Breast Milk For Umbilical Cord Care
Once the baby is born and separated from the placenta, it is necessary to take care of the small portion of the umbilical cord that is left over during the days following delivery. That said, it is worth specifying that there are various ways in which the umbilical cord can be treated.
However, much progress has been made on this topic today. For this reason, some researchers argue that umbilical cord care with breast milk is the best solution. In this article by We Are Mom we give you all the details.
Why do we need to take care of the umbilical cord?
The ideal is to gradually dry out this residue of the point of contact between mother and child. Because from this depends the fact that the stump falls and finally the navel is formed. Specialists state that this process tends to last between 7 and 12 days.
While this change does not usually cause major inconvenience, it can lead to a cord infection. This is generally known as omphalitis, a dangerous disease which, with adequate and appropriate antibiotic treatment, can be resolved.
Despite this, it is not insignificant that in the poorest countries this infection affects an average of 197 children per thousand births, sometimes even becoming fatal. Consequently, it is very important to know the different alternatives for the care of the umbilical cord of the newborn.
The care of the umbilical cord of the newborn: the traditional methods
At present, there are two main methods of umbilical cord care of the newborn. One of these involves using a disinfectant, while the other involves using only soap and water. In any case, it is recommended to always keep the abutment clean and dry.
However, the use of disinfectants and antibacterials would be absolutely essential if there are high risks of bacterial infections. This is the case in places with poor hygienic conditions or populations with poor food safety conditions.
Research carried out by the World Health Organization in 2004 concluded that the method used for the care of the navel of the newborn is quite indifferent. For this, scientists in Cairo sought to determine whether nursing a newborn baby’s umbilical cord with breast milk could be useful and effective.
According to what the researchers found, some traditional methods are also just water and hot cloths. Or with butter, olive oil, breast milk, camphor oil, a navel bandage, gentian violet or an iodine solution.
Thus, to compare these methods with the application of breast milk, two groups of women were trained with their respective babies who were taught how to care for the umbilical cord. Furthermore, both groups were given the most appropriate indications for the hygiene of the newborn.
Breast milk: the best solution?
The method assumes, first, to wash your hands before extracting about 4-6 drops of colostrum or breast milk, to be applied to the baby’s cord. Then it is left to dry and finally folds the diaper down. This is done approximately every 4 hours, 3 times a day.
Comparing the different methods, the results were significant:
- The umbilical cord of the babies treated with breast milk fell out around the fourth day. While in the others it fell about the seventh day.
- In newborn babies who used breast milk, the cord bled for a day and a half, compared to three and a half days for other babies.
- Umbilical cord secretions in colostrum-treated infants lasted for less than two days. Instead, in the other children they lasted for two and a half days.
The properties of breast milk
According to the researchers in the introduction of this scientific study, breast milk contains IgA antibodies. The latter have a preventive effect with respect to skin infections.
Likewise, breast milk has antibacterial and antiviral effects that help topically. It also contains the main muscle growth factors capable of promoting cartilage repair, as well as wound healing.
For all these reasons, applying breast milk to the umbilical cord stump is thought to reduce the risk of infection while promoting accelerated mummification. This implies an early fall of the cord, thus decreasing the risk of infection.
