Navel healing process

How can you tell if your belly button has healed or not? First of all, you need to inspect the area of ​​interest. The skin around the umbilical opening should not differ either in temperature or in appearance from the surrounding tissue. Nothing should come out of the wound. Touching the navel does not cause fussing or crying in a newborn. On the Internet you can find many photos of what a normally healed navel should look like. So parents have something to compare with.

However, there are situations when the process is delayed or even complicated. The main reasons why this trouble happens can be:

1. very thick umbilical cord;
2. long umbilical remnant;
3. improper care;
4. prematurity.

When to sound the alarm

If the newborn does not stop bleeding when the umbilical cord falls off. This is a fairly rare situation, since the umbilical vein is no longer functioning. But there are pathological conditions in which slight bleeding may occur. The first thing to do in this case is to press a sterile napkin to the navel and hold it until the doctor arrives.

The return of a young mother and baby from the maternity hospital is a responsible and very important period. After all, now all responsibility for the growth, development and health of a little person rests entirely with his mother and all relatives. Very often, one of the most confusing aspects is belly button care. The need for this can even cause panic among inexperienced parents. However, in reality there is nothing complicated about it. After all, you can master the basics of this matter under the guidance of a visiting pediatrician.

Even in the maternity hospital, mothers ask the doctor how long it takes for a newborn’s belly button to heal. The answer to the question, how long does it take to heal? umbilical wound , rather, individual. In most cases, this occurs in the third week of a child's life. But sometimes this process can take a little longer. Therefore, parents should clearly know how to understand that the navel has healed.

What you need to know about the navel

In the womb, the baby receives the nutrients it needs, as well as oxygen, through the umbilical cord. In addition, products come out through it. When a baby is born, this connection between his and his mother’s body is cut. The remainder of the umbilical cord is placed Rogovin bracket .

However, even if the navel is not bandaged after birth, bleeding will not occur. The umbilical ring contains two arteries and a vein. After cutting, the arteries gape due to the denser structure of the wall, and the vein collapses. However, this does not mean that bacteria cannot enter the resulting wound. To prevent this, in the maternity hospital the umbilical remnant is bandaged and carefully processed.

And when the remainder of the umbilical cord falls off, which happens after about 4-5 days, you need to continue to carefully treat the wound. There is no need to panic about the fact that “the remainder has fallen off, what should I do?”, because if handled correctly, everything will be fine.

If the belly button does not fall off, you need to wait a few more days. Sometimes this does not happen in the maternity hospital, and this means that it will disappear in 7-10 days at home. After the navel falls off, you need to treat the umbilical wound very carefully, doing this in three stages.

Initially, using a sterile cotton swab, you need to treat the wound from all sides. It is best to take hydrogen peroxide at 3% concentration.

To prevent infection, it is necessary to lubricate the wound alcohol 96% . The remaining stump needs to be dried and carefully lubricated. potassium permanganate 5% .

If the belly button has not fallen off, is it possible to bathe the baby?

After the umbilical cord has fallen off, the mother can safely bathe the baby. It is better to bathe in boiled water. But until the cord falls off, the baby is not bathed - his body only needs to be gently wiped with a warm, damp sponge.

Treatment of a newborn's navel at home

With normal development of the baby, healing of the umbilical wound occurs in the 3rd week - during this period it epithelializes. The local nurse or pediatrician will explain to the woman how to treat the navel of a newborn until it heals. This procedure must be carried out as it happens in a maternity hospital. For a mother who needs to know exactly how to properly treat a newborn’s navel, it is important to note that this should be done every day after bathing. First, mom needs to wash her hands thoroughly with soap.

It is also important to know how to treat a newborn’s navel. Used for these purposes hydrogen peroxide , alcohol 96% , brilliant green solution 2% or for processing. And here is the solution potassium permanganate It is not recommended to use it for these purposes, since preparing a solution of the correct concentration of their powder is not easy, and, moreover, if the crystal accidentally ends up on the child’s skin, it can provoke burn .

Initially, you need to soften the crust with a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide. If the peroxide does not begin to foam, this means that the navel has healed.

During the healing process, crusts will gradually fall off and must be removed very carefully. Do not peel off the crusts using force.

When treating the navel, special attention should be paid to the base of the umbilical cord. It is wiped very thoroughly each time to remove all wet secretions. This is most conveniently done with a cotton swab. This can speed up the drying and healing process.

How many times per day?

This procedure should be carried out once a day.

If the navel is not healing well, regular “airing” will help speed up this process, for which you need to open the tummy more often. When using diapers, you need to bend the waistband down so that the wound remains open. There is no need to touch the wound unless necessary.

What to do if a newborn’s belly button bleeds?

