The umbilical cord plays a significant role in the newborn’s early moments outside the womb. It is imperative that the umbilical cord stump be properly cared for in order to avoid infections and guarantee proper healing. Although many new parents might be uncertain about how to handle this process, it is manageable at home with a few simple steps.
In a few weeks, the cord stump will naturally dry out and fall off, but maintaining cleanliness and dryness throughout the healing process is essential. You and your infant can have a more comfortable time during this phase if you know how to properly clean and handle the stump. To help you feel prepared and confident, we’ll go over the recommended methods and best practices for taking care of your newborn’s umbilical cord stump in this guide.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Clean Hands | Before handling the umbilical cord, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. |
| 2. Prepare Supplies | Gather a clean pair of scissors or clippers, sterile gauze, and antiseptic (usually alcohol or a recommended solution). |
| 3. Clamp the Cord | If not already done by the healthcare provider, apply a clamp to the umbilical cord to stop any bleeding. |
| 4. Cut the Cord | Using sterile scissors or clippers, cut the umbilical cord about 1-2 inches from the baby"s abdomen, if necessary. |
| 5. Clean the Area | Gently clean the base of the umbilical cord stump with a sterile swab and antiseptic solution to prevent infection. |
| 6. Dry the Area | Allow the area to air dry completely before dressing the baby or covering the area with a diaper. |
| 7. Monitor for Infection | Keep an eye on the umbilical stump for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge. Seek medical advice if any of these symptoms occur. |
| 8. Keep It Clean and Dry | Ensure the area stays clean and dry to promote natural healing. Avoid covering it tightly with the diaper or clothing. |
- Structure
- In the maternity hospital
- At home
- If the clamp has not fallen off
- When it falls off
- Video on the topic
- How to treat the navel of a newborn (treatment of the umbilical wound, care of a newborn).
- Treatment of the navel of a newborn in a bracket
- Primary treatment of the umbilical cord
- Treatment of the umbilical wound of a newborn
- Treatment of the umbilical cord
- Primary treatment of a newborn
Structure
An elastic rubber hose and the umbilical cord are strikingly alike. With a length of over half a meter, it can withstand substantial loads. The baby’s stomach is on one side of the umbilical cord, and the placenta’s center is on the other.
There are one vein and two arteries inside the umbilical cord. Pure blood rich in oxygen, nutrients, and minerals travels through the vein to the baby, while blood saturated with carbon dioxide and metabolic products passes through the arteries and the placenta.
The sensitivity of the umbilical arteries to oxytocin is high. They narrow and mobilize when the pregnant woman’s body reaches its maximum level, which occurs during childbirth. At the cellular level, this is how the umbilical cord naturally rejects itself; however, obstetricians physically cut the cord when the baby is delivered. The umbilical cord is no longer necessary once the baby is born because it can breathe through its lungs and eat through its gastrointestinal tract.
In the maternity hospital
Obstetricians start treating the baby during labor, even before it is born. The mucus that fills the baby’s mouth and nose is removed as soon as the head is born using a sterile bulb. Doctors continue to oversee the labor process when a baby is delivered whole because the mother still needs to deliver the placenta and the newborn needs to undergo multiple rounds of umbilical cord care.
The umbilical cord of a newborn should be treated as soon as possible; in fact, the cord should be clamped with Kocher clamps within 10 to 15 seconds of the baby’s birth. One clamp is placed on the cord ten centimeters from the baby’s umbilical ring, or navel. A few centimeters from the first clamp, and facing the placenta, is where the second clamp is applied.
A portion of the umbilical cord, which will be cut, is located between the clamps. After applying alcohol to it, sterile surgical scissors are used to cut it. The "liberated" baby is only then presented to the expectant mother; the midwives then identify the baby’s gender and bring it to a designated changing table that is heated and has a clean diaper. This is the start of the secondary processing phase.
After applying alcohol to the umbilical cord remnants, blot them with a dry, sterile napkin. The medical staff’s plan of action in this case is meticulously planned out, and everything is completed promptly. Fingers are used to compress the treated umbilical cord, and a Rogovin clamp is placed 20–30 mm from the umbilical ring. Pulling back about two centimeters, they sever the umbilical cord once more and apply a potassium permanganate solution (5 percent) to the wound.
While the navel was once tied with a knot, it is now customary to hold the child in place with a clamp (Rogovin staple) until the navel falls off entirely. The obstetrician will check the umbilical ring and stump every day in the children’s section of the maternity hospital. Every day, the umbilical cord of the newborn will receive care. There is little chance of an umbilical wound infection if the medical staff follows hygienic regulations and instructions.
