Question about using gauze to tie off the cord

[catholic74]

I read in one of my books that you can use gauze to tie off the cord, therefore avoiding those awkward plastic clamps. I instantly liked the idea, especially when I thought of how the gauze will be soft and lay flat against the baby when he's wearing a diaper.  I shared the idea with my husband of using gauze instead of the plastic clamps and he voiced a concern that the pus/blood, etc fromt he stump might get stuck in the gauze and smell or cause an infection (and how could we easily change the gauze if that were the case?).  I didn't think of that, but I'm not sure if that is a legitimate concern or not.  Has anyone ever used gauze?  Do you think it would be a problem?   

Thanks!  It's interesting how when you're planning a UC, the tiniest little detail becomes a a huge deal the requires much thought and research! LOL!  

[Jane]

Not a UC'er, but a midwife. I use a metal or plastic typical clamp because it's quick and easy when the parents decide to cut the cord. Later, at the newborn exam, I'll clip off the clamp and use sterilized embroidery floss to double tie the cord. It works nicely - the cord tends to dry in a nice round shape, like a nickle on the stump, rather than a flap, as it does with the clamp.
I'd recommend using something string like, like the floss, rather than gauze - not sure how I could get that tight.

I know some people just recommend waiting a long time and no clamp or tie, but when parents have done that, it still tends to weep blood. I don't like that - blood needs to stay in the baby and off the clothes.

[Devaskyla]

We used a boiled, brand new shoelace to tie off the cord for ds2. It worked well. I can't say we've ever had anything from the cord, that's the point of tying it off, especially if you've waited until it stop pulsing.

[amberskyfire]

I used a piece of hemp twine that my midwives gave me for this purpose. It was nice and soft. I wouldn't worry about pus, etc. getting in the wrappings as the cord dries up pretty quickly and falls off. There isn't a lot of time for it to get infected. Just be sure that anything touching it is clean and if you see pus around the wound, use some goldenseal powder on it. This stuff stains, so keep it off of baby's clothes. It dries up cord stumps like a dream, though!