Your babe's umbilical cord stump is a funny little piece of skin that'due south actually the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical string is cut at nativity, a bit remains still attached to his navel — and it'll get through a metamorphosis during your infant'south early days.

Indeed, the color and look of the stump changes from yellow-light-green to black and crusty every bit it dries upwardly and and so falls off. Frankly, it looks downright weird, even gross, but don't be intimidated. Read on for like shooting fish in a barrel intendance tips for your baby'due south umbilical cord equally well as what to do if you think something's not right.

When does the umbilical cord fall off?

It may seem similar it's taking its sweet time, simply the umbilical cord stump should dry up and drop abroad by the fourth dimension your baby is iii weeks old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

It's possible the stump will fall away sooner, but if it's lingering longer than that timeframe, make an appointment with the pediatrician to get information technology checked out.

What to do when the umbilical cord falls off

Most cords dry completely and then fall off, leaving behind a cute babe belly button. You might observe a small raw spot or a bit of claret-tinged fluid oozing out. Attempt not to worry — this is also normal. Merely if you notice more profuse haemorrhage, phone call the md.

In some cases, the cord may form reddish-pinkish scar tissue called an umbilical granuloma, which may secrete a yellowish belch. This should clear upwards in a week, simply if it doesn't, check in with your baby's pediatrician. An umbilical granuloma is a very treatable condition.

Umbilical string intendance tips

Nowadays, the standard practice when information technology comes to caring for a newborn umbilical string is to keep it dry. Skip the rubbing alcohol and other ointments, and follow these umbilical cord tips to promote good healing:

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  • Keep information technology make clean.If the stump gets muddied, dab it gently with a wet washcloth and then pat the area with a dry cloth. (It'south unlikely you'll need to exercise this, as the cord usually stays pretty make clean.) Avoid using soap, which can irritate a baby's tender skin.
  • Air the stump out. Help the base of operations dry out by regularly exposing it to air.
  • Stick to sponge baths.Don't dunk that navel underwater for now — sponge baths are enough. Once the stump falls off, feel costless to bathe your baby in his pint-sized tub.
  • Diaper delicately.Avoid covering the stump with the top of his diaper. Some newborn-size disposables feature a little notch at the waistband, or you tin only fold down the front of the diaper to keep it from rubbing the stump area.
  • Modify diapers frequently. Change wet and dirty diapers promptly then they don't leak upward toward the navel and aggravate your baby'southward healing cord.
  • Apparel delicately too.Cull loose-plumbing equipment clothing that doesn't press confronting the stump or outfits with a special cutout for this area. Instead of onesies that snap at the crotch, try kimono-style bodysuits, which tie on the side for more than air circulation and less rubbing.
  • Resist touching or pulling.Let the scab fall off on its own. Never pull it, even if information technology seems to connect by merely the tiniest thread. If it gets yanked off likewise before long, it could start bleeding continuously. If this happens, telephone call your baby'southward doctor immediately.

Infected umbilical cord or belly push button

Healing abdomen buttons almost always look worse than they actually are, even when they're progressing commonly. It's rare that a healing umbilical cord stump gets infected, only when information technology does, the condition is called omphalitis.

Watch for these symptoms of a newborn abdomen button infection, or omphalitis:

  • Red skin or a carmine, bloated advent at the base of operations of the cord
  • A fluid-filled lump on or virtually your baby's umbilical cord stump
  • Oozing pus or discharge
  • Bleeding from the scab (though a trivial stale blood is normal)
  • Foul smell
  • Fever or lethargy
  • Depression ambition
  • Intestinal swelling
  • Crying when yous touch on the string or the expanse around it

If you notice any signs of infection or your baby seems to be in pain, telephone call your pediatrician. A class of antibiotics will get your baby's umbilicus back to healing in no fourth dimension.

Umbilical cord or omphalos bleeding

It'southward normal to spot a few drops of blood on your baby'south diaper later on his stump falls off, but yous should monitor any boosted umbilical cord haemorrhage closely. Contact your baby'south dr. if a pocket-size amount of bleeding lasts for more than three days.

If heavier belly button bleeding won't stop after ten minutes of direct pressure applied ii times or if there's a blood stain that's more than than two inches beyond, immediately call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous bleeding or a sizable spot of blood at this very young historic period (under a month) is a concern and should become checked out.

Less is more when information technology comes to caring for your baby'due south umbilical cord. If you go on the stump area dry and you exercise your best to avoid touching it when you diaper and dress your infant, this trivial piece of leftover skin should fall off in no time at all.