"When your baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and there is a stump left. The stump should dry and fall off by the time your baby is 5 to 15 days old. Keep the stump clean with gauze and water only. Sponge bathe the rest of your baby, as well."Source
During the intrauterine life (in the womb), the umbilical cord connects the baby to the mother through the placenta.
The fetus does not breathe nor eat, so the requirements for it to survive are from the mother via the placenta.
The cord is cut immediately the baby is born to separate the baby from the mother. Here, the baby can now breathe and eat (breastfeed) and therefore do not need to depend on the mother for nutrient directly.
The little remaining part of the cord, left on the baby is called the umbilical cord stump.
FACTS ABOUT THE UMBILICAL STUMP
1- The stump has one great artery and two veins therefore, bleeding to death can occur through it if not observed.
2- Infection from the environment can move directly into the blood stream through the umbilical stump. It is an open passage for most infection in neonates
3- The signs of infection to the stump include abnormal smell, swelling, redness, yellowish discharge etc
4- When this signs and symptoms are noticed, the baby should be taken to the hospital for proper management.
5- Inappropriate care of umbilical stump is the major cause of infection in neonates and it leads to a significant percentage of death.
6- It heals up spontaneously after birth without the need of any need for significant medications or man-made intervention and so on
i- Do not pull the stump, this can cause scarring and delay healing of the stump
ii- Do not use dangerous substances on the stump like hot water, lantern burnt, charcoal, etc.
iii- Clean the stump gently with water and a soft cotton pad.
iv- Dry the stump with another cotton pad (a dry one this time).
v- Apply 4% chlorhexidine gel to the base and sorroundings (use of methylated spirit is an alternative with caution due to the smell)
vi- Ensure the stump is outside the diaper, not inside.
vii- Avoid provocating the umbilical stump to avoid trauma, delayed healing response or risk exposing the infant to contagious infections and so on.
Applying this steps appropriately, the cord should dry and fall off within 1-2 weeks and that will form the belly button
That's all as regards this brief post on umbilical stump caring and management and happy reading.
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Video from NHS YouTuber