The baby belly button

The belly button is a strange thing. You probably know that your baby was supplied via the and thus the navel in the mother's womb with everything it needed until birth. You may have already noticed that the belly button looks different in every person. In some, it has sunk deep into the abdominal wall, in others, it protrudes a bit. Additionally, a small piece of the umbilical cord remains attached to the baby's navel. This has a dark color and becomes very hard after a few days. It can be bothersome when changing diapers, gets in the way when and can, to make matters worse, become inflamed. We will show you what you should know about baby navel care.

How to properly care for your navel

Maybe you're wondering why a baby's umbilical cord needs care beyond regular washing. Don't worry: in most cases, you don't have to do much, because the stump usually falls off on its own between the second and fifth day of your baby's life. Surely, your postpartum midwife also regularly checks the umbilical cord and treats it with powder, an antiseptic solution, clear water, or another tincture she has good experience with. Please keep your fingers away from the umbilical cord and touch it as little as possible. It is especially important to keep the umbilical cord dry. A sterile umbilical compress can help with this. It is breathable and maintains a gap between the clamp and the umbilical cord. Some midwives and doctors also recommend leaving the umbilical cord exposed to fresh air as much as possible. In the so-called "open variant," you fold down the diaper to air out the wound and the clamp. By the way: our in sizes 1 and 2 are designed with a cut-out at the waistband for sensitive baby belly buttons, so you can skip folding down.

If you need to clean the child's umbilical cord yourself, it is best to use a cotton swab moistened with boiled, lukewarm water. Always wash your hands before caring for the umbilical cord and do not use tinctures or powders. You don't have to worry that caring for the umbilical cord might hurt the baby. There are no nerves in the umbilical cord stump that could transmit sensations.

What to do in case of an umbilical infection and an umbilical hernia?

In very rare cases, the umbilicus becomes inflamed, which you can recognize by a redness surrounding it or by the secretion of a discharge that sometimes also has a bad smell. The umbilicus may also bulge or your child may have a fever without you being able to detect any signs of infection. In these cases, you should see a pediatrician who will examine whether an umbilical hernia is present. Under no circumstances should you attempt any self-care measures or touch the umbilicus. Your midwife will monitor the healing process.

What happens when the rest of the umbilical cord has fallen off?

One morning, the time has come: the umbilical cord stump has finally fallen off. You are surely relieved, and your midwife will also be happy that this issue has resolved itself completely. Sometimes, the navel still secretes wound fluid for a few days. After bathing, you can gently pat the navel dry with a clean cloth.