Cord Care

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• The umbilical (um-BIL-i-kal) cord connects your baby to the placenta. The placenta is an organ that supplies your baby with nutrition and blood while you are pregnant. When your baby is born, your baby no longer needs the placenta or umbilical cord. When your baby is born, your baby's caregiver will cut the umbilical cord. A small part of the umbilical cord (stump) will stay on your baby for a short period of time.
  
  
• The stump will usually fall off in 6 to 8 days after birth. This area will usually completely heal within 2 weeks. Do not worry if your baby's stump falls off sooner or takes longer than 6 to 8 days. The stump may be blue because of a dye your baby's caregiver put on it to prevent infection.

Care: Your baby's stump should be kept clean and dry until it falls off. If it is not kept clean this area can become infected. Always follow your baby's caregiver's instructions on how to clean the stump and area around it.

• You should clean your baby's stump every time you give your baby a bath. You should sponge bathe your baby instead of tub bathing until the stump falls off. Gently wash the stump and around it with soap and water on a sponge or cloth. Gently dry the area when you are done with the sponge bath. Be sure the area is completely dry.
  
  
• Some caregivers may suggest using alcohol and a cotton swab to clean your baby's umbilical cord. Other caregivers may suggest letting the cord air-dry instead of using alcohol. Ask your caregiver how you should care for your baby's umbilical cord.
  
  
• Do not put any medicine on or around the stump unless your child's caregiver says it is okay. When you put a new diaper on, keep the front of the diaper folded below the cord. This will prevent wetness and the diaper from rubbing on the stump. When the stump is starting to fall off, you may see a few drops of blood on the diaper. You may also see some drops of blood around the stump. Do not worry. This is normal.
  
  
• You should watch for signs of infection and call your child's caregiver if you notice any of the following:
  
  
  • Pus (yellow or green discharge) or red skin around the base of the stump.
    
    
  • The cord has a bad smell to it even after you clean it.
  
  
• Once the cord falls off, no special care of the area (belly button) is needed.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about umbilical cord care. You can then discuss choices with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what choices may be best for your child.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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