The baby's navel should be cleaned regularly to prevent various infections. Therefore, it is important for mothers to know how to properly clean the baby's belly button.
After the baby is born, the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) that is connected to the placenta or placenta will be cut, but still leaves a small part of the umbilical cord attached to the stomach. This remaining umbilical stump or umbilical cord needs to be nursed until it dries up and clears up on its own from the baby's tummy.
The navel of a baby who has lost the umbilical cord still needs to be kept clean to avoid infection. Now, so that Mother is not wrong in cleaning the navel of the Little One, consider the following method.
How to Clean Baby's Navel
Below are the steps to clean the baby's belly button that you can do at home:
Step 1: prepare equipment
Before cleaning the baby's navel, first prepare all the equipment, such as cotton, soft towels, baby soap, and warm water. When you prepare the equipment, make sure your little one is not left alone. Ask your partner to watch over him. If necessary, Dad can also learn to clean the Little One's navel.
Step 2: wash your hands thoroughly
Wash your hands with soap and running water before cleaning your baby's belly button. This action is important so that the baby's navel avoids the risk of infection due to germs on the mother's hands.
Step 3: Clean the baby's navel slowly
When everything is ready, gently clean the baby's navel using a cotton swab. Try not to be too pressed, yes, Bun. The best materials to use when cleaning are baby soap and warm water. Do not use alcohol as it can irritate the baby's belly button and the skin around it.
Step 4: dry the baby's navel area
After cleaning, dry the baby's belly button with a clean towel. The trick, gently pat the area around the navel until it is completely dry. Remember, don't rub it with a towel because it can hurt your little one's navel. After drying, make sure the diaper used does not cover the baby's umbilical cord area.
Mothers can actually clean the navel while bathing the little one. Clean the navel with a soft towel after you wash your baby's hair, face, neck and chest. Gently clean the baby's navel, then rinse with clean water.
In addition to keeping the umbilical cord clean and dry, it is recommended that you regularly dry your little one in the warm air. Let your little one only use diapers and loose clothes when drying so that it speeds up the drying process.
Mothers should also not try to pull the baby's umbilical cord even if his condition is almost gone. It has been mentioned earlier that the umbilical cord will fall off within 7-21 days and will leave a small wound that will heal by itself in just a few days.
It should be noted that before you practice how to clean the baby's navel above, it's a good idea for you to first check the condition of your baby's navel. If there are signs of infection in the navel, such as redness, smell, pus, or bleeding, take him to the pediatrician immediately.
