After you give birth, doctors clamp and cut the cord. It has no nerves, so neither you nor your baby will feel anything. A small stump will be left on your child’s belly. It can be anywhere from a 1.5 cm to 2.5cm long.
A newborn's umbilical cord stump typically falls off within about two weeks after birth. In the meantime, treat your baby's umbilical cord stump gently. Do not be impatient about when it will fall off.
TAKING CARE OF THE STUMP
Your baby's umbilical cord stump dries out and eventually falls off usually within one to two weeks after birth. In the meantime, treat the area gently:
* Keep the stump dry: Parents were once instructed to swab the stump with rubbing alcohol after every diaper change. Researchers now say this might kill bacteria that can help the cord dry and separate. Instead, expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. Keep the front of your baby's diaper folded down to avoid covering the stump. Just use warm clean water to clean it and keep it exposed.
* Stick with sponge baths: While there's no harm in getting the stump wet, sponge baths might make it easier to keep the stump dry.
* Let the stump fall off on its own: Resist the temptation to pull off the stump yourself.
SIGNS OF AN INFECTION
•Base appears red or swollen
•Continues to bleed
•Oozes yellowish or white pus
•Produces a foul smelling discharge
•Seems painful to your baby
•The baby has a fever (high temperature)
Signs of infection of the umbilical cord stump can result in omphalitis (a life-threatening infection of the umbilical cord). This is considered a serious condition and needs to be treated immediately.
Remember the cord stump has no nerves so the baby does not feel any pain when you clean it.
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