Taking Care Of An Umbilical Stump

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When a baby is born, the first thing a mother will check is whether the little one is a boy or a girl. The joy of being a mother encapsulates one's surrounding and only when the new mother comes home, she tends to spot the umbilical stump in the baby. In cases where the umbilical stump is clearly seen on the newborn, steps to look after and care for it until it falls off is important. It is also essential to make sure that the umbilical stump doesn't get infected. So, to prevent infections of the umbilical stump, cleanliness is the key for new mothers.

MONSOON CARE FOR NEWBORN BABIES

The tips on looking after umbilical stump are mentioned below. To speed up the healing process, simple tips such as cleaning it post the baby's bath and wiping it dry are helpful. According to experts, once the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and the stump is clamped. At the hospital itself, nurses clean and apply an antiseptic liquid to the cord. This liquid is to reduce the chances of infection.

If you are a new mother, you should know that the umbilical stumps will dry up, turn black and fall off within five to 15 days after your baby's birth. However, you should be careful during the monsoon season. Due to the humidity, the baby's stump may take longer to dry, heal and fall off.

Here are some of the ways to look after the newborn's umbilical cord:

Weather conditions
The healing of the umbilical stump also depends on the weather. When the weather is humid and wet, it will encourage the growth of fungi and bacteria in the stump. This makes your baby susceptible to infections.

For The Mother
It is vital to wash your hands before and after cleaning your baby's stump. To avoid any infection in the stump, mothers should make sure her hands are clinically clean.

Diaper Change
Change your baby's diaper or nappy as soon as she wets or soils it. This umbilical stump care will ensure that no infection is being carried to the delicate area.

Covering It Up
Never cover up the stump with a diaper. You need to fold the diaper down or cut a hole in the diaper to let the stump jut out. By doing this, the newborn's stump will not get moist.

Types Of Clothing
The best way to look after your baby's umbilical stump is to dress your baby in loose cotton clothes to prevent the little one from sweating. If sweat is trapped in and around the stump, it will create moisture which can lead to infection.

When It Falls Off
This is an important tip for umbilical stump. Keep the area clean and dry at all times after the umbilical stump has fallen off since the area will feel tender to touch.