How to Expertly Care for Your Newborn's Umbilical Cord Stump

You can do it! Keeping your newborn's umbilical cord stump clean and dry can be a challenge. Follow these simple steps to prevent infection, support cord healing and have a healthy happy baby!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Diaper and diaper supplies
• Cotton swabs-5 or more
• Alcohol/alcohol wipes
• 2/3 ounce disposable bathroom cup

1. Assemble all of your diaper changing and umbilical cord cleaning supplies so they are within reach.
   Key note: Cleaning the cord does not cause pain, hurt or harm your baby.

2. Place your newborn on his/her back on a firm surface such as changing table or the bed will work.

3. Remove/change diaper especially if it is dirty. When you replace the diaper, tuck the diaper so it does NOT cover the umbilical cord stump. Baby boys, especially, can soak the front of the diaper and if the diaper is covering the stump it will get wet. Wet umbilical cord stump can lead to bleeding, drainage or infection.

4. Pour a small amount of alcohol in a disposable 2-3oz bathroom cup. You can use this alcohol to dip your the Cotton swab into.
   Note: You will throw away the cup of alcohol and Cotton swabs after each cleaning so only pour a small amount.

5. Grasp the umbilical cord stump gently between your thumb and pointer finger, but firmly and pull the cord upward Gently. The baby may squirm, but this does not hurt him.
   Pulling the cord up gently, ensures that you clean down where the cord attaches to the baby. (This is where the germs like to live)

6. With the other hand, take the alcohol soaked cotton swab (while gently tugging on the umbilical cord stump) and gently Rub the alcohol on all parts of the cord. This may take several Cotton swabs to complete.
   If you have alcohol wipes, you may use them to clean the cord as well.

7. Yippie! Your newborn's cord is now clean. Dress your baby and place him/her in their bed or infant seat securely and discard your cleaning supplies. Very important step if you have other children in the house as they may mistakenly drink from the cup with the alcohol.

8. You will want to clean your newborn's cord with each diaper change and sponge bath. Once the cord falls off and the umbilical area is without any drainage, you can then give you baby a tub/sink bath.

Tips & Warnings

• You do not want to get the umbilical cord stump wet during bathing. So until it falls of you will only want to sponge bathe your baby.
• Tucking the diaper below the umbilical cord stump will also decrease the irritation on the stump that may cause it to bleed.
• Some hospitals use a colored die on the newborn's cord in the hospital. Do not be alarmed if a purple or black are on your Cotton swab when cleaning. If the purple coloring has gotten on your baby's tummy it will come off after several sponge baths.
• Do not leave your baby alone on the bed or changing table. If you need to get supplies, take your baby with you. Even at this very young age, newborn's is unpredictable and can roll off onto the floor and be injured.
• Do not stick a used Cotton swab into the original bottle of alcohol or you will be contaminating the entire bottle
• Call your doctor if you notice any Odor to the umbilical cord stump or an increase in the drainage.
• You will also want to call your doctor if you baby runs a fever >99 or a low temperature <97.3 and your baby is very fussy or is hard to wake up.

[taskeinc]

on 4/6/2009 Needed this article about 13 years ago ..