Baby Fashion Trend To Avoid: Knitted Umbilical Ties Are Dangerous, Doctors Warn Parents

Knitted umbilical ties are becoming a baby fashion fad in Australia, but doctors are warning parents about its potential dangers. While some think the accessory poses no harm to infants, experts say the decorative piece might lead to an infection.

Mothers in Australia are knitting personalized umbilical ties to adorn their newborns. The DIY fashion accessory is supposed to be tied on the umbilical cord stump until this piece falls off, which usually happens after a week.

Some 80 percent of moms are apparently in the habit of clamping their baby's umbilical cord stump, per Courier Mail. But the newest fashion trend, which replaces regular plastic clamps, is making it more enticing for moms.

The report further notes that knitted umbilical ties tutorials have increasingly become popular on the internet, as many share their patterns and design ideas online. Thus, doctors are raising the alarm about the dangers of going about this the wrong way.

One doctor, Gino Pecoraro, expressed that the knitted umbilical ties could become easily wet and covered in pee and poop, whereas regular plastic clamps can be sterilized and are easier to clean. The knitted umbilical tie, though pretty to look at, could gather dirt that can seep through the umbilical cord's stump, when this should always be kept clean and dry. The area around the stump is sensitive and can be easily irritated.

A photo posted by Julie Bell (@blissful.herbs) on Aug 29, 2016 at 6:33pm PDT

However, some moms insist they have used knitted umbilical ties on their babies without any problems before and the plastic clamp doctors recommend apparently looks uncomfortable on the baby. "It has nothing to do with fashion," said mom Amelia Robertson, via News Corp. Australia. The personalized pretty designs of the knitted umbilical ties are just a bonus.

The American Pregnancy Org cites swelling, redness, pus, bleeding and smelly discharge in the umbilical cord as signs of infection, apart from the baby's obvious pain. If not attended to, an infected umbilical cord could lead to series and life-threatening infection. Always consult with your pediatrician to be better guided, including using a knitted umbilical tie for the baby.