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Umbilical Cord Care




A newborn umbilical cord is a stump of 1-2 cm long with a plastic clamp attache Within one day the umbilical cord which was shiny and moist at birth will shrivel up, turn crusty and darken in color. After about 5 days to 2 weeks the clamp will dry up and fall off. For a while there will be two parts: the blackish part of the umbilical cord and the skin color part of the navel.




Caring for Cord


In the past doctors used to advise cleaning the stump with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or antiseptic powders to aid in the healing process and keep the area free from infection. Not anymore. Recent studies indicate the more you stay away from it the better. But again it all depends on what you are comfortable with; just ensure the umbilical cord area is kept clean and dry at all times to ward off infection. 2 things you can or should do:



• Fold down your baby's diaper to air the stump. As much as possible do not allow the diaper to come into contact with the umbilical cord and to expose the umbilical cord to air



• Skip tub baths altogether for a week to 10 days or until the umbilical cord drops off and the area heals totally; stick to topping and tailing instea The idea is to keep the navel area as dry as possible. Infection sets in when the wound comes in contact with water and for some reason the area doesn't dry up.



The Basics on Cleaning

• Once the umbilical cord falls off there will be a small woun Sometimes a small amount of blood tinged fluid oozes from the site. This is normal unless it doesn't dry up completely in a few days.




• Remember to clean the area every day to prevent infection.




• Never be tempted to pull the umbilical cord; it will drop off when its time for it to drop off.




• Clean the umbilical cord every day with cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water if you prefer cleaning it to leaving it alone.


• Dry gently with a soft towel.



• Keep the umbilical cord exposed to air and prevent it from becoming wet with urine - turn the top of your baby's nappy down



Common concerns


• Umbilical cords take longer to fall off if there is an infection. If it is kept dry it will fall off sooner, usually within a week after delivery.



• Touching the umbilical cord doesn't hurt the baby unless it is infecte



• A few drops of blood seeps out when the umbilical cord starts to separate - this is old bloo If the area is kept clean the bloody spot will heal fast.



• Swelling in the navel is a hernia. It is very common. It usually resolves itself in a few months and sometimes it can take longer but no treatment is needed. Do not attempt to press the lump down with home binders as it can do harm instead of good.



• The fleshy part after the stump falls off is the granulation tissue (umbilical granuloma). With time this bright red scar tissue will settle down; if not it will be treated with silver nitrate and allowed to wither and drop off.





When Cause becomes a Concern



• Redness in the surrounding skin



• Discharge from the navel or the base of the umbilical cord



• Discharge is foul smelling



• If the raw spot doesn't completely close and dry up two weeks after the stump falls off


 
 
 
 
 
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Disclaimer: Information contained on this Web site is intended solely to make available general summarized information to the public. It should not be substituted for medical advice. It is your responsibility to consult with your pediatrician and/or health care provider before acting on any advice on this web site. While OEM endeavors to provide up-to-date and accurate information, it is not liable for any advice whatsoever rendered nor is it liable for the completeness or timeliness of any information on this site.
 
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