infected umbilical stump?

[BanditaMamacita]

I don't know if this is the best place to post this, but since UCers are less likely to seek medical treatment and i really dont want to go to the pedi for it, it seemed like a good place to start. Please move if you need to tho.

Anyway, dd is 13 days old, and still has her umbilical stump (dd1 had hers till about 2 weeks and ds till almost 3 weeks, so i think thats just normal for us?). I haven't gotten it wet or cleaned it with alcohol or anything, but now it's oozing yellow fluid. It;s pretty gross. It's also bleeding a bit. It looks like it's starting to detach on one side, so it should eb on its way pretty soon, but I'm worried about the possible infection. Anything i can do to heal it/treat it? Is it dangerous? Should I call the ped? Any tips/info would be appreciated.. Thanks!

[shellnurse]

call your pedi- drainage can be an indication of infection. You do not want to wait out an infection on a baby!

[samuel1:8]

I'd probably use goldenseal on it, all you need is a capsule or two, that'll last you the whole time. Pull the folds back, pour a little in there, really get it in there where its oozy and detaching. Goldenseal will help dry it out and has antibacterial properties. One of my babies cords was oozy and a little bloody too, if that makes you feel better. The goldenseal worked great.

[MamaJenese]

Originally Posted by samuel1:8

I'd probably use goldenseal on it, all you need is a capsule or two, that'll last you the whole time. Pull the folds back, pour a little in there, really get it in there where its oozy and detaching. Goldenseal will help dry it out and has antibacterial properties. One of my babies cords was oozy and a little bloody too, if that makes you feel better. The goldenseal worked great.

ditto this. After one day of goldenseal DD stump looked 100% better then fell off the next day and her belly button looked perfect.

[MsBlack]

NO goldenseal, as you can never be sure of contaminants including pathogens. Besides, what a stump needs more than anything is AIR, you don't want to block airflow with a powder or goop of any sort.

Drip a few drops of breastmilk onto the area and let it sit a few minutes. Gently wipe away the goop without messing too directly with the cord stump (just around it). Do this a couple times a day.

Otherwise, let it get a lot of air. Good that you haven't been using alcohol or anything on it, but sometimes people do not let the stump get enough air drying--diaper rides too high, clothing is synthetic instead of cotton (so, not breathable). Make sure diapers are situated low and away from stump. You can even use a blow dryer on a low setting, directed (from about 12-18inches away) at the stump, for about 5min at a time, a couple times a day. Usually doing this just 2-3 times helps it finish drying so the stump can release.

If your baby is otherwise acting normal, vigourous, etc, then you probably needn't worry about systemic infection at this time. Also, if the skin around the stump is not red/inflamed, that is also a good sign. However, if that skin surrounding stump IS red, you probably should get to a Dr.

[UCmamaToMany]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

NO goldenseal, as you can never be sure of contaminants including pathogens. Besides, what a stump needs more than anything is AIR, you don't want to block airflow with a powder or goop of any sort.

There is/was a caution about goldenseal, but ONLY the goldnseal you buy in BULK. You can get the powder usually in bulk at some HFS however there is NOT the same risk when you buy it in capsuals because it is clean and does not have the cross contamination problems bulk goldenseal has.

Goldenseal is the best option though, because as it was said it has antibacterial properties and helps dry the stump out fast. I've used it with my last 5 UC's and never had a problem. Stumps always fell off within 3 days.

[MsBlack]

I agree that goldenseal has antibacterial properties--and you've clearly had good experience using it with your babies from the day of birth. In this case, it seems to me that what is most needed is air drying, and that any substance will just gum things up.

Also thanks for pointing out the diff btwn bulk goldenseal and encapsulated. I think this is an important distinction! I am a fan of goldenseal generally (not for cord stumps, but for various situations)--but once reading about possible contamination (without that qualifier you gave), I got more wary about it.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

My ds's did that scared the crap outta me. I immediatly started doing alcohol which I hadnt been doing since the mw said not to. It dried up in another week and fell off.

My dd's stayed on for over a month before coming off. I did use alcohol on hers with no issues with drainage and nasty smell. I should have with ds as well would have saved me being terrified.

[mischievium]

I would do both-- go ahead and treat it at home (I would use alcohol and possibly antibiotic ointment, not goldenseal, but that's my preference), but also take the baby to get checked out. In my experience, omphalitis isn't something to mess around with and I certainly wouldn't wait until the baby was having symptoms of a systemic infection to wait to get treated, by then it could either be too late or could mean a hospital stay and all that involves.

[AlishaB]

Forum Crashing.
What about using Calendula? Reapply every change with a Q-Tip and make sure that it stays uncovered by the diaper, so the air can get to it. If the goo doesnt seem to clear in 24hrs, perhaps seek attention...but follow your gut! (it's never wrong)

[Theoretica]

Forum crashing also to say that I'd give it 24 hours of alternative care and if it isn't significantly better please consider getting it checked out. Newbs can go from perfectly healthy to yucky sick so fast! My 8yoDD had a stump that looked just like this, we did a salve that I make: beeswax w/calendula, I sprinkled in a smidge of goldenseal into the salve. Anyways it did get better, but was still infected a day or so later. We went in and the Ped just cautaurized it in less than 20 seconds, she didn't even notice or care that he did it. He explained the concern is that it's a wound with direct access to their bloodstream, so any infection could become fatal quickly. Not something to mess with, JIMHO.

HTH

[gabeyho]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

Drip a few drops of breastmilk onto the area and let it sit a few minutes. Gently wipe away the goop without messing too directly with the cord stump (just around it). Do this a couple times a day.

Otherwise, let it get a lot of air. Good that you haven't been using alcohol or anything on it, but sometimes people do not let the stump get enough air drying--diaper rides too high, clothing is synthetic instead of cotton (so, not breathable). Make sure diapers are situated low and away from stump. You can even use a blow dryer on a low setting, directed (from about 12-18inches away) at the stump, for about 5min at a time, a couple times a day. Usually doing this just 2-3 times helps it finish drying so the stump can release.

If your baby is otherwise acting normal, vigourous, etc, then you probably needn't worry about systemic infection at this time. Also, if the skin around the stump is not red/inflamed, that is also a good sign. However, if that skin surrounding stump IS red, you probably should get to a Dr.

I did this with mine. DD3 had really oozy and smelly stump, and after some breastmilk on it and really giving it some good airflow it dried up fast and came off after a few days.

[paxye]

I would also use the breastmilk/lots of air option... it has always worked for us...

also, drainage can be normal... How is the skin around the cord area? If it is still normal then I wouldn't worry and just treat at home... if there is any sort of pinkish/reddish ring that would indicate a true infection and I would def get it checked out...

[pumpkinhead]

Both of my baby's cords got gooey just before they fell off. Is it smelly (not a musty smell, but a rotten smell) and/or is there redness associated with the drainage? Any red streaks radiating out from it? If not, I'd swab it with some boiled, cooled water or a little rubbing alcohol (I know, I know, but it helps clean away the goo. I don't do this with a properly drying up cord and I wouldn't do it more than once).

If there is any redness, I would want to have the baby seen.

I would also absolutely not use goldenseal.

[BanditaMamacita]

thanks, everyone. i used the tips for a few days, but it was still pretty gross (not smelly or red, just oozy), so i mentioned it to the ped at our 2 wk weight check, and she cauterized it... So hopefully it will be on its way soon. Still doing the breastmilk and airflow too Thanks so much again.

and sorry for any typos... typing with a 2 week old at my breast. heh.

[MsBlack]

Great! I wondered what became of you thanks for the update.