TAKE CARE FOR NEW BABY UMBILICAL CORD
Baby's lifeline to the mother during pregnancy is call umbilical cord. When
the baby already just born, the umbilical cord is no longer needed anymore.
After a few minutes of birth, the cord is clomped and cut close the navel. The
clamp is use to stop the bleeding from the three blood vessels in the umbilical
cord, two arteries and one vein. Doctor will give the medication to the cord
for part of baby first care. Usually a purple dye or some kind of antiseptic.
After some time when the baby go back from hospital to home, the cord will
dry and wither. When the cord is completely dru, the clamp can be removed from
the baby. After several weeks (usually 2 or 3 weeks) the cord will fall of by
itself. It is very important to take care the baby umbilical cord properly,
because this is the place to enter for infection the baby.
How to Take Care Baby's Umbilical Cord?
Your doctor or baby's physician will give the instructions about how to keep
the cord clean and safe. Alcohol is often used when diaper is change. Some recommedation
is using plain water, or just allowing the cord to air dry.
You should keep the cord outside of the baby's diaper. Some kind of newborn
size diapers have some cut-outs for the cord area, but it could also fold down
the top edge of the diaper. You should call your baby's physician or doctor
if there is:
- Bleeding from the end of the cord or the area near the skin
- Pus (a yellow or white discharge)
- Swelling or redness around the navel
- Signs that the navel area is painful to your baby
When the cord falls off by it self, maybe there are some small about of blood,
but don't worry, because this could stop quickly. Remember, do not and never
try to pull the cord off, it will done buy it self when it ready. Usually the
parents are concerned about a baby's navel being "innie" or "outie".
There is no way for predict this or make the navel look one way or another.
Some babies may have umbilical hernia, this is a weakness in the abdominal muscles.
This can be checked by your baby's physician or your doctor to see if treatment
is necessary.
Some babies may have a weakness in the abdominal muscles called an umbilical
hernia. This can be checked by your baby's physician to see if treatment is
necessary.
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