CORD CARE


By:
Abella, Wenalyn Grace Z.
 CORD CARE

 Is the series of steps applied in handling of the
umbilical cord after delivery of the new born.
 Importance of cord care


 Cord care helps prevent infection around your
baby's cord stump. Very rarely, these infections can
enter your baby's body and cause severe or even life-
threatening disease.
 How to care of the
baby’s
 cord?
 Wash your hands. 
 Clean the cord stump. 
 Use rubbing alcohol or water.
 Clean urine or bowel movement off the stump. 
 Let the cord air dry. 
 Dress your baby in loose clothing. 
 Do not pull or tug at the cord stump. 
 Do not cover the cord stump. 
 Signs of infection


Foul-smelling, yellow drainage from the stump
Redness, swelling, or tenderness of the skin
around the stump
Be aware of signs of a more serious infection.
Contact your baby's health care provider
immediately if your baby has:
Poor feeding
Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Lethargy
Floppy, poor muscle tone
 
 If the cord stump is pulled off too soon, it could start actively bleeding,
meaning every time you wipe away a drop of blood, another drop
appears. If the cord stump continues to bleed, call your baby's provider
immediately.

 Sometimes, instead of completely drying, the cord will form pink scar
tissue called a granuloma. The granuloma drains a light-yellowish
fluid. This will most often go away in about a week. If it does not, call
your baby's provider.

 If your baby's stump has not fallen off in 4 weeks (and more likely
much sooner), call you baby's provider. There may be a problem with
the baby's anatomy or immune system.