Newborn Care: Caring for the Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord plays a vital role for a baby in the womb,
as it is through it that the baby gets all his food supply from
her mother. Even after birth, this is one part that remains for
a few weeks and needs to be taken care of. However, first-time
mothers don’t really know the basics of newborn care and how
they should care for their baby’s umbilical cord, so read on to
have an in-depth knowledge of how to care for this very
essential part of a newborn baby.
What is a stump?
The role played by the
umbilical cord is required only till the time the baby is not
born, once the baby is born, the doctors simply cut this part
off leaving a stump behind. Stump or a small inch-long portion
of the umbilical cord remains there for 1 to 2 weeks. Though
not a very sensitive part of a baby after birth, the stump
should not be neglected while doing newborn care. In fact, to
be on a safer side, doctors simply clip or snip the stump, so
that the baby doesn’t get hurt due to it.
Healing the stump
At the starting, the
baby’s stump is fresh and is of yellow color but as time passes
it changes its color from yellow to green, then brown and
finally black, as it finally dries out and falls on its own.
Two weeks is the maximum time in which the stump falls down,
and during these two weeks, one should know the basics of
newborn care for healing the stump. Mentioned below are some
healing tips for the stump:
* Cleaning the stump: It is very important to leave the stump
to dry on its own. In case, the stump appears dirty or sticky,
you can simply clean it with a slightly damp cloth and then dry
it.
* Drying the stump: It is essential to keep the stump as drier
as possible for a quick healing. You can simply expose the
stump to air, but remember not to always cover it. Also, change
wet diapers quickly, so that the stump doesn’t get wet.
* Sponge baths: During the first two weeks, the duration till
which the stump remains, it is better to avoid giving the baby
a wet bath. Instead, give sponge bath, so that the stump
doesn’t get wet. Once the stump falls, you can start giving a
normal wet bath to the baby.
* Falling on its own: Remember, not to pull the stump yourself,
as it may cause infection to the baby. Stump is a part that
falls down on its own so don’t play with it to make it fall
soon, this is one of the main tips of newborn care.
Stump Infections
While doing a newborn care, it is essential that you notice
every minute change that occurs around the umbilical cord of
your baby. In many cases, if the umbilical cord is not properly
taken care of, then infection takes place. Mentioned below
are some signs of infections that can arise around the
umbilical cord of a newborn baby:
* Redness or swelling around the umbilical cord.
* Secretion of yellowish pus.
* Continuous bleeding.
* Secretion of a foul-smelling discharge.
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