Any suggestions on how to clean my sons belly button. I can't get near it without him freaking out, just like his daddy! But my son's is so tiny I'm afraid there's dirt in there I can't see. I've tried baby oil on a cotton swab but I didn't get very far, Jacob started screaming and squirming and I didn't want to hurt him. Doctor says don't worry about it as long as I give him baths and not showers. I just don't feel right leaving it be. Anyone ever have problems with dirt left in there?
Well, my daughter's almost 3 and I taught her to clean her belly button out herself in the shower, but when she was younger and when she gets really dirty outside I'll use a Q-Tip with alcohol on one end. I'll use the alcohol end first because any dirt that may be there will stick because it's wet and then dry it with the other end. Good luck! :)
Hi R., wow we all know how it hurt to have our belly button touched a little too hard, my son is a role in the mud and throw as much sand on himself kind of boy his belly button is dirty all the time and not easy to clean since he has an in belly button, I use vaseline, I put it softly all around the inside of his button and leave it for a while and then when he takes his bath at night the dirt has softened and is easy to remove. Hope this helps.
Bonnie F.
R.,
Hello,
They don't like having it cleaned because it does feel weird. And can even be uncomfortable. I have 3 boys, and the best you can do is during the bath just wash it at the same time as the belly, it really doesn't need a scrubbing. There won't be trapped dirt or infection if that is what you worry about. When they get old enough to clean themselves, they will feel more comfortable cleaning it themselves. I hope I have help to put rest to your worries.
D.
I'm not sure how old your son is - but, I agree with the doctor. When you give him a bath, the belly button will get clean! Unless he is playing in a dirt pile, he's really not getting too dirty, right!
There are too many things to stress over as a mother - really, there's no need to worry about this.
I have almost the same problem, but with my son's ears... So I do it when he is sleeping...
Good Luck
K.
A bit about myself, I have a wonderful husband, I am 35 and have the most perfect children my son is almost 3 and my daughter is 10 weeks Wednesday...
Clean it while he's sleeping duh!
Hey R.,
What exactly are you worried will happen if dirt is left in there? And really, how much dirt could be in there? Unless my son took handfuls of dirt and started packing it in there as tight as possible, I doubt there's much actually "hiding" in there, lol.
Unless he has an open wound in his belly button, he's not going to get an infection, and even if he did have an open wound, the minor amount of dirt that's in there wouldn't be enough to give him anything worth seeing a doctor for. Also, as the doctor said, him just sitting in the tub will "rinse it out" anyway.
R.,
My sister and I both have very sensitive belly buttons. They are deep innies and we have never had any trouble with them being dirty. Which is fortunate, because it is extremely uncomfortable to be touched there. If Jacob's daddy is sensitive, then maybe your son inherited this feeling. It's probably best for your son if you just leave it alone. But if there is an excess of dirt in there or you notice something strange, I would try cleaning it while he sleeps. Another mother suggested this too. I have the same problem cleaning my son's ears. It has never disturbed his sleep (thankfully).
Good luck. Try not to worry too much. :)
-T.
when in the bath tub .... just make cleaning his belly button with the wash cloth part of the bathing routine ....that will get it clean enough that you wont need to worry ......
leave it alone .you might think that it needscleaning but really i heard that if you try to clean it to much it is bad.i belive that it cleans it self.just if you use a rag try to tuickle him and clean it by palying with him.
Hi R. I have a 3 yrs old boy and he hates for me to mess with his belly so I do it in the shower and play little games to make him more comfy. Depending on age I would let him try first them you and see if this work if he feels like a big boy them he might let you. I hope this helps.
you sound like a wonderful woman and your son and husband are lucky to have you. as far as the navel goes, as long as there is no visible soil and hes not using it to hold ketchup for his french fries, please dont let this bother you. as so many others have pointed out, we have so many other things to worry about!
Hi R.. It depends on how old he is, first of all. You might want to try alcohol or soap on the q-tip while he's sleeping. If he is old enough to understand you, then tell him while he's in the bath to put soap on his finger and wiggle it around in his belly button. Good luck and I hope this will help.
I have three young children and have never worried about cleaning their belly buttons, It just gets washed when they bathe or shower. Now if you have an infant then with him losing that little stub after birth you'll need to clean it while he's asleep. If he's old enough to wear he's bathing then it'll be okay...Is this your first?