Parents who don’t know what to do if blood appears on the umbilical wound, first need to figure out why the newborn’s belly button is bleeding.

Sometimes the reasons for this phenomenon are simple and understandable. The umbilical wound bleeds if it occurs traumatization when the child was swaddled, dried or bathed. You should put on the diaper very carefully until the wound is completely healed. Some mothers are too active in cleaning the wound from crusts, thereby causing injury.

The navel may bleed due to formation umbilical granuloma (fungus ). If the umbilical cord was thick, after cutting it, a wide umbilical ring remains, and it takes a long time to heal. As a result, granulation increases, and the navel resembles a mushroom in its shape. This formation is painful, and even when swaddling, catching it can cause pain. And even after minor injury, the umbilical wound in this case begins to bleed.

If blood appears from the umbilical wound, you should proceed as follows:

• If blood appears due to careless handling of the wound, you need to drop a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on the umbilical wound.
• There is no need to place the baby on his stomach.
• Air access to the navel should be ensured.
• During the period when the umbilical wound is bleeding, you cannot bathe the baby. You need to wait until the navel stops bleeding completely and a crust appears on it.

But it is best to consult a doctor and show him the baby, provided that blood is flowing from the wound.

It is especially important to immediately show the child to a pediatrician if his umbilical wound is not only bleeding, but also his general condition has worsened. In such a situation, it is better to urgently go to the hospital or call an ambulance.

If the navel of a newborn does not heal for a long time, you need to pay special attention to this. When the so-called weeping navel is noted, this indicates the first stage omphalitis – inflammatory process of the umbilical wound. During this period, the navel does not yet fester, but a light-colored serous discharge appears from the wound, and the skin around it turns a little red. However, the baby feels fine.

In such a situation, local treatment is practiced - you must first disinfect the navel with hydrogen peroxide, and then treat it with brilliant green. This procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a day.

In some cases, additional use is indicated ultraviolet irradiation . If a newborn's navel becomes wet, the use of ointments or powders containing. Treatment of a weeping navel in a newborn involves the use of ointments containing bacitracin And polymyxin .

Provided that the inflammation was not stopped in a timely manner, it may begin to appear from the wound. pus . In such a situation, the umbilical ring turns red and swelling appears. Gradually, the navel turns outward, the skin on it and nearby becomes hot and red. With omphalitis, the body temperature rises, the child is capricious, reluctant to take the breast, and becomes lethargic.

In this case, it is very important to consult a doctor immediately and ensure proper treatment. Otherwise, the pus will begin to spread into the subcutaneous tissue and spread to other organs, which can subsequently lead to the development sepsis .

Features of treatment

Such babies undergo treatment in inpatient neonatal pathology departments. They must be prescribed antibacterial treatment.

If the baby's temperature is very high and there are signs of severe intoxication , the baby may be given intravenous administration of the necessary medications.

Sometimes, after culture for sterility, the presence of staphylococcus in the umbilical wound. In this case, the treatment uses antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin .

It is necessary to treat the inflamed area antiseptics , doing this several times a day.

Provided that the body temperature has stabilized, you can carry out physical therapy , namely microwave.

conclusions

Thus, you need to be very careful with the wound until the navel heals.

Parents should not make extra efforts to speed up the healing process. Let everything happen by itself.

It is also important to remember that babies’ belly buttons are very different. In some children they are deep, in others they are protruding. You should not practice any actions to change the shape, as such actions can provoke irritation and inflammation.

In general, caring for an umbilical wound is not difficult, the main thing is to strictly follow all the recommendations and not rush things.

There are many legends and myths about this part of the human body. The navel occupies a special and honorable place in the East. Local residents are convinced that nervous tension and negative emotions are concentrated around him. Chinese medicine considers it an organ with a special purpose that connects a person with the cosmos. The Slavs are also sensitive to the navel. After all, according to Christian beliefs, the organ divides the body into “pure” parts, where the soul lives, and “impure” parts.

• unpleasant odor;
• temperature increase;

Fungus of the umbilicus in newborns

Another common navel disease in newborns is fungus. In this case, the appearance of granulation formations is observed, which protrude from the wound.

Navel of the earth - when the navel of a newborn heals

The disease requires medical intervention, but does not affect the general condition of the child.

Newborn's navel

• formation of an umbilical hernia;

Newborn's navel

There are many legends and myths about this part of the human body. The navel occupies a special and honorable place in the East. Local residents are convinced that nervous tension and negative emotions are concentrated around him. Chinese medicine considers it an organ with a special purpose that connects a person with the cosmos. The Slavs are also sensitive to the navel.

Physical development

After all, according to Christian beliefs, the organ divides the body into “pure” parts, where the soul lives, and “impure” parts.