A severe infection, sepsis, or umbilical hernia are almost never likely to occur in a baby who was born healthy and full-term provided the standard operating procedures (SOP) algorithm was followed. Where doctors stop being responsible for their work is where complications start to arise.
Handling and tending to a newborn’s umbilical cord gently is an essential yet straightforward task. Infection can be avoided and appropriate cord healing can be ensured by adhering to a defined set of procedures. Parents should refrain from covering the area with tight clothing or diapers, keep it dry, and clean it with a mild disinfectant every day. It usually comes off in a few weeks, but in the interim, it’s important to keep an eye out for any swelling or redness. This procedure guarantees the baby’s comfort in the early days and encourages good healing.
At home
Young parents are responsible for treating the umbilical wound after being released from the maternity hospital. And a ton of questions come up here. The mother can learn how to properly care for the umbilical wound from the local pediatrician, who will also make sure to visit the child at home on the first day following discharge. However, it is recommended that parents always carry a memo with them that details navel hygiene procedures.
The treatment is actually not complicated at all. It ought to be a part of the infant’s daily toilet routine.
If the clamp has not fallen off
After delivery, the baby may be released from the clamp on the fifth day or only on the seventh or eighth day, along with the dried remnant of the umbilical cord. Everything is unique here. There is no need to treat the navel if everything is normal and there are no symptoms of inflammation before the umbilical cord falls off. If the physician is adamant about treatment, handle this procedure with caution.
The navel is handled carefully while the clamp is in place to prevent infection and interfere with the umbilical cord remnant’s mummification processes. Tweezers, cotton pads, brilliant green, and a pipette are required for the treatment. First things first, the mother needs to wash her hands and apply an antiseptic (preferably "Miramistin"). Using a pipette, carefully apply one or two drops of brilliant green to the location where the remaining umbilical cord is fastened to the umbilical ring.
It is important to keep in mind that the umbilical cord remnants that are clamped should always be dry. Aim to avoid dousing them in diapers. If the baby urinates or spits on the navel, you should rinse it under running water and pat dry with an ironed napkin before letting it air dry thoroughly.
You can and should give the baby a bath and place it on its stomach using the remaining portion of the umbilical chord. Use of boiled water is advised only for hygienic procedures. Natural fabrics should be used for newborn clothing, and the navel region should not have any pressing fasteners or elastic bands.
When it falls off
Daily treatment of the umbilical wound should begin as soon as the umbilical cord comes off. The baby should be left supine with an open abdomen for a while to allow the wound to partially dry out after the mummified portion of the umbilical cord with the clamp falls out.
In the future, it will be crucial to keep an eye on her to make sure her clothes are comfortable and she isn’t wearing a diaper.
It is important for parents to know that a small amount of blood in the umbilical wound and the development of crusts there are normal and natural occurrences. At all costs, avoid attempting to rip off these crusts. In order to heal the wound, you’ll need
- tweezers;
- a pipette;
- cotton pads;
- cotton swabs;
- brilliant green (1%);
- hydrogen peroxide (3%);
- antiseptic for treating adult hands.
Using a pipette, the mother should carefully spread the edges of the wound and drip a few drops of hydrogen peroxide inside, making sure her hands are clean, cleansed, and free of long manicures. If the peroxide is too cold, the baby will be uncomfortable and may cry and fuss throughout the process. Room temperature is the ideal temperature for all medications used to treat the navel.
Using a cotton swab, carefully remove any extra peroxide. After thirty to forty seconds, you can start dressing the wound. The crusts and other contents of the wound should be carefully removed using a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Following this, you should give the wound some time to dry before beginning to apply brilliant green. This should take only a few minutes. A pipette is filled with it, and one or two drops are directly applied to the wound.
After the wound has healed, you must give the baby a bath. The baby can take a bath at three weeks old, as this process is usually finished by the twentieth day after the baby’s birth. Prior to this, the baby is cleaned with wet wipes and a diaper soaked in warm water as soon as the umbilical cord falls off, to prevent water from getting into the open wound.
A newborn’s umbilical cord must be processed correctly to guarantee a healthy start. Adhering to a simple regimen facilitates healing and reduces infection. Parental guidance on how to use a mild antiseptic and maintain cleanliness and dryness of the cord will help the healing process go smoothly.
It is essential to regularly check the cord for infection-related symptoms like redness or discharge. Seeing a pediatrician right away if any strange symptoms appear can help address possible problems before they get serious.
Parental guidance and adherence to these easy steps can guarantee effective umbilical cord healing. This careful attention to detail not only promotes the health of the infant but also gives new parents peace of mind in their early parenting days.
