Taking Care Of Your Newborn's Umbilical Cord

Although it may be scary for a first time mom, the stump is nothing to worry about.

- Athabile Mrasi

THE most stressful thing new mothers go through when their babies are born is the umbilical cord stump. There are a lot of myths around this, which frighten first time mothers more. Some people say the cord needs to be cut if the baby needs help breathing, while others believe that cleaning the umbilical cord stump with alcohol at every diaper change will fasten the healing.

DIFFERENT THEORY 

Lynn Bluff, who is a registered nurse and midwife and childbirth educator, has a different theory when it comes to cleaning your newborn’s umbilical cord stump. 

“To clean your baby’s umbilical cord, you can apply surgical spirits to an ear bud or piece of cotton wool. Another option is to use clean water. The most important area to clean is where the cord is attached to the baby’s tummy,” she says.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAL? 

Lynn says parents should not worry when they see blood on the diaper when the umbilical cord stump has fallen off