Ohhh, mommies - I've got more questions!!

When did your baby lose his/her cord?
Sean's is still attached and it doesn't look like it's ready to fall off yet. I've been told it typically takes 2-3 weeks. He's 3 weeks today.

Did anyone use a bottle sterilizer? If so, which one and was it worth it? I've been using Avent bottles and boiling them to sterilize after each use. A royal PITA.

Can we do anything about cradle cap (or as I say cradle crap)? I can't give him a 'real' bath yet, but I've been sponge bathing him every other day. He also has baby acne . I think I just have to let that heal on it's own.

I think that's all for now...

I only have two minutes....but, wanted to respond.

Paul's cord fell off within 10 days and I celebrated like crazy b/c I could NOT stand to care for it - made me squeemish!

Baby acne is caused by Mommy's hormones leaving the baby's system...sooo, there is nothing that you can do for this, it just has to run its course. The good news is that his skin will clear up in about a week or so.

Cradle cap is a royal PITA, but as soon as you are able to give him a bath, put a little Johnson's shampoo on his scalp and use a very soft baby brush to scrub lightly - don't be too rough, but not too gentle either. Obviously, babies have soft spots, but they are not as soft as we fear they are.
You can also try massaging olive oil on his scalp, letting it sit for a few hours and then gently combing out the scales w/a fine toothed baby comb.

Post more PICS soon!

Lyla's cord fell off on the 10th day also, but it sounds like your little guy just wants to still be attached to his mommy, so I'm sure it will come off soon!

I don't use a sterilizer, just boil everything for 5 minutes once after purchase and then wash with hot soapy water.

Lyla had acne, I was so upset since she came out of me with such a beautiful complexion and not one blemish! Then all of a sudden she had acne all over and it lasted 3 weeks. I was told the same thing about my hormones in her, and if you are bfding it will last longer.

Lyla didn't have cradle cap but has a flaky scalp, I use a couple of drops of baby oil before her bath and massage her head (and her body, which she LOVES!)

Kathi,

I soaked the cords in alcohol swabs with every diaper change- they fell off pretty quick (that was a tip from my experienced ped nurse friend).

I used the avent sterilizer - which was very useful until we realized Ryan couldn't drink out of those bottles. Ended up switching both to platex drop ins rather than have one on each. The avent was good -- easy to use, it fit alot and easy to clean. I had registered and rec'd the microwave one, but returned it for the plug in unit ($70 I think).

Connor had bad CC - the dr. told me I wasn't scrubbing hard enough. I said that's HIS HEAD! It's flexible! He told me not to worry, I wouldn't break him. I used oil on it and he told me not to as it prevents it from flaking off . Said to brush his scalp before the bath and use the rough side of the wash cloth with either dove soap or baby shampoo.

Good luck.

Much to our (and the Dr's) surprise, we John Anthony's cord fell off BEFORe we took him home from the hospital! so that was a nice surprise. I would have been nervous to care for it.

Claud-gave perfect advice on cradle cap.



ETA: Niha, I think the 'flaky scalp' youre seeing IS cradle cap, because that sounds like the perfect description for it. My sister has taken care of it on JA for me, I get too nervous to scrub his head that hard. Shes very good at it.

Kathi, Ryan's cord took almost a month to fall off - EW EW EW!! I did a dance of joy when it did...

I use the Avent Microwave Steam sterilizer and it is great. However, I got sick of doing it all the time so I now use Playtex disposables during the day and avent bottles only at night (for use in the bottle warmer) - much less sterilizing.

I have a great product for cradle cap - it's been working like a charm (my SIL bought it for me). His 'crap (I call it that too!)' is clearing up waaaay faster with this! Cradle Crap Stuff

Fun stuff!!

juliannes cord stump fell off about 2 days after she came home ! yay for me!

cradle cap? we had that too.. massaged some baby oil in her scalp, used her brush to give it a good brush through, then gave her a bath. may need to modify this as u r still sponging...but I think u can shampoo the hair alone if someone can help u.

acne? she got it at 2 months. I bf, and it seemed to last for the whole month of feb. ugly to look at but nothing u can do except wash all her skin with warm water and a mild soap. I also used
Acquavor on her face a bit since some areas were scaly.

ok you have me intrigued....can somebody explain what EXACTLY this cord maintenance entails?

You ladies are the bestest!!!

I think I'll forego the bottle sterilizer and stick to the pot of boiling water...save myself $60!

Lee: Thanks for the cradle crap stuff... I may give it a shot!!

I've been treating his cord w/ alcohol at just about every diaper change. It's just taking it's sweet time to fall off!! Hopefully it will w/in a week. I wanna know if my boy has an innie or an outtie!!

FYI, Jenny: That's all there is to 'cord maintenance'. I squeeze a drop or 2 of alcohol (I use cotton pads) onto the cord and gently wipe around the base of the cord. The alcohol is *supposed* to help it dry up and fall off faster (not in my case... LOL) as well as, obviously, keeping it free from infection.



Thanks again everyone!!!