Baby’s Umbilical Cord and Navel – Its Function Inside the Uterus

Whenever a baby was born around here, they called my mother to help “heal” the navel and I of course, as I always loved newborn babies, went after it! I saw my mother healing with tape, gauze, bands, coins in case of umbilical hernia, mertiolate etc., I think it is a thing of my grandparents’ time and the way they healed the navel in the past.

So when I had the first experience with a child’s navel it was like this, let’s say different, you know why? Because I didn’t know how to do it! It was so new, healing the navel was now simpler and more complicated at the same time.

What is the umbilical cord for?

Even though information is available to everyone in the internet age, there are many people who are unaware that the umbilical cord not only carries nutrients for the baby, it also takes oxygen! Yes, so there is no problem when the baby is born and does not yet breathe immediately, if it is still connected to the cord, there is no danger.

Well, the placenta is formed together with the baby during fertilization, when the nesting happens,  the zygote divides into two parts and then one of them becomes the placenta and the other part of the cells becomes a baby. This placenta provides oxygen, nutrients and everything the baby needs to grow and all of this is passed on to the baby through the umbilical cord . The baby’s navel is cut at birth and 2 fingers above the navel, over time it dries and falls giving rise to the navel itself.

Because a clip is placed on the cord during delivery

In maternity and birth, care must be taken to ensure that the umbilical cord is not a source of infection or bleeding , so it is necessary to tie or pinch the cord before cutting, so that there is no risk for the baby and the mom.

Doctors use the forceps, and right after that an appropriate clip is placed on the stump of the umbilical cord that is still attached to the baby. The child does not feel anything when cutting, despite being connected to the body, has no nerve endings so there is no need for pain. From that moment it is necessary to see that it dries and falls.

But there are cases like Joana and Melissa in which the cord took longer than expected to fall. The normal is 4 to 10 days. Joana’s cord took 22 days! Yes and also because I took the pediatrician to help. From Melissa it took about 16 days, even knowing how to cure.

Belly Button Care

For the baby’s navel to fall, it is necessary to pass 70% alcohol in all diaper changes, the alcohol dries the cord and then it loosens itself from the skin. The cotton swab and alcohol should always be on hand to facilitate. Clean the entire base of the navel and also the extension. There are those who prefer to do this process with gauze, but I think that with the swab it is equally effective. Those cares that used to have little time like coins and etc. are no longer needed.

If the baby’s navel takes longer to fall, it is advisable to take it to the pediatrician for evaluation and guidance, but they usually pass silver nitrate. It is a stick that “burns” the navel, so it has to be used very carefully so as not to hurt the baby.

It is safe and easy to use, just take care to put something over the cord as it can stain your clothes. Another tip is to clean very well under the navel if it still has the maternity clip . Melissa came with him from the hospital and the bottom didn’t dry completely even after passing the alcohol and it was necessary to use silver nitrate. Don’t be afraid, taking care of the baby’s navel is very easy and if you still have doubts, just leave it here in the comments that maybe I can help!

Bjus and see you next time!

See also: Baby Colic! What to do?

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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

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