Be that as it may, the navel is a special part of the body that reminds of the inextricable connection with the mother. The navel of a newborn is a deep wound that requires careful care.

How should a newborn's belly button heal?

Throughout the pregnancy, the baby received everything he needed through the umbilical cord for his growth and development. Immediately after birth, the umbilical cord is cut, from this moment a new mode of operation of the already formed organs and systems of the baby is launched.

Subsequently, a navel is formed at the site of attachment of the umbilical cord; as a rule, this process takes about a month:

• after childbirth, the remaining umbilical cord is tightly tied;
• on the 3-5th day of life it completely dries out and falls off;
• The navel of a newborn is considered healed after a month.

Today, experts have differing opinions on how to care for the navel during this period. Some recommend treating the wound with antiseptics: hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green. Others, on the contrary, believe that the navel will heal much faster without any treatment. In this case, it is important to ensure air circulation in this area, as well as to prevent rubbing or irritation of the umbilical wound.

The pediatrician should give more precise instructions on how to care for the navel, depending on individual characteristics, in particular, if the newborn’s navel gets wet (bleeds).

Why does a newborn's navel get wet?

Whether with or without a clothespin, a newborn's belly button may bleed slightly in the first few days after the umbilical cord falls off. This phenomenon should not cause much concern to parents. The appearance of blood in small quantities can be observed throughout the entire healing period. This is due to the close location of the vessels, and at the slightest damage during changing clothes or changing a diaper, they can bleed.

However, if the bleeding does not stop or appears too often, this is a reason to consult a doctor. You should also not ignore:

• redness and swelling in the umbilical area;
• the appearance of purulent and other uncharacteristic discharge of white, yellow or gray color;
• unpleasant odor;
• temperature increase;
• the appearance of a bulge near the navel.
• if the newborn's navel does not heal for too long.

As a rule, even one of the above symptoms indicates an infection of the wound. To treat omphalitis, as the inflammatory process in this area is called in medicine, it is necessary to treat the navel with special preparations. These include hydrogen peroxide, 70% alcohol solution, brilliant green solution, potassium permanganate solution.

In particularly advanced cases with purulent discharge, bandages with medications prescribed by a doctor are applied, and additional therapy is carried out. It is impossible to predict how long it will take for a newborn’s navel to heal under such circumstances.

Fungus of the umbilicus in newborns

Another common navel disease in newborns is fungus. In this case, the appearance of granulation formations is observed, which protrude from the wound. The disease requires medical intervention, but does not affect the general condition of the child.

Caring for the umbilical wound in the maternity hospital

How long it takes for a newborn’s navel to heal directly depends on the professionalism of the care provided immediately after the birth of the child. The umbilical cord is a bluish “rope”, 40-70 centimeters long, connecting the baby’s tummy and the placenta. Through it, during pregnancy, the child was fed and received all the substances necessary for growth and development.

Immediately after birth, the doctor clamps the umbilical cord with two clamps or staples and cuts between them. What remains is a tail (umbilical cord stump) 2-3 cm long, pinched with one clamp. The tail will fall off on its own within 2-3 days. In some maternity hospitals, they do not wait for the stump to dry out on its own, but on the 2nd day they cut it off and apply a special sterile bandage to the navel.

After the stump falls off, a thick crust will remain on the navel, which will remain in place for another 5-10 days. It is prohibited to pick it off with a fingernail or other mechanical means, or try to intentionally soak it with water or fill it with peroxide or other disinfectants without a good reason and the recommendations of a local pediatrician. The crust will fall off on its own on the 7th – 14th day of the child’s life. Unauthorized intervention in the process is fraught with inflammation, bleeding and immediate hospitalization.

Pediatricians do not recommend fully bathing a child in a bath until the crust from the navel has completely fallen off and normal healthy pinkish skin has formed under the crust. Until the 7th - 14th day, until the crust falls off, it is rational to wash the baby every day after bowel movements, wipe the folds with a wet, warm cotton pad. If your navel accidentally gets wet while washing, you need to gently blot it with a soft towel or paper napkin, nothing more.

If, nevertheless, there is a strong need to bathe the baby before the scab falls off, and the pediatrician gives the go-ahead, then you need to bathe in boiled water (bathe in unboiled water only after the navel has completely healed), temperature 37 degrees, no more than 2-3 minutes!

How to help your belly button heal faster

In most cases, how long it takes for a newborn’s navel to heal depends on proper care for the baby:

• wiping with wet warm cotton pads instead of bathing, without touching the navel area;
• daily air baths, starting from 2-3 minutes a day, gradually increasing to 3 times a day for 5 minutes;
• the diaper should not rub against the umbilical cord; to do this, you should cut it off, bend the front edge, put the diaper on lower than necessary, or purchase special diapers with a recess for the navel;
• Do not under any circumstances indulge in the outdated advice of older relatives or neighbors that you need to put coins and stick plasters on your navel for quick healing - this is fraught with suppuration and an abscess! A normally healing navel in modern conditions does not require daily treatment with brilliant green or hydrogen peroxide (unless prescribed by the pediatrician), but only needs air baths and refusal to bathe (wetness provokes rotting under the crust!);
• Wear your baby only rompers and undershirts made from natural fabrics.

