Here’s a knitting trend I hadn’t heard of before, but apparently in Australia (I’ve seen reports of their use in the UK, too) a rising number of women who participate in home births or have midwives are using knit umbilical ties instead of the clamps offered by hospitals.
The idea is that the handmade ties are less obtrusive, potentially less painful and a lot cuter than clamps used to hold the cord until it heals. But doctors say the trend is dangerous because the cords can’t be kept sterile and thus provide lots of potential for infection as they get wet and soiled when baby’s diapers are changed.
Though a mom quoted in that story from the Courier Mail says there are patterns “all over social media,” I didn’t find any patterns for the items on Ravelry. I did find a place in the UK that sells them, however.
Is this trend something you’ve heard about? Have you or would you use a knit umbilical cord tie? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
[Photo by Emma Jean Photography, via Courier Mail.]
GICK! That makes me sick to look at it!
So unsanitary, potential for infection, just nasty.
People are crazy, and not in a good way…
My babies were born at home and we tied the cords with dental floss. Worked great.