Right care of baby's umbilical cord stump must be taken so that it heals properly and infections are prevented. Here are some tips for taking care of newborn's umbilical cord stump. In the womb babies get nourishment and oxygen through the placenta. The placenta is connected to the inner wall of the mother's uterus. It is also connected to the baby by the umbilical cord via an opening in the baby's abdomen. After birth this cord is clumped. The cord is cut very close to the body leaving an umbilical stump.
The umbilical cord stump normally dries up and drops off on its own within 2-3 weeks. However, it may leave a small injury which may take some time to heal. Therefore, it is necessary to take right care to make the injury heal properly and keep infections at bay.
Tips for Taking Care of Umbilical Cord Stump
Here are some useful tips for taking care of newborn's umbilical cord stump.
Hygiene
The umbilical cord stump must always be dry and clean. Otherwise, naturally occurring bacteria on the
baby's skin can easily start multiplying in this area and cause an infection. Because of poor hygiene at times the cord stump can become septic and result in tetanus. Parents must be very careful and ensure to wash their hands before touching the stump while changing the
baby's nappy.
Exposure to Air
Till such time that the cord falls off it should be kept open. Hence, it may be necessary to fold the nappy and fix it a little lower on the baby's abdomen below the stump. The cord will thus be exposed to air and at the same time not come in contact with
baby's stools or urine.
Baby's Clothes
The baby must be made to wear a diaper and a loose dress in summers to ensure proper air circulation and to speed up the cord drying process. Tight fit clothes and undershirts must be avoided at least till the cord falls. At times the stump may appear to be hanging by a little thread. This is perfectly normal and attempt must not be made to pull it off the cord.
Umbilical Granuloma
When the cord falls off naturally, it may leave a raw spot or some bits of flesh near the navel. This spot and the entire area should be kept dry to prevent infection. There is absolutely no need to cover this area. Till the raw spot heals completely the
diaper must continue to be placed just below the baby's tummy to leave space for the unhealed navel. In case it does not heal within a reasonable period of time medical intervention may be sought.
Swabbing the Cord
In the good old days it was quite common to swab the stump by rubbing it with alcohol or antiseptics. However, research has now indicated that cords swabbed with alcohol takes much longer to dry as compared to the ones left untreated. Hence, it is best to let the cord heal and Dry off on its Own.
Proper
umbilical cord care is essential to ensure that the baby stays healthy and away from infections. First time mothers can look up for information on the internet or ask for help of their doctors about tips and techniques on proper cord care.
Mothers should also learn to enjoy their baby and motherhood by being worry-free as far as possible. For example; drops of blood around the umbilical cord area are quite normal and not a major cause of concern. Medical intervention must however be sought in case of an infection caused due to the cord. Some of the symptoms of the infection include
a) Formation of pus at the base of the stump.
b) In case the child is unwell or has fever.
c) If the navel and the area surrounding it becomes swollen or red.
Follow all the above mentioned tips for taking care of your newborn's umbilical cord stump to the ‘T'. Make sure that you keep your newborn baby in a completely hygienic condition to avoid infections and to let the umbilical cord stump heal properly.
What is the right way of taking care of a newborn’s umbilical cord stump? How long does it take for an umbilical cord stump to heal? When should parents be concerned about newborn’s umbilical cord stump? Discuss here.