How to treat a newborn baby's navel

There are situations, quite rarely, when the navel does not heal perfectly: sometimes it bleeds, is hidden under a very thick crust, and has a pinkish halo. In these situations, the navel of a newborn takes longer to heal and requires special care, prescribed strictly by a pediatrician, who always comes home for patronage. The doctor will explain how many times a day and how to treat the umbilical wound - amateur activities are unacceptable!

Most often, a 2% solution of hydrogen peroxide or brilliant green is prescribed for treatment. Treatment is carried out twice a day. If immediately after the birth of the baby, any problems with the navel are noticed, treatment will be prescribed in the maternity hospital, where the mother will be helped with this by a children's doctor (pediatrician) or nurse. In some maternity hospitals, products for treating the umbilical cord are included in the recommended list of things for the maternity hospital and the expectant mother needs to purchase them in advance and have them in the medicine cabinet; in most maternity hospitals there are no problems with the amount of peroxide and brilliant green and there is no need to buy them in advance.

How long does it take for a newborn's belly button to heal normally?

• up to 2-5 days after birth, the remainder of the umbilical cord, clamped with a clamp (umbilical cord stump), dries out;
• on days 2-5 the residue disappears, leaving a crust underneath;
• the crust thickens, becomes rough, gradually dries out and disappears on its own after 10-15 days (sometimes after 7, but this is rare) of the baby’s life.

How to treat the navel (as prescribed by a doctor, in most cases no treatment is required)

• A drop of hydrogen peroxide is dripped onto the navel.

  How to treat the umbilical wound of newborns?

• When the peroxide stops foaming, the crust will become softer. Carefully remove the loose crust fragments with a cotton swab. Under no circumstances should you reach deep into the navel with a stick, do not push the tissues apart excessively, and do not pick off the crusts! Proceed carefully: the crust does not come off, which means the time has not come yet.
• Dry the navel with a gauze pad using a gentle, blotting motion. After this, in rare cases, pediatricians advise slightly treating the surface with brilliant green. In Europe, the use of brilliant green for treating the umbilical wound has long been abandoned.

What to do if a newborn’s belly button is bleeding

Most often, small bloody discharge from the umbilical wound is observed in the first days of a child’s life, while still in the maternity hospital. You should be alarmed if bleeding does not stop longer than 2-3 days after birth; consultation with a doctor is required. The following may play a role in slow healing and bleeding:

• lack of air baths;
• poor quality diapers that come into contact with the umbilical wound, skin allergies to their components;
• initially the umbilical cord was too wide, leaving a wound of a larger area than the classic one (this is an anatomical feature);
• friction from the diaper significantly affects how much the newborn's navel touches;
• unprofessional clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord by a doctor immediately after childbirth;
• premature laying on the stomach;

Placing it on the stomach before feeding, which was such a popular recommendation a couple of years ago, is now not recommended, as it increases the risk of injury to the umbilical wound and does not in any way contribute to better absorption of food, causing discomfort in the tummy and even pain. Therefore, laying on the stomach neither before feeding nor at all is recommended until the child is 3 months old.

• tissue injury due to very active mechanical removal of crusts with a cotton swab or finger; too active processing of the navel;
• the smallest piece of cotton wool getting into the wound provokes inflammation;
• very low immunity;
• umbilical hernia.

You should immediately consult a doctor if you see signs of inflammation: redness of the tissues around the navel, an unpleasant, putrid odor, strong protrusion of the navel, increased body temperature, protruding blood!

What to do if your belly button gets wet

The navel may become wet for the following reasons:

• when treating the umbilical wound, non-sterile materials are used;
• bacteria from unboiled water entered the wound;
• the wound was treated with dirty hands;
• the newborn is dressed in synthetic fabrics.

A weeping navel in a newborn requires prompt consultation with a doctor, because it does not heal due to infection of the wound, suppuration and accumulation of fluid in the wound. A weeping navel is accompanied by:

• redness of the surrounding tissues;
• swelling;
• yellow crusts of dried pus on the navel;
• soreness;
• local increase in skin temperature.

Even one of these symptoms, let alone several, requires calling an ambulance! In most cases, the child and mother will be urgently admitted to the hospital, where the doctor will prescribe how many times a day and how to treat the wound. Disinfection will take place under the strict supervision of medical staff. Usually a solution of potassium permanganate, streptocide, xenoform, alcohol solutions, baneocin, plus an antibiotic are prescribed in the hospital to prevent sepsis.

