How to care for your baby’s umbilical cord

The umbilical cord connects your babys body to your body. When your baby is growing inside of you they rely entirely on you. Your babys umbilical cord gives them everything they need to grow and develop including nutrients oxygen and blood.
The umbilical cord develops from the placenta which is attached to the inside of your uterus Dr. Garcia said.
And even though its attached to you you and your baby dont feel the umbilical cord.
Do we feel our uterus or any organ inside of us? Not really. Its just there. Thats how the umbilical cord is Dr. Garcia said.

Cutting the umbilical cord
When your baby is finally born the umbilical cord is still attached to your placenta. After birth the umbilical cord is cut sometimes by your support person and sometimes by one of the providers in the room. After its cut a small stump is left. When the stump falls off a couple of weeks after birth whats left is your newborns belly button.
Babies dont feel pain when the umbilical cord is cut. If your baby is crying after birth when the umbilical cord is cut its likely because they are no longer in the warm cozy environment they got used to in your belly.
Moms dont feel pain when the umbilical cord is cut either Dr. Garcia said. The umbilical cord technically belongs to our bodies but at the same time it doesnt. It has no nerve endings.
The cord is just a temporary line that connects mom and baby before birth. Once your baby is born and the placenta is delivered the umbilical cord isnt part of either body anymore.
Your provider care team will suture your babys umbilical stump. The providers will only stitch through the stump and not on your babys skin. Because it has no nerve endings the baby