3 Simple Tips for Caring For Your Newborn's Cord

A newborn baby's umbilical cord stump can look intimidating at first glance, but there's no need to get worried. Anybody can care for baby's cord stump with some simple instructions. Here are three tips for making sure your baby's cord is clean, comfortable, and healing well.

Keep Things Away

You want to keep things away from your baby's cord stump. It's not the end of the world if a diaper or outfit brushes your baby's cord. Don't get too worried about it. But as a general rule, you want to keep pressure off of the cord stump while it's healing. A diaper pushing against it could get irritating or cause a few drops of blood to come from the cord site. Though this isn't a bad thing, it's not as easy to clean up and may bother your baby when you go to remove dried blood.

Most newborn sized diapers have a convenient cutout to go around the site of the baby's cord stump. Be sure you line these up so they're directly under the cord stump and your baby is protected from having the diaper rub and chafe up against it. Many newborn sized cloth diapers have the same cutout.

If you're using larger, size 1 diapers or if you're using prefold or one-size cloth diapers you won't have this cutout. This is still okay. Just fold down the diaper so that it's out of the way of your baby's cord. You can situate the diaper a little higher on your baby's back to make it a little lower in the front, too. Newborns tend to leak out of the back of a diaper (if it's going to leak) anyways! If you have a little boy be sure you point his penis downwards as you're diapering so he doesn't spray upwards towards the belly button site.

Dress your baby in comfortable cotton clothing. Kimono shirts and gowns are ideal for the first few days as the cord site is healing.

Keep Your Baby's Cord Area Clean

You'll want to clean around your baby's cord area regularly. You can check it at each diaper change to see how it's doing. Look for signs of puss and bleeding.

A little discharge and a few drops of blood are completely normal and part of the healing process. If your baby's cord smells strongly you should call your baby's doctor or your midwife.

The cord will heal just fine most of the time. Use a little water on a cotton ball to gently swab around the edges of the cord and the newly forming belly button. I like to use purified water for this rather than tap water. Keep a little jug next to your baby's changing area.

You can also use alcohol (purchased at the drug store) to swab around your baby's cord. Some doctors recommend this and some parents feel it helps the cord dry out more quickly. Others say that water works just as well. I've used water with my five babies.

The Healing Process

Your baby's cord will heal fine with regular swabs to keep it clean. Gentle swabbing will help prevent any bleeding, but again, a few drops of blood is nothing to get too worried about.

Some moms prefer to use an herbal powder around the site of the cord. Goldenseal powder, either by itself or in a cord care formula, can help speed healing and the drying of your baby's umbilical cord site. Many midwives recommend this.

You can expect your baby's cord to fall off within one to two weeks after birth. It may fall off as you clean it, or it may fall off inside your baby's clothing at some point.

If your baby's cord does not seem to be healing well, go see your baby's doctor. Persistent droplets of blood can usually be remedied by having your doctor apply a touch of silver nitrate to the umbilical cord site. It's a quick and easy procedure. Most babies won't need this, but if you're worried know that it's a simple solution.

By the way, do you want to get more practical baby care information that will give you keys to a smarter, happier baby while building a strong bond with your little one?

If so, download my free guide: How to Have a Smarter, Happier Baby

 

Best Baby Sling for Newborns

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AppId is over the quota

There are so many proven benefits associated with baby carrying, including happier babies and mothers (or fathers), quicker infant development, less crying, and closer attachments between babies and their caregivers. It is no wonder baby carrying, and of course infant slings, have gained so much popularity in the last decade. It is important for parents to understand the benefits associated with baby carrying, and it's even more important for parents to do their homework to determine the best baby sling for their baby. This is particularly important when your baby is a newborn because there have been some slight risks associated with carrying babies under 4 months old in a sling. The following are some of the best baby slings for newborns, and tips to carrying them safely.

