How long should I use to protect my baby's umbilical cord?

Every baby goes through the process of having the umbilical cord cut when coming out of the mother's belly. After the baby's umbilical cord is cut, the remaining umbilical cord will fall off by itself after a period of time, forming a belly button. However, during the period when the umbilical cord falls off, parents must take good care of the baby's umbilical cord to prevent the baby's umbilical cord infection. Many parents therefore use umbilical cords to prevent infection. So, how long should you protect your baby's umbilical cord?

How long does it take to protect the umbilical cord?

There is no time limit for this. As long as the baby's umbilical cord has fallen off and there is no external leakage in the navel, you don't need to use it. The umbilical cord of some newborns will fall off in a week, while others may take half a month or even a month to fall off. Therefore, you should wait until the umbilical cord falls off before removing the umbilical cord protector.

Care after the umbilical cord falls off

1. Keep dry: The baby's umbilical cord should be kept dry before it falls off. Especially if the base of the umbilical cord is accidentally wetted during bathing, it should be wiped clean with a clean cotton swab before performing umbilical cord care.

2. Avoid friction: The size of the diaper should be appropriate. Never let the waist of the diaper just at the base of the umbilical cord. This will easily cause friction to the base of the umbilical cord when the baby moves, causing skin breakage, redness, and even bleeding.

3. Avoid stuffiness. Never apply creams, lotions or oils to the base of the umbilical cord, as this may prevent the cord from drying out and may even lead to infection.

How to take care of the umbilical cord after taking a bath

Wipe off the water on the baby's body, then take two medical cotton swabs, dip them in a proper amount of alcohol, and wipe from the root of the fallen umbilical cord in a clockwise direction from inside to outside. After using one cotton swab, replace it with another one. Avoid repeated use or wiping from outside to inside, as this will bring bacteria into the belly button. After wiping, wait a few seconds for the alcohol to evaporate.

The umbilical cord protector can be used until the baby's umbilical cord falls off and then it can be discontinued. The baby's umbilical cord usually falls off about 1 week after birth. It is best to bathe your newborn baby every day, and remember to take care of the baby's umbilical cord after bathing. If the baby's umbilical cord becomes festering or bleeds after it falls off, it may be infected and the baby should go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.