Umbilical Cord care in newborns
Alternative names:
cord care
Information:
When the umbilical cord is cut, it leaves a stump which then dries, heals, and within 1 to 3 weeks falls off. During the time the cord is healing it should be kept as clean and as dry as possible. In order to keep the cord dry, sponge bathe your baby rather than submersing him in a tub of water.
Apply rubbing alcohol to the baby's cord every time you change the baby's diaper. This is done by gently holding the end of the stump and pulling up just slightly in order to clean the base of the cord with the alcohol. You can use a cotton ball, Q-tip, or a packaged alcohol swab. It is important to squeeze the alcohol around the stump of the cord and clean off any drainage that may be present. It is also advisable to keep the diaper turned down off of the cord.
Continue to apply the alcohol for a few days after the cord falls off to ensure complete healing of the cord stump. This is particularly important if the cord is an "innie" because you cannot see the remainder of the stump and air cannot circulate around it.
Observe the umbilical cord for infection. This does not occur frequently, but can spread quickly if infection does occur. Signs of infection would be:- foul-smelling, yellow drainage from the cord
- redness and tenderness of the skin surrounding the cord
Another infrequent problem is active bleeding. This usually occurs when the cord is pulled off prematurely. Allow the cord to fall off naturally, even if it is only hanging on by a thread. Active bleeding is defined as every time you wipe away a drop of blood, another drop appears. If the cord does actively bleed, call your baby's doctor immediately.
Occasionally instead of completely drying, the cord will form a granuloma, which is pink scar tissue. This granuloma drains a light yellowish fluid. This condition will usually go away in about a week with frequent application of rubbing alcohol.
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The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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