Its purpose
Babies receive nourishment and oxygen in the womb through the placenta, which is connected to the inner wall of the mother's uterus.
The placenta is connected to the baby by the umbilical cord through an opening in the baby's stomach.
After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut close to the body in a painless procedure, leaving an umbilical stump.
How long does the stump last?
Within 10 to 21 days, the stump dries up and drop off, leaving a small wound that may take a few days to heal.
Treatment of stump
It must be kept clean and dry. Keep baby's nappy folded below the stump so it's exposed to the air and not to urine (when the stump falls off, you may detect a little blood on the nappy, which is normal).
While waiting for the cord to heal, avoid tub baths until the area heals over completely, usually about seven to ten days after the stump falls off.
In warm weather, keep baby only in a nappy and a T-shirt to let air circulate and aid the drying process.
Avoid one-piece undershirts until the cord has fallen off.
Sometimes, when the umbilical stump takes a long time to heal, bits of lumpy flesh, a type of connective tissue, appear in the wound. It's not a cause for concern and will soon disappear. T
To prevent infection, healthcare practitioners have long recommended cleaning off the base of the stump with a cotton swab or gauze pad dipped in a little bit of rubbing alcohol.
Recent studies suggest however, that leaving well enough alone actually may help the cord heal faster.
Some researchers pose that alcohol kills all the bacteria, even the good kind that helps the cord dry up
and fall off.
Already, some hospitals have begun telling new parents to abandon the alcohol swabbing practice. If you are unsure how to proceed, talk to your child's pediatrician.
Signs of infection
Consult your healthcare provider if:
- your child develops a fever or appears unwell
- the navel and the surrounding area become swollen or red
- pus appears at the base of the stump.
- Staff doctor