Bengaluru, 30 April 2025: The umbilical cord serves as a crucial connection between a mother and her baby during pregnancy, supplying essential nutrients and oxygen. After birth, once the cord is clamped and cut, a small stump remains attached to the newborn’s navel. Proper care of this stump is vital to prevent infection and ensure healthy healing.
Typically, the umbilical cord stump dries out, darkens, and naturally detaches within one to three weeks post-birth. During this period, maintaining cleanliness and dryness is essential to minimize infection risks. Parents and caregivers should vigilantly observe the stump for any signs of complications.
Tips for Proper Umbilical Cord Care
1. Keep It Dry: Ensure the stump remains dry to promote effective healing. Expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. Keep the front of your baby’s diaper folded down, so it doesn’t cover the stump.
2. Opt for Sponge Baths: Until the stump naturally detaches, give your newborn sponge baths instead of full immersions. This approach helps keep the stump dry.
3. Gentle Cleaning: If the stump becomes soiled, clean it with a soft cloth dampened with plain water. Avoid using alcohol or harsh antiseptics unless specifically directed by a pediatrician, as they can delay the healing process.
4. Avoid Interference: Refrain from pulling or tugging at the stump, even if it appears to be loosening. Allow it to detach naturally to prevent injury or infection.
5. Minimize Irritation: Dress your baby in loose-fitting, soft cotton clothing to prevent irritation. Ensure that diapers do not rub against the stump; folding the diaper below the stump can help avoid friction.
Precautions to Prevent Infection
Monitor for Signs of Infection: Be attentive to symptoms such as increased redness, swelling, a foul-smelling discharge, or excessive bleeding around the stump. A fever in your newborn may also signal an infection. If any of these signs are present, contact your pediatrician promptly. Maintain Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby or the umbilical cord area to reduce the risk of introducing harmful bacteria.
Avoid Applying Substances: Do not use powders, oils, or ointments on the stump unless prescribed by a healthcare professional, as they may hinder healing or promote bacterial growth.
Dr. Leenatha Reddy, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Kinder Women’s Hospital, Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of proper cord care, “Ensuring proper care of a newborn’s umbilical cord is essential to prevent infections, which are a significant cause of neonatal mortality in our country. Ensuring the cord remains clean and dry until it naturally detaches can greatly reduce the risk of serious complications.”
When to Seek Medical Advice- While slight bleeding when the stump falls off is normal, persistent or heavy bleeding, continuous redness, or pus-like discharge necessitates medical attention. In rare instances, a serious infection called omphalitis can develop, requiring immediate treatment. If the stump hasn’t detached within three weeks or if you observe signs of infection, consult your pediatrician without delay.
Post-detachment, continue to keep the navel area clean and dry. It’s common to notice slight scabbing or minor bleeding, which typically resolves on its own. However, if the area becomes inflamed or discharges fluid, seek medical advice promptly.
Dr Sampath Kumar Shettigar, Senior Consultant, Pediatric & Neonatologist, Kinder Hospitals, Bangalore, highlighted the potential complications from inadequate care. “The infected cord and umbilical area can become red and swollen, ooze pus or infection, which may spread to the body through the blood,” he said. “Caring for a newborn’s umbilical cord may seem daunting, but with proper guidance, it becomes a manageable task,” he added.
When uncertain, always consult your healthcare provider for advice, keeping your baby’s health and safety as the foremost priority.
