Hey! My Mom-to-Be, now since you are pregnant for a while you must have googled many things and also you must have got many suggestions regarding your pregnancy and how to proceed further. But very few will tell you about the Umbilical Cord of newborns. Yes, you might be thinking that I know what it is. But do you know everything about Umbilical cord? Like what is the purpose, when to detach it, what it gives your newborn baby? Well, yes there is so much to know about Umbilical cord.
Check out the blog to understand some new information about an umbilical cord of newborns-
What is Umbilical Cord?
The umbilical cord is a tube-like structure which gets formed during the 7-month of pregnancy. It carries oxygen and food from mother to baby during pregnancy. Also, the waste produced by a baby is transferred through this umbilical cord to mother, so that she can get rid of it.
Later, when the baby is born doctor’s clamp and cut the cord since the umbilical cord has no nerves neither you nor baby feels a thing. Just a small stump is left on the child’s belly which gets converted into the navel.
You must have seen this stump in all new-born baby. It might look yellow and shiny; after around 10-14 days it comes off by itself after turning brown or blue.
Do you know what Umbilical cord is composed of?
Well, this miraculous and precious umbilical cord is composed of one vein and two arteries.
- The vein helps to provide oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the mother
- The two arteries transport deoxygenated blood and the waste from the baby’s bloodstream to the placenta.
These three blood vessels are held together by a sticky substance, which is covered by a membrane called amnion.
When the baby’s birth is nearby, this umbilical cord transfers some of the antibodies to the baby, to keep them away from any infection.
Later, when the baby is born the umbilical cord is not needed and the child can feed and breathe on its own. Therefore, it is clamped and cut after the delivery.
How To take care of Umbilical Cord of newborns?
After the umbilical cord is stamped and cut, there is a stump left on baby’s stomach, and it is very necessary to take care of it until it becomes dry and falls off on its own.
1. Keep it clean-
As important as the umbilical cord was, the stump is also very important. If you find stump sticky or dirty, it is good if you dab it gently with a clean cloth, do not use soap or any alcohol to clean it as it may irritate the skin. Do not apply much of moisture around the area.
2. Keep it dry-
For the stump to get dry soon you need to expose it to air so that it falls off quickly. During winter days, make sure the cord area is getting enough air, for it to fall down. Also, try to give your baby sponge bath until the stumps fall down so that it does not get infected by being wet.
3. Change diapers very carefully-
Many times while changing diapers, the stump area gets covered which is not good as it needs to be kept in open. So, while changing diapers you need to be really careful, fold down the diaper at the belly button so that it does not cover the stump.
4. No tight-fitting dress-
Avoid tight-fitting clothes in starting, instead buy top, onesies and kimonos which have a cut around the stump, so that no pressure is applied on it and there is proper air circulation.
5. Let it fall on its own-
Never think of pulling or cutting the stump of the umbilical cord, it can result in infection and bleeding. Let the stump dry it off and fall off on its own, it may take around 21 days also, but you need to be patient.
When umbilical cord falls off?
The umbilical cord is living tissue which provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby. It needs little time to fall and dry naturally. When the stump comes off you may see a small raw spot on the navel region, but that is completely normal.
The stump may come off in 15-21 days. If you find that it is taking more time, it is better to see the doctor.
- Immediately after the birth, the cord is allowed to stay for a few minutes so that the nutrients get passed to the baby. The clip is not removed immediately, but it is attached for a few days.
- During the first week of birth, the stump starts to dry off little. It will start turning brown or black and in around 10 days the stump will off on its own.
- The open sore left after the stump falls off, takes about two-four weeks to close completely that will be around 2 months from the birth.
How common is umbilical cord infection?
You must have taken good care of umbilical cord, but you also should know what can be the signs of infection, so that if you see it you can consult a doctor soon.
- Swollen or red around the corner
- Pain in the area
- Foul odour discharge
- Abdominal swelling
- Oozing yellowish pus
- Continuous bleeding
- Fever
- Lethargy, and low appetite
So, above are some of the things you should know about umbilical cord. How did you take care of your baby’s umbilical cord?
FAQ
1. What is Umbilical Granuloma?
Umbilical Granuloma is a moist, pinkish-red lump of tissue which gets formed on the belly button. It is not painful, but still, you can see a fluid discharge which causes redness and irritation in the area.
You should consult a doctor in this case. He can treat it, which will be painless.
2. Is Umbilical Cord Bleeding normal?
Umbilical cord bleeding is normal if it is just little. Sometimes, when the stump falls off the baby’s belly button bleeds. If you see blood even when the stump is there. It is good to clean the area carefully and press the stump a little to stop the bleeding.
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