After giving birth, expect that your doctor will clamp and cut your baby's umbilical cord. After which, your newborn will have a 2cm to 3cm-long stump, which you need to keep clean until it falls off.
So, to help you with your baby's care, Parent Herald listed all the things you need to do including the don'ts to keep your baby safe from any infection.
Always wash your hands.
Before you touch your baby's cord stump, make sure you thoroughly washed your hand with water and soap.
Keep the belly button area of your baby clean.
Before, parents used to clean stump with rubbing alcohol, then they always cover it with a bandage. However, a recent research said the stump might heal faster if parents don't use any products on it. Hence, if you notice the stump of your baby is dry, then just simply clean it with clean water and dry it using a clean cloth.
Always keep it dry.
The stump will heal faster if you expose it to air as much as possible. So, try not to cover the area with pants and diaper. Fold the nappies down if it is covering your baby's stump.
Don't bath your baby in a bath tub until the stump falls off, stick with the sponge bath instead.
It is much safer to sponge bath your baby during the healing process. Then, you can bathe him in a sink or in a tub if stump falls off.
Don't ever try to fall off your baby's stump.
Avoid the temptation of falling it off. Likewise, avoid touching it as much as possible.
When to see a doctor?
If you notice the cord develops a bad odor or the surrounding area of it becomes swollen or the skin becomes red, then your baby might have an infection. Call your doctor right away.
Just follow these simple tips and your child's umbilical cord will eventually dry and fall off. Usually, it will take three weeks before it will drop off.
