How to treat umbilical cord?

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

We aren't putting anything on our babies' cords anymore, both in the NICU and the regular newborn nursery. They're falling off in the same amount of time as when we used alcohol and haven't noticed any problems. We still do not do tub baths until the cord falls off.

If we're using umbilical lines, we also don't treat the cord with anything. The doctors do coat the stump with betadine during line placement, but it's for antiseptic purposes only.

iceNICUnurse · Mar 1, 2007

We aren't putting anything on our babies' cords anymore, both in the NICU and the regular newborn nursery. They're falling off in the same amount of time as when we used alcohol and haven't noticed any problems.

Same here. But we do tub baths with the cord still on. No problems if we make sure to dry it properly afterwards.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 1, 2007

No special cord treatment where I work.... No tub baths 'til cord falls off, Neos use chlorhexidine now instead of betadine/alcohol to prep cord for lines....

lovemyjob · Mar 2, 2007

Our nursery uses triple dye and the alcohol with diaper changes. I dont think the alcohol really serves any purpose after the triple dye is on, have actually heard that it slows the falling off process. In the NICU we dont do anything special, neos use betadine on the cord when they place lines. We havent had any problems that I know of in the NICU for cord infections. We dont do tub baths in at all, only sponge baths, so bathing is not an issue.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2007

We gave up alcohol 5 years ago. We swab umbilical lines with betadine q shift.

prmenrs, RN · Mar 2, 2007

We don't put anything on it, educate parents on s/s of oomphalitis, keep diapers off. Sponge bath only til it's off and stump is completely healed.

sofiam · Mar 3, 2007

We do tub baths with the cord still on.After the bath we put 70º alcool .

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2007

Until lately, our orders Have said "alcohol PRN". The new protocol came out "alcohol with diaper changes". I think someone needs a little education. Protocols like that are seem to be written by people who are not familiar with the latest studies, and have little clinical experience.

In my experience, my grandbabies' parents were told to watch for redness/drainage, and no tx of any kind. Their cords both came off quickly and easily. On the other hand, I've talked to nurses who have diligently used alcohol to their own babies cords, and they have lasted for 6 weeks!

wensday, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Mar 7, 2007

We use chlorhexadine powder with cares (usually 8hourly nappy, linen, suction or whatever) and never see any redness or signs of local infection.

larelsail · Mar 7, 2007

We don't use anything to "clean" the cord...We give tub baths with the cord still on...don't swab umbilical lines (except, of course, when placed)...and our babies have lovely cords!

kidznurse · Mar 8, 2007

HI!
I my unit we use alcool 70º once a day, after the bath, but i´ve been reading some contradiction literature... Some says to dont apply anything, others to apply iodopovidone, clorhexidine, ...
Wthats your experience on this?
And when they have umbilical catethers with briges,do you apply anything?

We used to use iodine but then were told a few years ago that due to absorption bad for prem thyroids.