Being a mother, you would have all been through the umbilical cord phase of our baby. It is a tube-like structure that connects you to your baby which helps carry food, oxygen and other nutrients to a baby from the mother’s placenta during pregnancy. It also helps to carry waste products away from the baby so that the mother’s body gets rid of the waste.
Umbilical cords form during the initial weeks of pregnancy and grow up to about 22 inches long till the time of baby’s birth. After your baby is born the doctors usually clamp the umbilical cord of your newborns and cut it. When this is done neither you nor your newborn will feel anything as the umbilical cord has no nerves. However, even after it’s removal a small stump usually a half inch long will be left on your newborn’s belly.
The umbilical cords might look yellowish and little shiny in the early days and might turn brown, purplish or grey upon drying. It will usually shrivel and turn black in color before it falls off on its own. Usually it falls off within 14 days after your baby is born.
Once the umbilical cord falls off, there are a few things to care about and keep in mind
- Being gentle
Handling the umbilical cord gently should be of utmost priority. Try to keep your hands off the Umbilical cord and never pull on it.
- Give sponge baths to your newborns
Keeping the umbilical cord dry and clean is a must and in order to do so, try skipping the sink and tub bath by giving sponge baths.
- Let it fall off by itself
You would feel like pulling the cord of your newborn. But resist yourself from doing so and leave the cord alone until it falls off by itself. In the past, most doctors usually suggested cleaning the cord’s base with rubbing alcohol as it helped in drying it out, but now the guidance regarding this has changed
- Shield the cord
Fold your newborn’s diapers so that they rest below the umbilical cord to shield the cord from your little one’s pee. Or else just try placing a piece of tape around it to seal the edges.
- Cleaning the cord
Most of the babies have a messy bowel movement and if some stool gets on the umbilical cord, try cleaning it off with soap and water
If the umbilical cord is not well maintained or well cared. You may often see some of the infections. Consult a doctor if you see any of the below infections in your newborns
- Yellow or white discharge
- A bleeding cord
- Redness or swelling around the cord
- Area around the cord causes pain or irritation to your baby
- Cord oozes pus
CONCLUSION
Proper treatment is needed to stop the cord infection from spreading. Also, if your baby’s cord hasn’t separated after 3 weeks try consulting your baby’s doctor in order to prevent further complications or any underlying problems.