Newborn Cord Care

I have chosen to speak out to the public through this medium having kept quiet for so long .
The last straw of events happened this weekend, another baby lost to a very preventable death, through needless hot formentation of  the remnant of the baby's cord a means through which, though rare, an infection, a kind that sort of eat up the flesh around the cord occurs , This I must agree is rare occurrence but usually a fatal one.
Before I continue with my rant, may I be permitted to educate us on the universally acceptable means of caring for a newborn umbilical cord remnant.

What is an umbilical cord?
It is a thin rope of fleshy white gelatin that attach a baby to the placenta. It serves as a means of communication between the baby and the placenta (the mother).
It is a passage through which digested food from the mother, oxygen and other essentials of life are passed to the baby. Some of  the baby's wastes are also passed through it to the mother for removal.
A baby is delivered of the mother only when the cord is severed after expulsion of the baby through whatever means Vaginal or abdomen (in case of caesarian cut).
The remnant of the severed cord is clamped (tied) as it contained blood vessels and will bleed out all the baby's blood if left unclamped (not tied). This remnant will naturally degenerate and drop off the baby, usually between day 4 and 7 though may rarely remain intact for longer time (maximum 28days), after which it is considered prolonged (Seek medical attention if it has not dropped after 2 weeks).
It usually will drop without leaving any appreciable wound, but may rarely leave an innocous fleshy outgrowth (Seek medical care if you see this).

Picture of a newborn showing the cord immediately after severance

Why is the need for special care of the cord?

The process that leads to eventual dropping of the cord produces dead tissue that is slightly foul smelling and must be cleansed off.
The dead tissue is a good medium for bacteria infection and other disease causing agents to grow and multiply so we must clean to prevent this.


What are the ways by which we can care for the cord?
1. Normal baby bath twice daily (where necessary) with warm water containing one to two drops of savlon , towel dry after.
2. The remnant of the cord should not be tucked in to the diaper as it may be readily contaminated with baby's urine and stool.
3. The cord can be swabbed with methylated spirit (alcohol swab) 3 to 6 times daily at regular interval, triple dye or bacitracin, if available, may be applied daily.
4. WHO ( World Health Organisation ) recommends application of chlorhexidine  gel (Available in health centres and some pharmacy shops) or savlon cleaning)
5. After the umbilical cord has dropped off, cleaning with methylated spirit should continue for one or two days after which no special care is needed.
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What is fobbiden?

1. Application of cow dung, yes I said cow poo, it is rather a common practice (though has reduced drastically) to see people apply this mess on their baby's cord. This is a dangerous practice as many of such children die of infection and/or tetanus.

2. Hot formentation... This is the cause of my early rant , it is a rampant practise in this part of the world and rather unfortunate  as both the very educated and the uneducated are involved.
What is more disheartening is that this is like a tradition passing from one generation to the other.
We have to stand right and stop this right away( Say no to Cord formentation)
It is cruel as many of these children cry ceaselessly and helplessly while going through this torture
The baby is  a well formed human , no internal wound of any sort that will be healed with your hot formentation, so stop it.

Picture of one of the scores of affected children

Another victim of our gruesome traditional practice

4.Application of mentholatum, Robb or Dustin powder is also very dangerous.

 Anything other than the above mentioned methods of care can be potentially dangerous , ask from babies doctor before you do them.


Yes that you did it for your baby and you got away with it does not make it right.
I may have been hot formented but I (we) am(are) here to stop these barbaric practises .

 We care , God heals.



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