When you’re a parent, you witness a lot of somewhat disturbing things. Case in point? The umbilical cord. While the umbilical cord, in itself, is a beautiful thing (since it’s how you nourished your child while in utero), it’s also a topic that people don’t love to talk about. Because, well, not many people have to deal with umbilical cords or umbilical cord care for long in their life. From cutting to drying out, though, it’s a key stage in your baby’s development.
Basically, umbilical cord care is all part of the newborn years! But if your newborn is suffering from umbilical cord bleeding or an umbilical cord infection, you’ll want to know what to do. Although, for the record, your pediatrician is the best place to go if you’ve got concerns. For the day-to-day basics, here what you should know.
Newborn Umbilical Cord Care
You’ll likely deal with the umbilical cord stump for about two weeks, during which time your main priority is to make sure it continues to heal. Newborn umbilical cord care is fairly easy… but that’s all relative, right? As new parents, everything likely has a feeling of being overwhelming. So, remember that you’re not alone — and this is a stage that most new parents still have questions about.
According to Mayo Clinic, the umbilical cord is typically cut after birth as it no longer serves a need. While your baby was in the womb, the umbilical cord was the primary way for them to get the nutrients they needed. But now, that’s possible due to breast milk or formula, which is given orally. The stump itself is created after the cord is snipped and clamped.
One of the most important things to do is keep the stump dry as it naturally dries out. You’ll also want to make sure the stump is uncovered so that it can get some air. At this stage in life, sponge baths are the best way to make sure the stump heals in time. While water isn’t a bad thing, it can slow down the progress.
Dealing With Umbilical Cord Infection
Since the newborn’s body is technically healing, there’s always a risk for umbilical cord infection. You’ll always want to keep an eye out on a newborn umbilical cord to make sure it’s properly healing.
While doctors do their best with cutting and clamping the cord, germs can still enter at this time. If your baby does develop an infection in the umbilical cord stump infection, it’s known medically as omphalitis. The good news is that it’s pretty rare. You can tell if a stump has gotten infected if it’s red and warm, or tender. Any sort of pus around that area is another indication of an umbilical cord infection.
The cord will also have a bad smell to it. Umbilical cord smell can vary, sure. Let’s be real: It’s often not the most pleasant smell. But if it smells different than normal or especially bad, it may be time to call the pediatrician — especially if you also notice swelling or if your baby expresses discomfort.
How to Handle Umbilical Cord Care After the Stump Falls Off
Eventually, the stump will fall off, which will be a sense of relief. If it doesn’t fall off after two weeks, you may want to call your pediatrician just in case there’s any underlying issue. One of the biggest concerns is an umbilical hernia. In babies, an umbilical hernia doesn’t necessarily hurt, but it’s important to take care of immediately. If a baby cries or coughs and you notice a bulge in that area, that may be the culprit. If a fever or discomfort follows the umbilical hernia, it’s important to see your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Umbilical cord care is a brief part of your parenting journey, but it’s still very important. Just know that many parents also feel discomfort in dealing with the belly button stump. In a way, it’s a beautiful reminder of how you were able to provide for your baby before getting to meet them in person.
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