Inaction with a weeping navel, ignoring doctor's advice and refusing emergency hospitalization are fraught with: sepsis, omphalitis (infectious inflammation of the navel), peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity) and death! It is also forbidden to stick a patch on the navel, as this leads to the rapid proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Source: Amurochka.Ru.
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Other articles

A newborn's navel gets wet, what to do?

The birth of a newborn child is a great joy. Usually, caring for him does not cause much trouble for young parents. But the joy can be overshadowed by the appearance of an unpleasant, sometimes dangerous, problem - the baby’s navel begins to get wet and fester. Normally, the umbilical wound heals completely by the month of the baby’s life. However, this process, under the influence of certain factors, may be delayed.

Why a weeping navel occurs and what to do in such a situation, we will consider below.

Signs of a problem

Normally, lymph (popularly called ichor) is released from the umbilical wound, which dries out after some time, forming crusts. These crusts are necessary to protect the wound from infection. However, when present in large quantities, they provide a favorable environment for the development and proliferation of bacteria. Therefore, to prevent them from accumulating on the umbilical wound, some of them must be softened and removed daily.

Attention!
Only the soaked crusts from the antiseptic solution are removed. If they are not removable, then you cannot try to rip them off. This is fraught with the appearance of bleeding wounds.

You can recognize a weeping navel in a baby by the following signs:

• the ichor does not dry out (a few hours after treatment with the product, the umbilical wound is moist, a crust does not form);
• copious discharge that acquires a yellowish tint, sometimes mixed with blood;
• unpleasant odor;
• redness of the skin, swelling of the skin around the navel;
• long healing;
• deterioration of the baby’s general condition (crankiness, poor appetite, fever).

At first, a wet navel does not affect the baby’s general well-being. If no measures are taken, an infection may get into the wound, causing inflammation. In severe cases, peritonitis and blood poisoning may develop, requiring urgent medical attention.

Why does my belly button get wet?

• improper care (rare or improper treatment of the navel, irregular diaper changes);
• weakened immunity in the baby;
• individual structural features (too large umbilical cord);
• blood clotting disorder;
• treating the umbilical wound too frequently (more than 2 times a day), using a large amount of antiseptic, which prevents drying.

More serious reasons why the navel may become wet are omphalitis, fistula, fungus.

Omphalitis

This is an inflammatory process affecting the umbilical ring, the bottom of the wound, fatty tissue, and blood vessels. The causative agent of the infection is bacteria (usually staphylococcus, less often E. coli, streptococcus, pneumococcus).

The main cause of omphalitis is the lack of treatment of the navel wound in the first weeks of a child’s life.

Characteristic symptoms:

• redness, bluish tint, swelling of the skin around the navel;
• grayish discharge from the wound;
• excessive tearfulness of the baby, refusal to eat;
• increase in body temperature.

If omphalitis is suspected, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician as soon as possible and begin treatment. Without treatment, the infection will spread throughout the body, disrupting the functioning of internal organs.

Umbilical fistula

A defect (canal) developing in the abdominal cavity, connecting the navel with other organs (intestines, bladder). The contents of these organs enter the canal and cause an unpleasant odor. The defect can have different lengths, so it is customary to distinguish between complete and incomplete umbilical fistula.

Often the cause of the pathology is improper ligation of the navel and poor development of the abdominal muscles.

Characteristic symptoms:

• purulent discharge (with an incomplete fistula there is little of it, with a complete fistula the contents of the intestines or bladder are released);
• high body temperature;
• increase in size of the navel.

The complete fistulous tract is eliminated by surgery. Incomplete is treated conservatively at home under the supervision of a pediatrician.

Fungus (granuloma)

This is the proliferation of granulation cells at the bottom of the umbilical fossa. Sometimes the fungus can become infected due to the penetration of bacteria into the tissue.

Fungus is not an infection, it is an individual characteristic of the body. More often, growth is observed in newborns who have a wide umbilical ring or a wide umbilical cord. Fungus is not normal, so it must be treated.

Characteristic symptoms:

• a tumor-like formation that initially fills the umbilical ring, then extends beyond it;
• pale pink color of the formation.

Granuloma is not dangerous; if it is small in size and properly cared for, it will go away on its own. But, since there is a risk of infection (development of omphalitis), the child must be shown to a doctor for diagnosis and establishment of treatment tactics.

Is it possible to bathe a baby

Bathing a newborn with a wet navel is allowed, but following certain rules. It is very important to use boiled water for bathing, the optimal temperature is 34-37 degrees. Do not add to water, herbal decoctions, gel, or bathing foam.

