Knowing what to expect can ease the anxieties
that every new parent feels when it comes to a newborns cord care. Here is some
information of what to expect in the first weeks of life. Most newborns will have some oozing from the
navel before and after the cord falls off. Blood may be noticeable after a
diaper change and oozing can go on for one to two weeks. Some natural accidental tugging may occur and
the cord may fall off right away. There will be some oozing after the cord falls
off. This is completely normal.
The
Juju Band is one solution to caring for the
cord during this period. Wrap the Juju Band around the navel area loosely so
that diapers do not rub against the navel cord. This will ease the rubbing that
occurs with diapers. Fold the diaper down so that it does not cover the
band. The Juju
Band should be applied before diaper changing so that there is no possibility
of baby’s wetness getting on the area. This is especially important for boys!
If there is noticeable dripping or a pool of
blood, wipe it away with a baby washcloth or tissue. Keep the tissue over the navel. Alternately,
you can use a piece of gauze. Next, wrap the
Juju Band around the tummy making it snug, but not tight and wait for
approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Take the Juju Band off and check the navel area
every hour. You may see some dry blood and the drainage will eventually
stop. If there appears to be excessive
drainage, call your pediatrician for assistance. If the cord has become infected the drainage
will have a foul odor and the skin around the cord will appear swollen and
red. If the baby has a fever over 101
then call the doctor immediately.
No comments:
Post a Comment