Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Midwifery (RM)

Dressing of the Umbilical Cord

Cord dressing protects the umbilical stump from contamination while allowing it to dry and separate. The method follows current facility and national newborn-care guidance and avoids unnecessary substances.

Purpose

  • Prevent cord infection and contamination
  • Promote dry, safe cord separation
  • Teach parents appropriate cord observation and care

Indications

  • Routine cord care after birth
  • A wet, soiled, or loosely covered stump requiring clean care
  • Parent education before discharge

Equipment

  • Hand-hygiene supplies
  • Sterile or clean cord materials approved by policy
  • Clean gloves when exposure is expected
  • Clean gauze or dressing if indicated
  • Newborn record

Preparation

  • Review local cord-care policy and ensure supplies are ready.
  • Keep the newborn warm and involve the parent in learning.

Procedure steps

  • Explain the procedure and assess the newborn’s temperature, colour, breathing, feeding, and cord for redness, swelling, bleeding, odour, or discharge.
  • Perform hand hygiene and gather supplies without touching sterile surfaces.
  • Position the newborn safely and expose the cord while maintaining warmth and privacy.
  • Use the approved dry or antiseptic cord-care method; clean from the base outward when indicated and avoid repeated rubbing.
  • Allow the stump to dry, fold the diaper below it, and apply only the approved dressing if required.
  • Dispose of materials safely, remove gloves if used, and perform hand hygiene.
  • Reassess for bleeding and ensure the cord is not tightly covered or pulled.
  • Teach the parent to keep the cord clean and dry and to seek care for infection signs.
  • Escalate bleeding, redness spreading to the abdomen, pus, foul odour, fever, or a sick newborn.
  • Document method, cord findings, education, response, and referral.

Precautions

  • Use only current approved cord-care guidance; do not apply ash, oils, powders, or unapproved substances.
  • Avoid pulling or tightly binding the stump.
  • Use clean or sterile materials as required and protect the cord from urine and stool.
  • Treat infection signs or systemic illness urgently.

Aftercare

  • Recheck the stump and newborn condition.
  • Arrange follow-up and reinforce danger signs.

Nursing considerations

  • Adapt teaching to local practice while maintaining evidence-based infection prevention.
  • Ensure parents can demonstrate safe cord care.

Patient education

  • Keep the stump clean and dry, fold the diaper below it, and use no unapproved substances.
  • Seek care for redness, swelling, pus, foul smell, bleeding, fever, poor feeding, or lethargy.

Documentation

  • Record cord appearance, method, materials, newborn response, education, and referral.
  • Document any bleeding or abnormality.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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