Newborn Umbilical Cord Care: Best Practices & WHO Recommendations. Dr. Narmin Azizova

0-6 ay Xəbərlər Yenidoğulan körpəm
19 Fevral 2025

Newborn Umbilical Cord Care: Best Practices & WHO Recommendations

Dr. Narmin Azizova
Neonatologist, Department of Neonatal Resuscitation and Intensive Therapy, Scientific Research Institute of Pediatrics named after K.Y. Farajova; Department of Pediatrics I, Azerbaijan Medical University; Founder, Pediatriya.az

After birth, the doctor cuts the baby’s umbilical cord and secures it with a clamp. The remaining 1 cm of the cord typically dries and falls off within 7 to 21 days. During this period, proper umbilical cord care is essential to prevent infections.

Best practices for umbilical cord care

  • Use an antiseptic: Clean the umbilical stump four times a day with an antiseptic solution recommended by your doctor (e.g., 70% alcohol or chlorhexidine);
  • Proper hand hygiene: Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching the baby’s umbilical area;
  • Cleaning technique: Apply the antiseptic solution to a sterile gauze or cotton pad, then gently clean the stump from the inside out. Allow it to dry completely before covering the baby;
  • Diaper positioning: Ensure the diaper is fastened below the umbilical cord stump to keep it dry and prevent contact with urine or feces.

What to avoid

  • Do not cover the umbilical cord with a bandage or cloth;
  • Avoid pulling off the cord stump — it should fall off naturally;
  • Do not apply oils, powders, or herbal remedies to the area.

When to See a doctor?

Seek medical attention if you notice:

  • Redness, swelling, or warmth around the umbilical area;
  • Foul-smelling discharge or pus;
  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop;
  • Fever or excessive crying, which may indicate an infection;
  • The umbilical stump hasn’t fallen off after 21 days.

World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations

The WHO strongly advises against using any traditional substances on the umbilical stump. Instead, in settings with high infection risks, the use of chlorhexidine (4% solution) is recommended for at least the first week of life. Studies have shown that chlorhexidine reduces neonatal infections by up to 75% in developing countries.

Statistics on umbilical cord infections

  • Omphalitis (umbilical cord infection) occurs in 0.7% of newborns in developed countries but is significantly higher in low-resource settings;
  • Neonatal sepsis, often linked to poor umbilical cord hygiene, contributes to 15% of newborn deaths worldwide;
  • Proper umbilical care and antiseptic use have been shown to reduce neonatal mortality by up to 23% in certain regions.

By following these recommendations, you can help ensure a safe and infection-free healing process for your baby’s umbilical cord.