How to treat the umbilical wound in newborns

You can only add a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). It is recommended to bathe a baby in such water once a week, as potassium permanganate dries out the skin.

What to do and how to process it

Treatment tactics are selected taking into account the situation. Usually treatment is conservative. Sometimes antibiotics may be required. Drying agents are usually prescribed, such as:

• solution of brilliant green (has drying properties, preventing the development of infection);
• Chlorophyllipt solution (an antimicrobial herbal remedy that relieves inflammation, destroys pathogenic microbes and prevents their reproduction);
• Furacilin solution (has a drying effect, inhibits the growth of bacteria, promotes healing);
• Baneocin powder (has an antibacterial effect, eliminating inflammation);
• Xeroform powder (has antiseptic, drying properties).

Attention!
Self-prescription of medications is prohibited! The degree of inflammation should be assessed by a doctor and the appropriate drug prescribed. In case of severe inflammation, complex treatment may be required - treating the newborn’s navel and taking an antibiotic. In some situations, surgery is required.

• treat 3 times a day with a product prescribed by the pediatrician;
• Before handling, be sure to wash your hands with soap;
• do not press, do not pick with your fingers or a cotton swab in the wound;
• Do not apply a bandage or apply a bandage under any circumstances;
• Give your baby air baths 2-3 times a day;
• regularly change the baby’s clothes, wear only spacious clothes made from natural fabrics;
• wash things using special baby powder, iron on both sides;
• change the diaper regularly;
• during the healing period, use diapers with a special cutout for the navel or make such a cutout yourself;
• do not try to clear all the crusts and purulent discharge at once;
• crusts are removed only when soaked;
• The baby should not be placed on its tummy.

Consequences

Without treatment, the situation can quickly get worse. Inflammation will spread to adjacent tissues. The development of omphalitis will begin. The navel will swell, turn red, and profuse purulent discharge will begin. The baby's body temperature will rise, he will eat poorly, become lethargic, and moody. In severe cases, sepsis (blood infection) and peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneal wall) may develop.

Proper Navel Care

Complete wound healing occurs within 4 weeks. It will need to be treated daily in the morning and evening after water treatments. For treatment you will need: 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, 1% Chlorophyllipt solution (or other product prescribed by the pediatrician), cotton swabs, cotton wool, pipette (if necessary).

Before the procedure, you should wash your hands well with soap. Be sure to examine and smell the wound. Normally, there should be no purulent discharge or unpleasant odor. Drop hydrogen peroxide into the wound and wait a little until the crusts soften. Then carefully remove them from the surface with a cotton swab. Take a clean, dry cotton swab and blot the wound to dry it. Now you can drop the Chlorophyllipt solution and wait for it to dry. Afterwards you can put on a diaper and clothes.

It is worth noting!
The diaper should not touch the umbilical wound. To do this, you can purchase special models with a cutout for the navel or make a cutout yourself. You can also put on a diaper by tucking it slightly in front. It is also not advisable to put panties on a newborn during the healing period; it is better to use bodysuits.

Newborn's navel bleeds

While inside the mother, the baby is directly connected to her by the umbilical cord. When a child is born, an umbilical ring is formed in place of the cut umbilical cord.

Normally, fragments of cut tissue gradually heal. This takes from two to three weeks.

The baby's navel dries out and looks slightly recessed.

Rules for treating the umbilical wound

In order for the navel to heal naturally and within the time frame established by nature, it is enough for parents to follow simple hygiene rules.

• Firstly, a newborn should be bathed in the first month of life in boiled water with the addition of a solution of potassium permanganate;
• Secondly, you need to give the baby daily air baths. In air, the crust in the navel area will dry out much faster;
• Thirdly, the baby should not be placed on his tummy until his navel is healed.

Compliance with these rules helps protect the umbilical wound from infection and create conditions so that the navel does not bleed.

Normally, a little ichor is released from the umbilical wound in the first few days of a baby’s life, and then the navel dries out and heals. If weeping or slight bleeding occurs in the umbilical area, the wound area must first be treated with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of hydrogen peroxide. Then the center of the umbilical ring should be lubricated with brilliant green. Hydrogen peroxide removes the remaining microbes, and an alcohol solution of brilliant green dries the wound and disinfects it.

During the healing process of the navel, a dry crust forms on it. It should not be deleted!

Umbilical wound: what you need to know?

The crust should fall off by itself.

When bathing or swaddling a baby, you can accidentally touch the crust and damage it or even tear it off. At the same time, blood will come out of the wound. If this happens, don't panic. You need to carefully treat the navel with peroxide and brilliant green. Then hold the baby's tummy open for a while so that the air dries the wound. The procedure must be repeated 2-3 times a day until the dry crust forms again.

