Your baby's umbilical cord stump is a funny piddling piece of skin that's actually the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical cord is cut at birth, a bit remains however fastened to his navel — and it'll become through a metamorphosis during your infant'southward early days.

Indeed, the color and look of the stump changes from yellowish-dark-green to black and crusty as it dries up and so falls off. Frankly, it looks downright weird, even gross, but don't be intimidated. Read on for easy care tips for your baby's umbilical cord as well equally what to practise if you recall something's non correct.

When does the umbilical cord fall off?

It may seem like it's taking its sugariness fourth dimension, merely the umbilical cord stump should dry up and driblet away by the time your infant is 3 weeks one-time, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

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

What to do when the umbilical cord falls off

Well-nigh cords dry out completely and and so fall off, leaving backside a cute baby belly button. You might discover a small raw spot or a chip of blood-tinged fluid oozing out. Attempt not to worry — this is also normal. Simply if yous notice more than profuse bleeding, telephone call the doc.

In some cases, the cord may form reddish-pink scar tissue called an umbilical granuloma, which may secrete a yellow discharge. This should clear up in a calendar week, but if it doesn't, bank check in with your infant'southward pediatrician. An umbilical granuloma is a very treatable condition.

Umbilical string care tips

Present, the standard exercise when it comes to caring for a newborn umbilical cord is to keep it dry. Skip the rubbing alcohol and other ointments, and follow these umbilical cord tips to promote skillful healing:

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  • Keep it clean.If the stump gets dirty, dab it gently with a moisture washcloth and and so pat the area with a dry cloth. (It's unlikely you'll demand to exercise this, every bit the cord usually stays pretty clean.) Avoid using soap, which tin irritate a baby's tender skin.
  • Air the stump out. Assistance the base dry out past regularly exposing it to air.
  • Stick to sponge baths.Don't dunk that omphalos underwater for now — sponge baths are enough. Once the stump falls off, experience costless to breast-stroke your baby in his pint-sized tub.
  • Diaper delicately.Avoid covering the stump with the elevation of his diaper. Some newborn-size disposables feature a little notch at the waistband, or you tin can simply fold down the forepart of the diaper to keep it from rubbing the stump area.
  • Modify diapers ofttimes. Modify wet and dirty diapers promptly and then they don't leak upwards toward the umbilicus and aggravate your baby's healing cord.
  • Dress delicately too.Choose loose-fitting clothing that doesn't printing against the stump or outfits with a special cutout for this surface area. Instead of onesies that snap at the crotch, try kimono-fashion bodysuits, which tie on the side for more air circulation and less rubbing.
  • Resist touching or pulling.Let the scab fall off on its own. Never pull information technology, even if it seems to connect past but the tiniest thread. If it gets yanked off also soon, information technology could get-go bleeding continuously. If this happens, call your infant'due south physician immediately.

Infected umbilical string or bellybutton

Healing abdomen buttons nearly always look worse than they actually are, even when they're progressing usually. It'southward rare that a healing umbilical cord stump gets infected, but when it does, the status is called omphalitis.

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

  • Scarlet skin or a red, bloated appearance at the base of the string
  • A fluid-filled lump on or near your baby's umbilical string stump
  • Oozing pus or discharge
  • Haemorrhage from the scab (though a footling dried blood is normal)
  • Foul smell
  • Fever or languor
  • Low appetite
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Crying when yous affect the cord or the area around it

If you discover whatsoever signs of infection or your baby seems to be in pain, call your pediatrician. A class of antibiotics will get your baby's belly button back to healing in no time.

Umbilical cord or belly button bleeding

It'due south normal to spot a few drops of blood on your babe's diaper afterward his stump falls off, but you should monitor any boosted umbilical cord bleeding closely. Contact your infant's doctor if a small amount of bleeding lasts for more than iii days.

If heavier belly push bleeding won't stop after x minutes of direct pressure practical two times or if there's a claret stain that'due south more than two inches beyond, immediately phone call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous bleeding or a sizable spot of blood at this very young age (nether a calendar month) is a business and should get checked out.

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