Fabric slings are a fantastic option for newborns because it allows them to be carried tummy to tummy, kangaroo style, or in a cradled position for the youngest of babies. Fabric slings are adjustable to accommodate smaller babies, and they come in different styles and tons of options. Fabric slings come in many different styles including ring style, pouch style, and wrap style. The best style for newborns is any style that allows the carrier to see the baby's face at all times to ensure the safest possible sling for the smallest babies.

Ring slings are one of the most popular styles for newborns, especially if they are breastfed because these slings allow the baby to be carried upright or in a reclined position. Ring style slings are completely adjustable to accommodate the size of the carrier and the size of the baby and therefore your baby can be positioned exactly where you want them to be. This is safer for newborns because it allows you to position them so their face is up and out, minimizing risk of suffocation. Ring slings can be used for larger babies and toddlers as well, so they grow with your baby.

Pouch style slings are one of the most simple slings on the market. They are a fabric sling worn over the shoulder with a pouch to place your baby. These work well for newborns because they allow the baby to be carried cradle style and don't require the baby to be able to hold their own head up. It is important when carrying newborns in a pouch style sling that you can see their face at all time to prevent suffocation.

Many people consider a stretchy wrap to be the best baby sling for newborns. This sling is stretchy and allows you to wrap your baby as loosely or as tightly as you prefer. Wraps of this style allow you to wrap your baby snuggly and securely against your body. This allows your baby to hear your heartbeat and feel the warmth of your body, which is calming and soothing to your baby. These wraps also allow your baby's entire head and face to be exposed, making the sling safer for a newborn.

If you choose to use a baby sling for your newborn, make sure you know the best baby sling for newborns. Understand, there are some risks associated with carrying very small babies in a sling, but if you're aware of those risks, and work to prevent problems, you will enjoy carrying your baby in a sling during every stage of infancy.

Samantha Kirya is the owner of MyaMaternity.com where you can find beautiful and functional baby slings used for babywearing. Visit us today for the best deals on maternity clothing, nursing clothes, diaper bags baby slings and more.

Baby gifts ideas for newborns

Baby gift baskets make a great gift idea, the children in the world welcome. You hits are birthdays, baby showers and other children are affected. There are many beautiful things that can be integrated into the basket for a baby gift. Parents and the child are grateful for the kindness of your donation, a series of functional elements that delight contains the family, in bring. Here are a few admired baby gifts that are often included in baby gift baskets:

Baby BlanketsBaby ClothesBurp ClothsBaby skin care products baby DiapersBaby SuppliesBaby picture frames and photo album feeding bibs, bottles, and other baby DishesCD for lullabies or some kindergarten RhymesPampering gifts for mothers includes scented candles, Spa supplies, gourmet treats and BooksStuffed animals and toys

Baby gift baskets
Your personal gift basket is an attractive idea. Original, you can and be entertaining. There are to use many ways of the container that you want to include in the basket for the range of gift items. It is not hard to do. In the Act, many people can nowadays are in do-it-yourself craft, easy, fun, creative and thoughtful gifts for newborns.

When the always consider your own baby baskets, which are useful for new parents now and in the future. You can give something that the receiver reflects gender or the subject of their nursery. Choose baby products in the neutral colors such as yellow, green, white and red. The look is very important. You are to the basket to send the recipient, make sure that your package be presented excellently.

Baby gifts online shopping
Although do-it-yourself baskets beautiful, baby for those who are not the time to make a gift, there several options which make product through online shopping. The installation and customization of the gift basket items can really take some time, so there are several online shops offer a wide range of baby presents the baby gift baskets included.

For exclusive gifts you surely find what you are looking for. See also personalized gift baskets. With presonalized gift you can your own feelings and or the babies details such as embroidery that are babies date if birth or name on a teddy bear. This makes your gift still eye-catching and special. Also a unique message, you can create a real memory element forever treasure Add.

Darren Johnson is the owner of pixie gifts, an Australian online service, specializing in high-quality baby gifts and baby shower gifts. Visit PixieGifts.com.au for some great ideas for your event.