There’s a new trend going around that looks downright adorable and easy to do, but doctors are not exactly backing it up. The trend is the decorative umbilical cord clamps, particularly the knitted kind.
In a Courier Mail story, it reported that new mothers have taken to bringing with them their own umbilical cord ties instead of using the plastic ones hospitals use.
Usually, doctors attach cord clamps onto a newborn’s umbilical cords after it is cut. Some parents opt to leave the clamp attached for a few days—sometimes weeks—and then removes it so the stump can separate and fall of on its own.
The clamps hospitals use are made of sterile hard plastic, measuring around 3-4 cm long. The knitted and DIY counterpart can be made in different styles and colours.
Hospitals provide umbilical cord clamps
Umbilical cord clamps trend: Safe or not?
Speaking to Mama Mia, Sydney midwife Matilda Durmish shares her experiences with the trend.
“I did have a mom who came to hospital with one but I’ve heard it’s something becoming more popular with ladies who choose a home birth. Apparently you can get them (the clamps) made and even personalised which, I suppose, is a nice keepsake but I would advise using the hospital issued ones for safety and maybe keep the pretty ones if you’d like.
“You have to remember that they’re going to get pretty gross after a while and they would smell.
“My issue would mainly be around hygiene. You don’t want anything that’s going to cause an infection, especially in someone so small.”
However, the trend’s popularity doesn’t sit well with most doctors, who fear that they can cause unwanted dangers to infants.
In the Courrier Mail report, Brisbane based Obstetrician Gino Pecoraro admitted that the reason why most mothers opt to use their own clamps had to do with purely asthetic reasons.
He says:
“My concern with a crocheted or knitted wool device is the potential for infection as they can easily get wet as they become covered in faeces and urine. The plastic ones are sterile, have stood the test of time and are easy to apply.
“It may well be that a clamp made of something more pliable like a siliconised rubber which would be easier for mums to look after can be explored.”
Trends can be a good thing, but not when it risks infant’s health. Before subscribing to such fads, it’s still best to take into consideration your doctors’ opinion.
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