Objectives: Umbilical cord is one of the most important sites for bacterial colonization
after birth. Various methods have been used for caring for the umbilical cord over time.
Some of these methods might result in unwanted effects on the newborn and might lead to
delayed umbilical cord separation. The aim of this review article was to evaluate the
preventive effects of topical application of breast milk on bacterial colonization in the
umbilical cord. Methods: A total of 26 articles were found through electronic search using these
keywords: umbilical cord, newborn, and breast milk. Initially, keywords were searched
separately, and then combinations of keywords were searched to find articles published
between 1994 and 2011 in SID, PUBMED and ScienceDirect databases. Finally, 14
articles were evaluated in this study. Results and conclusion: Topical application of breast milk on the remaining part of
umbilical cord results in bacterial colonization reduction and also reduces the cord
separation time. Therefore, this method can be used as a simple, cheap, and non-invasive
way for umbilical cord care.
Azmoudeh, E., & Behnam Voshani, H. R. (2015). Evaluation of the effects of washing the umbilical cord with maternal breast milk. Beyhagh, 16(1), 44-50.
MLA
Elham Azmoudeh; Hamid Reza Behnam Voshani. "Evaluation of the effects of washing the umbilical cord with maternal breast milk". Beyhagh, 16, 1, 2015, 44-50.
HARVARD
Azmoudeh, E., Behnam Voshani, H. R. (2015). 'Evaluation of the effects of washing the umbilical cord with maternal breast milk', Beyhagh, 16(1), pp. 44-50.
VANCOUVER
Azmoudeh, E., Behnam Voshani, H. R. Evaluation of the effects of washing the umbilical cord with maternal breast milk. Beyhagh, 2015; 16(1): 44-50.
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