Aa
Umbilical cord care
For those of you who have recently had babies or had babies in the past...how do you handle umbilical cord care? I know some people say it's not necessary to do the alcohol and it's also ok to get it wet during baths. I've always done the alcohol becuase thats what I've always been told. My first 3 their stumps fell off by 2-3 weeks. With Gabe his took a month and I had to take him to the doctor to have the stuff that freezes it off done. Lily is now 2 1/2 weeks old, I've done the alcohol, just not frequently...maybe once a day or so. Her stump is still only half way ready, the other half in the middle still looks like a regular umbilical cord.
So...what care have you used and has the stump come off yet? What does your ped recommend?
So...what care have you used and has the stump come off yet? What does your ped recommend?
Well strangely enough, even though it appeared it was still attached really well....it fell off sometime last night. I went to change her this morning, opened her sleeper and DS6 immediately gasped and said "where's her thingy?" at that point I realized her stump was no longer there. She does still have some hard crusty like stuff on the belly button but it's not black like the stump, there's no evidence of infection or any open areas so I'l just gonna watch it and see how it does.
You could try going to the health food store and get some Goldenseal root. All you have to do is break open the capsule and put the Goldenseal powder on the stump and it should dry it quickly.
With my first 2 I did the alcohol on them..With the last one they told me to not do alcohol everyday, just every other or so..They also said DO NOT bathe them in the tub until it falls off, only sponge bathe...The best trick is to keep it dry...Also, at the hospital with my last they put this dye looking stuff it was purple/blue/black color on it, and that dried it out..It fell off on its own within 2 weeks...I know this sounds really silly, seeing as how you are not a first time mom, but, do you keep the diaper down below it, so it doesnt get it moist? I hope this all helps
I never used anything on the 2 older boys. My oldest son's cord stump took about a month to dry up and fall off, I didn't do anything to help it along....except sponge baths and never got it wet. My middle son was the same way, but after 2 weeks it got infected really bad, smelled nasty and had green ooze coming from it. I started using alcohol and within another 3 weeks after the infection cleared up it finally fell off. With my youngest son, I used the alcohol from day 1 at home. I gave him normal baths, but made sure I used the alcohol directly afterwards and a hair dryer on the cool setting to make sure it dried really good. The alcohol actually helps dry it out a lot faster, and I plan on using the alcohol with Kora as well.
silver nitrate is not good to use! they used to put that in their eye ointment but it hasseverre side effects! can not even believe a ped is still usin it! There is no harm in it staying on, no baths till it is healed but leave it alone and let nature take its course. Sage, lavender and something else are thigs to help it dry up but really no harm for it being there! they do not use alcohol any more as it is part of the baby and only shown to dry the cord making it fall off sooner then it was supposed to leaving the belly button open to infection and germs. if you leave it alone the belly button should be closed and healed hen it does fall off.
I always used alcohol and never got it wet! My baby will be 4wks tomorrow and his fell off the day he turned a week.
I didnt do anything as well, just kept it dry, and Coles fell off about 2 weeks, if not less.
Hmm...the hospital I had Elijah at must have been out of the loop on umbilical cord care...no one told me anything, I just kept it dry and didn't get it wet...his fell off within the first two weeks.
I, with all 3 boys used the alcohol wipes. Like you said its not "necessary" anymore but I do believe it helps it to heal and to fall off... I would think if she had a larger cord maybe thats why its taking a lil longer...
With my first Hers fell off within like 2 wks.... And i was "told" not to use anything on it just keep it dry.... But when it fell off they had to use silver nitrate on it... and she screamed, so next baby I will do alcohol and qtip every diaper change. Id rather do the work rather then baby be in pain... my poor first child, if only i had known..
I did the cotton swab and alcohol with all 3 of my kids. My 11 week olds fell off when he was about 3-4 weeks. But now, he has a hernia. His also bled a few days before it was to come off. I was worried, but I asked his dr and he said it's normal and to not worry about it. He said that when they're at that point, the stump is like a scab and it can sometimes bleed if it's bumped.
The alcohol is to dry it quicker and to prevent any infections.
The alcohol is to dry it quicker and to prevent any infections.
Well if Lily's hasn't done anything by next week I'll schedule an appt to get the silver nitrate. It must be somethign about the way they handle umbilical cords at the hospital here. My first three kids, theirs fell off by 2 weeks or so but the two I delivered at this hospital - well Gabe's took a month and Lily is 2 1/2 weeks and hers isn't ready either.
in my infant care class they are leaning away from the alcohol now and said the best way is just to keep it dry. Lilys just fell off yesterday!
I left mine babies alone till it was half ready to fall off. When it started to bleed her ped told me to use alcohol on it three times a day. It fell off the next day when she was a week old. It didn't fully heal till she was a little over two weeks old though.
I never used alcohol with either of my kids and it was sponge bath only till it fell off. My doctor told me it is the babies own biology which determines when the stump will come off. My sons was at 2 weeks, my daughters fell off at 1 week old.
All i did was alcohol but my pedi. said not to get it wet as in a full bath until it fell off. With my first son it fell off no problem my second son the dr had to do silver nitrate on it to get it to do what it was supposed to do. As long as it doesnt smell or look red just keep doing the alcohol. Good luck
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy Community
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.