In order to protect the navel area as much as possible from mechanical damage, you need to ensure that the diaper or diaper does not rub the baby’s tummy.

Why does the navel bleed for a long time?

It happens that a newborn's navel does not heal for more than three weeks and continues to bleed. There may be the following reasons for this:

• a careless movement tore off the drying crust from the navel;
• the umbilical wound is not properly cared for;
• due to the placenta being too thick, the umbilical cord was also thickened, so the wound on it heals more slowly;
• the baby was born with an infectious disease or immediately after birth fell ill with it. Weakened immunity of the body does not allow the umbilical wound to heal on time;
• formation of an umbilical hernia;
• There is a foreign body inside the umbilical wound.

When navel bleeding is a consequence of one of the first three reasons, proper treatment of the wound and proper care of the baby can help. In the presence of diseases, hernias or foreign bodies, the cause must be treated, not the effect. This will require the help of a qualified pediatrician.

In addition, if navel bleeding continues for more than three weeks, you need to carefully observe whether it is accompanied by the following signs:

• swelling and hyperemia in the umbilical region;
• discharge of purulent exudate from the umbilical wound;
• increased body temperature of the child in the umbilical region;
• general rise in body temperature of the newborn;
• the presence of a putrid odor in the area of ​​the umbilical ring;
• strong protrusion of the navel, especially when crying;
• the muscles around the umbilical ring do not contract properly.

It is better not to take independent actions if the above signs are present. A newborn should definitely be seen by a doctor!

The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe competent medication treatment.

During intrauterine development, the baby receives all nutrients from the placenta through the umbilical cord. Immediately after birth, it is cut, and all the baby’s organs and systems begin to work independently. At the site where the umbilical cord is attached to the baby’s tummy, an umbilical wound remains, which heals over time. It is very important to care for it properly. Let's figure out how to clean the navel, and also consider its main diseases.

Norms

After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped with forceps and cut. A small section of it is left and tied, after which a special plastic clip (“clothespin”) is placed on it. The future shape of the baby's navel depends on exactly how the midwife made the “knot”.

After about 3-5 days, the remainder of the umbilical cord dries out and falls off on its own. In its place an umbilical wound is formed. The average delay is 1-3 weeks. During this period, it bleeds slightly and becomes wet (ichor is released).

What if the belly button doesn’t take longer to heal? A delay of 3-5 days from the norm is not a problem if there are no alarming symptoms: discoloration, heavy bleeding, discharge, and so on. A physiological increase in the healing time of the wound may be associated with the individual characteristics of the baby, such as a wide or deep navel.

Rules of care

In the maternity hospital, the baby’s umbilical wound is cared for by the medical staff; after discharge, this task falls on the mother’s shoulders. You should ask your doctor or nurse about how to clean your belly button during the first month of life.

Care stages:

1. Bathe the baby in a separate bath in boiled water (36-37 °C). You can add a weak solution of potassium permanganate or an infusion of herbs with antiseptic properties (chamomile, chamomile).
2. After water procedures, blot the baby’s skin with a terry towel. The abdominal area should not be rubbed.
3. Using clean fingers, gently spread the skin near the navel and drop a little hydrogen peroxide on it. After waiting until the reaction (hissing) stops, blot the remaining product with cotton wool.
4. Soak a cotton swab in brilliant green and apply it to the umbilical wound.

Manipulations must be carried out carefully: when trying to clean the navel, it is unacceptable to pick, rub, or press on it. If there are yellowish crusts inside, you should pour peroxide on the wound, wait 2-3 minutes, and they will be removed.

Many modern experts believe that the navel does not need to be cleaned with antiseptics. Bathing your baby in boiled water every day is enough.

In any case, it is important to ensure constant access of air to the wound: do not cover it with a diaper and arrange air baths more often. Until the navel heals, the baby should not be placed on his stomach and massaged.

With improper care, as well as for other reasons, various problems can arise. Most often, young mothers are worried that the navel does not heal for a long time, becomes wet, inflamed, bleeds, bulges, changes its color to red, brown or blue. Let's figure out why this happens.

Omphalitis

Omphalitis is an inflammation of the bottom of the umbilical wound and surrounding tissues caused by bacteria. The main prerequisites are improper care and weakened immunity. The navel can become inflamed if it is not cleaned at all, or if it is treated too vigorously.

There are several forms of omphalitis:

Catarrhal (simple). Symptoms:

• the navel gets wet and does not heal for a long time;
• clear, bloody and serous-purulent discharge;
• redness of the ring around the navel;
• normal health of the child.

Sometimes the wound darkens and becomes covered with a crust, under which discharge accumulates. A complication of catarrhal omphalitis is fungus, a pale pink proliferation of granulations at the bottom of the navel.

