Although it doesn't typically occur, uncontrolled heavy bleeding from the umbilical cord in a newborn baby can lead to loss of blood and death. The blood vessel-lined cord connects the placenta to the baby's body through an opening in the abdomen....
Immediately after birth, your newborn's umbilical cord was cut and tied, forming his bellybutton. This cut umbilical cord requires care and frequent cleaning to prevent infection while it heals. One the cord stump falls off, which generally occurs...
Sweat, dirt, bacteria and lint from your clothing can accumulate in your belly button and cause an unpleasant odor. Newborn babies' umbilical cord stumps often give off a slight odor during the first few weeks of life as their belly buttons heal...
Within the blood of your newborn's umbilical cord and placenta are stem cells. Banking this cord blood can allow for future use as an alternative to bone marrow transplants, the treatment of some cancers, immunodeficiencies, metabolic disorders...
Cord blood banking is a procedure in which a newborn's umbilical cord blood is collected and stored for later use. In some cases, cord blood provides treatment opportunities for diseases, such as some forms of cancer.
A newborn's skin is fragile and thin and needs gentle care. Although some people think that constant application of lotions, ointments and creams prevents rashes, an infant's skin is sensitive to the chemicals in many products, says pediatrician...
Stem cells are specialized cells that can transform into almost any kind of cell in the body. This potential to turn into other cells holds the promise of repairing damage to organs caused by injury or disease. Embryos contain the most versatile...
Umbilical cord care can be very intimidating for a new parent. The funny color, smell, and texture are unique and strange. Your perfect little baby will have this cord attached for about two weeks so you have to face your fears. The important...
Cord blood is the blood found in the umbilical cord and placenta attached to newborn babies. Cord blood is rich in stem cells, the cells from which all other cells are made. Stem cells are used in the treatment of some cancers, immune diseases and...
A small section of umbilical cord remains attached to your newborn's belly button for about two weeks after birth, when it typically falls off on its own. The umbilical cord requires some minor care to prevent infection and ensure it falls off in...
At birth, the doctor clamps and cuts the umbilical cord, leaving behind a small stump that eventually falls off. In most newborns, the belly button heals on its own without any complications. Some discharge during the healing process is normal,...
The potential for stem cell research to revolutionize health care, combined with concerns over ethical issues surrounding the harvesting of stem cells, have garnered much attention from researchers, lobbyists and the media. Cord blood banking...
Supplies needed during childbirth can vary, depending on whether the birth takes place in a hospital or at home, and the type of delivery. However, some standard supplies are commonly used for all types of births.
Many parents worry about their newborn’s umbilical cord stump. With some simple guidelines, you can provide adequate care for it to heal promptly. Watch for signs of infection, and learn about potential problems that may arise as the...
After an average pregnancy of 38 to 42 weeks, new parents encounter their newborn baby for the first time. There are many things about a newborn baby that make these littlest humans different from older infants. They are completely dependent on...
Your baby's umbilical cord is her source of life as it connects her body to yours during pregnancy. Once your baby is born, begins breathing oxygen and obtaining nutrition from milk or formula, the umbilical cord is no longer needed. The cord is...
You have spent the last nine months or so anticipating the arrival of your little bundle of joy. Now that she is here, you my feel a little overwhelmed with your new responsibility. At this stage of parenting, your number 1 job is to meet your...
All babies are born with an umbilical cord, which is cut at birth to leave a stump that parents must care for until it falls off. While the drying and loss of the cord is generally uneventful, sometimes problems do occur. Parents who pay attention...
Bringing your newborn home from the hospital is a momentous occasion filled with excitement and well wishers. Until now, hands on experience for your newborn's care has been shared with hospital staff, but home care is up to you and family...
Newborn babies have several unique characteristics that may surprise their parents. Because newborns have been recently exposed to a variety of hormones from their mothers, they may have swollen nipples or even release some milk from the nipples....
Individuals who suffer from bone or blood diseases that don't respond to other treatments may be candidates for a bone marrow transplant. In this procedure, healthy bone marrow stem cells from a donor are placed into the bones of the recipient,...
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sponge bathing your newborn until the stump of his umbilical cord falls off. After that, you can continue to give your baby sponge baths, or you may decide to put him in an infant tub for bath time. If...
A newborn's pulse rate is the number of times his heart beats per minute. This rhythmic beating occurs each time the ventricle of the heart contracts to pump blood through the cardiovascular system. A normal pulse rate indicates that the heart is...
The use of birthing tubs for labor and delivery has been gaining popularity in Western cultures since the 1970s. Benefits may include increased relaxation and comfort for the mother and a smoother transition for the newborn. Babies breathe when...
Stem cells are special undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different kinds of cells. They are the foundation for every cell, tissue and organ in our body. They help our bodies to replenish themselves by continually...
Cord blood cells are a form of stem cells which can be extracted from the blood in the umbilical cord of a newborn infant. These cells, like other types of blood stem cells, can be used to treat patients with certain kinds of blood and bone...
The blood from an umbilical cord contains stem cells that are capable of transforming into many different types of cells in the body. Umbilical cord blood can be collected and stored in a cord blood bank for possible later use. While the pros of...
Diet and nutrition are crucial to your unborn baby's growth and development. Not eating enough high quality food during pregnancy can lead to health risks for you and the fetus. According to Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician and author of more...
The skin has several important functions. It has to protect you against harmful microbes, prevent you from losing fluids, regulate your body temperature and warn you when something that you touch is too hot or too cold. And, it is susceptible to...
