4 Precautions to Follow, regarding Umbilical Stump of Newborn Baby

Umbilical cord is only mode of transport of nutrition, inside womb of pregnant woman to baby. It is very important inside womb of pregnant mother. But, outside womb after delivery, baby does not need it. This is because, outside womb, baby receives nutrition from mother through breastfeed. That is why, it is detached from baby immediately after birth. That forms umbilical stump. Special precautions should be followed, while handling umbilical stump of newborn baby. For example, 1st precaution is, water should not come in touch with umbilical stump to avoid infection. Like that there are around 4 precautions that you need to follow regarding, umbilical stump of newborn baby. Let’s discuss each of them in detail.

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Umbilical stump falls on its own, within 3 week. Until then, it heals on its own to form umbilicus. Till then special precautions should be followed, for its complete healing. Veins and arteries in umbilical stump, forms umbilical ligaments in future.

4 Precautions to follow regarding, Umbilical Stump of Newborn baby-

1) Do not pull off umbilical stump-

Umbilical stump fall on its own within 3 weeks by natural process. Do not pull it off on its own. That will cause incomplete healing and deep wound in umbilical stump area.

2) No water bath should be given, until umbilical stump falls off-

The reason being that will cause infection. To avoid infection of umbilical wound, after umbilical stump falls off, direct water contact should be avoided with it. That is, why direct water bath should be avoided.

3) Sponge bath is given, until umbilical stump fall off and heal-

Until umbilical stump falls and umbilical wound completely heal, till then only sponge bath is given.

• In sponge bath, 1st coconut oil massage is given to newborn baby. 
• After that newborn baby is wiped with wet cotton swabs. 
• Wet cotton swabs should be made in lukewarm water. 
• But, during sponge bath no oil massage and no wiping of umbilical stump area is done. It should be left untouched, for complete healing of that area. Whether umbilical stump is there or it has fallen off, that area should be left untouched. This is to avoid infection of that area for fast healing of that area.

4) Diaper should not rub on umbilical stump-

This is to avoid friction caused between diaper and umbilical stump area. That friction increase chances of abrasions of umbilical stump area.

• If faecal material of baby, in diaper come in contact with umbilical stump area, that causes sepsis in newborn baby. Low immunity of newborn baby can’t handle sepsis. That increases chances of death from sepsis.  

So, that was all regarding 4 precautions to follow, regarding how to handle, umbilical stump of newborn baby.