Phlegmonous. Symptoms:

• copious purulent discharge;
• protrusion of subcutaneous fat near the navel;
• redness and hyperthermia of the abdominal skin;
• increased body temperature and general weakness.

This form of omphalitis is very dangerous: it can lead to the spread of infection throughout the body and necrotic tissue damage.

If the navel becomes red, darkened, bleeds and becomes wet, you should seek medical help. Catarrhal inflammation is treated by treating with hydrogen peroxide and antiseptics 3-4 times a day. Fungus is cauterized with silver nitrate. The phlegmonous form requires the prescription of local and systemic antibiotics.

Sometimes a child needs detoxification and infusion therapy. If tissue necrosis begins, surgery is prescribed.

Hernia

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An umbilical hernia is a protrusion of organs (intestines, omentum) through the umbilical ring. Outwardly, it looks like a tubercle rising above the surface of the abdomen, which appears when the child cries or strains. When pressing on the navel, the finger easily “falls” into the abdominal cavity.

According to statistics, a hernia is found in every fifth newborn. This usually happens during the first month of the baby's life. Its dimensions can vary significantly: from 0.5-1.5 cm to 4-5 cm.

A hernia is formed due to muscle weakness and slow tightening of the umbilical ring. It is believed that the tendency to form it is inherited. An additional factor under the influence of which a hernia forms is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Its causes are prolonged, strained crying, flatulence, and constipation.

For most children, a hernia does not cause any discomfort. But if you find a protrusion in the navel area, you should consult a doctor. Conservative treatment is usually practiced - massage and gluing of a special patch. By the age of 5-6 years, most often the hernia disappears without a trace due to the strengthening of the abdominal muscles. If this does not happen, an operation to suturing the muscular umbilical ring is prescribed.

In very rare cases, a hernia leads to a complication such as strangulation. It can be suspected if the navel suddenly protrudes, turns blue or a dark spot appears on it, and the baby cries in pain. In such a situation, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Principles of massage

Massage will help cure a small protrusion in the navel area. It is advisable that the course of procedures be carried out by a specialist. But if this is not possible, then you can massage the baby yourself after the umbilical wound has healed.

Sequencing:

1. Stroke the abdomen with your palm around the navel, without touching the liver area.
2. Bend the index finger of your right hand and move its second phalanx around the navel 2-5 times.
3. Place the pad of your thumb on the navel and lightly press on it, imitating screwing movements 3-5 times.
4. Tap your stomach with your fingertips.
5. Place the palms of both hands under the child's lower back. Use your thumbs to move along the oblique muscles and connect them above the navel.

Massage helps to train the abdominal muscles and increase their tone. It must be carried out before meals, with the child lying on his back on a flat surface. Abdominal massage is done only clockwise.

Fistulas

Umbilical fistula is a connection between the umbilical ring and the small intestine or bladder. During the prenatal period, the fetus has choleretic and urinary embryonic ducts. Through the first, nutrition is supplied, and through the second, urine is excreted. Normally, they should close by the time of birth. In some babies, the ducts are partially or completely preserved. This is how fistulas are formed.

A complete fistula of the urinary duct leads to the fact that the navel becomes wet - urine is released through it. At the bottom you can see the red rim of the mucous membrane. An incomplete fistula is characterized by an accumulation of foul-smelling secretions and a change in skin color in the navel area - a pinkish spot may appear on it.

A complete fistula of the choleretic duct is accompanied by partial removal of intestinal contents and visualization of the mucous membrane. An incomplete fistula provokes serous-purulent discharge from the navel.

A fistula can be diagnosed based on examination, ultrasound and radiography. Treatment is only surgical. Without treatment, a fistula can cause omphalitis and peritonitis.

Other problems

What other problems can arise with a baby's navel? The most common situations:

1. The wound is bleeding, a bruise (dark spot) has appeared - injury occurred due to careless hygienic manipulations, when putting on a diaper or clothes, or when turning over on the stomach. You can clean the wound with peroxide and treat it with an antiseptic. If the navel does not heal and bleeds continuously, you need to consult a doctor.
2. The navel becomes wet - a foreign body has entered it. It is necessary to visit a pediatric surgeon to have it removed.
3. The navel is red, but not inflamed - the baby “studied” his body and injured the skin. This often occurs at 6-10 months. Another cause of redness is food or contact allergies. In this case, a rash will be present on other parts of the body.

The navel is one of the most vulnerable areas on a baby’s body in the first month of life. Normally, the wound heals within 1-3 weeks. During this period, it must be cleaned very carefully to prevent infection. If your baby's belly button is inflamed, bleeding, bulging or wet, you should show it to the doctor. In most cases, problems can be solved by massage and proper care.