Caring for New-Born’s Umbilical Cord Stump

Babies in the womb receive food and oxygen through the placenta, which is attached to the inner wall of the mother's uterus. The placenta which is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy is connected to the baby by the umbilical cord. After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is held and cut close to your baby's body. It is a painless procedure. And leave an umbilical stump attached to your baby's navel.

The stump will dry and leave in about 7 to 21 days, leaving a small wound that may take a few days to heal. 

How to care for an umbilical cord stump?

Pediatricians used to recommend cleaning the cord base with alcohol. However, most now recommend leaving the stump completely alone because it is believed that alcohol irritates the skin and, sometimes, delays healing. Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry. Fold your baby's diaper away from the stump (or buy diapers for newborns with a cut-out space for the stump). This exposes the stump to the air and avoids contact with the urine.

Give your baby sponge baths instead of bathtubs.

If the weather is warm, ask your baby to wear only a diaper and a loose shirt to circulate air and speed up the drying process.

Avoid dressing your baby in monkey style shirts.

Never try to remove the stump, even if it seems to hang from a thread.

Signs of infection of the umbilical cord stump:

• The baby cries when it touches the cord or skin next to it.

• The skin around the base of the cord becomes red in colour.

• The stump smells bad or has a yellowish discharge.

For more details, Join us at 2nd Annual Conference on Pediatric Nursing and Healthcare at Dubai, UAE during April 15-16, 2019.