How To Clean A Newborn's Umbilical Cord Stump
Caring for an infant can be challenging. A woman may find it very difficult to adjust to her new role as a mother. While the infant is attempting to adjust to life outside the womb, a woman is also trying to cope with the demands of motherhood. Proper care for your new child does not only entail feeding and changing diapers initially. You also need to take care of your baby's umbilical cord stump to promote healing.
The sight of an umbilical cord stump may frighten a lot of parents. However, parents should not be afraid in handling it because with proper care, it could normally fall off between 1 and 2 weeks soon after birth. Stump care is primarily done to stop infection.
The umbilical cord stump should gradually change from yellowish green, to brownish then to black. It has been the common practice to apply alcohol to the infant's stump to speed up drying. Nonetheless, recent studies have shown that it's much better to leave the stump alone to fall off. Cleaning can be performed if the stump is dirty or sticky. Clean the stump with a cotton swab soaked in warm water and mild soap. After squeezing the extra water, wipe lightly the sides of the stump and the surrounding skin. Afterwards, pat the region dry with a clean cloth.
If the stump is kept dry, healing will occur faster. Your child's diaper should be folded beneath the umbilical cord stump. It will stop contents from a soiled diaper to penetrate the stump. It's a good idea to change baby diapers often to decrease the chance of irritation. It may additionally be smart to dress your little one properly in warm weather to increase air circulation. Tub baths are additionally not advisable if the stump has not healed and fallen off. Sponge baths may be essential at that time to promote drying. The use of creams, lotions and oils close to the cord ought to be avoided. They may only slow down drying and may also invite infection.
The stump should slowly adjust color as it dries up. A dried stump can be gray, brownish or black. Do not try to remove the stump even ifit is nearly detached. Leave it to fall off on its own to prevent any complications. A blood-tinged fluid may ooze out of the navel immediately after the stump has fallen off. That is completely normal and should not cause any concern. The navel region is expected to fully dry and heal in two weeks after falling off.
Mothers and fathers should get in touch with their health care provider if they notice indicators of infection. These involve pus around the base of the cord, redness and tenderness near the area, fever and fluid which continues to leak out of the cord a few days after falling off. It is also not normal if the umbilical area produces a foul-smelling discharge because it may indicate an infection. You also need to reach your medical doctor if you notice moistness and swelling on your baby's navel two weeks after falling off.
Females, particularly new mothers, may feel inadequate in taking proper care of the umbilical cord stump. Even so with appropriate care, it will fall off soon after a few weeks. Talk about your concerns with your physician so you can be guided accordingly.
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