How to care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump
Your newborn’s umbilical cord stump is one of the most vulnerable parts of their little body. Here’s exactly how to ensure it heals properly.
First-time parents may be surprised to learn that interaction with your baby’s umbilical cord does not abruptly end in the delivery room. The umbilical stump that’s left behind may take weeks to fall off, so it’s important to know how to care for it at home. Here are some key recommendations, as laid out in the South African Neonatal Skin-Care Guidelines.
Practise good hygiene
Be careful to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your baby’s umbilical stump. It can be a pathway for germs to enter the baby’s body, putting them at risk of sepsis.
Keep the umbilical stump clean and dry
While the umbilical stump can get wet at bath time, you may prefer to stick with sponge baths for the first few weeks. If clean water is not available, you can use a Chlorexidine antiseptic (ask your pharmacist) on the stump itself, gently dabbing it with a cotton bud.
Don’t cover the umbilical stump with a nappy
Leave the umbilical stump exposed to the air or just loosely covered with clean clothes, but don’t let the nappy cover it. This is to prevent it getting contaminated by urine or faeces, which could lead to infection. Fold the nappy down so that it sits under the stump.
Wash carefully
Of course, newborns don’t always keep their number ones and twos in their nappies, as new parents know only too well. After each nappy change, use cooled-down boiled water to clean the umbilical stump very gently. If some urine or faeces reaches the stump despite your best efforts, again, clean the area with soap and water that has been boiled and allowed to cool, then dry it thoroughly with disposable gauze. Don’t routinely clean the stump with surgical spirits as it may kill the good bacteria that help the stump dry and separate.
Learn to spot signs of infection
It’s normal for the umbilical stump to look moist and gelatinous. However, if the stump becomes red, swollen or is weeping a smelly, pussy fluid, this could be a sign of infection. Your baby may also be feverish, lethargic and may not want to feed. If you notice any of these signs or suspect the umbilical stump may be infected, visit your healthcare provider or nearest Clicks Baby Clinic to get it checked out.
Don’t pull on the umbilical stump
As the umbilical stump dries, it will change colour from yellowish green to brown and then black, before eventually falling off. This can take days or weeks, but it’s important that you allow it to happen naturally. Don’t apply any natural or chemical products to “dry out” the stump and also don’t try to lubricate the umbilical stump with lotions or oils. If the stump has not separated naturally after three weeks, consult your healthcare provider.
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