4 Symptoms of Baby Umbilical Cord Infection You Shouldn't Ignore

Caring for a baby's umbilical cord properly is something every mother needs to pay attention to. The cord must be kept clean and sterile. The materials used on it can't be chosen carelessly either, since they can irritate the baby's skin. Below are the symptoms of umbilical cord infection that result from poor cord care.

Symptoms of Umbilical Cord Infection in Babies

1. Red and Swollen Skin

The first sign of an infection on a baby's body is a rash or redness around the infected area. The same applies to an umbilical cord infection. The skin around the cord turns red and may even develop itchy spots. The rash is often accompanied by swelling.

If the area swells, the mother should consult a doctor right away, because swelling is a sign of an advanced infection. At this stage the baby starts to get fussy because of pain in the belly. In some cases, swelling at the cord even gives the baby a fever, which makes the mother panic.

2. Fever

Mistakes in caring for a baby's umbilical cord can also cause a fever. Fever is one sign of infection. It shows the body fighting off bacteria or viruses. A baby's fever may well come from a germ infection at the cord. This is what mothers need to watch for: the cord must not become a source of bacteria.

If the fever is the result of a cord infection, the mother must treat the cord itself. She can't rely on fever-reducing medicine alone, because the source of the problem is at the little one's cord. The condition can't be resolved with medicine alone; the cord infection has to be treated as well.

3. A Fussy Baby

Fussiness is a sign of discomfort in a baby. If your baby is fussy and seems to be in pain around the cord, it could be a symptom of infection. Frequent fussing in a baby is not something a mother can simply ignore, because it can signal that the baby is in pain.

Babies get fussy for many reasons. If hunger is the cause, the baby quiets down after a feed. If the fussing comes from discomfort after a bowel movement or urination, it stops once the mother changes the diaper. If an infection is the cause, the baby is not easy to calm down, because the pain keeps on bothering them.

4. Fluid Coming Out of the Baby's Navel

Poor cord care can also cause a symptom of infection in the form of pus-like fluid coming out of the baby's navel. If this happens, the infection is already very bad. Pus is an indicator that bacteria are growing beneath the baby's skin tissue.

Those are the 4 symptoms of an infection in a baby's skin. An infection must be treated promptly so it does not cause further problems. You can read a baby care guide at Mitu Baby's baby care solutions. There is plenty of information there on caring for babies that you can put into practice.

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