Your baby'due south umbilical cord stump is a funny little piece of peel that'south actually the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical cord is cut at nativity, a bit remains nevertheless fastened to his navel — and information technology'll become through a metamorphosis during your baby'southward early days.

Indeed, the color and look of the stump changes from yellowish-green to black and crusty every bit it dries up and then falls off. Frankly, it looks downright weird, even gross, but don't exist intimidated. Read on for like shooting fish in a barrel care tips for your baby'southward umbilical cord too every bit what to do if you think something's not right.

When does the umbilical cord autumn off?

It may seem like it's taking its sugariness time, just the umbilical cord stump should dry out upwardly and drop away by the time your baby is three weeks old, according to the American University of Pediatrics (AAP).

It's possible the stump will fall abroad sooner, only if it'due south lingering longer than that timeframe, make an appointment with the pediatrician to become it checked out.

What to exercise when the umbilical string falls off

Most cords dry out completely and then fall off, leaving behind a cute baby belly button. You might notice a minor raw spot or a bit of blood-tinged fluid oozing out. Try not to worry — this is also normal. But if you observe more than profuse bleeding, call the physician.

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

Umbilical string care tips

Nowadays, the standard practice 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 string tips to promote expert healing:

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  • Keep it clean.If the stump gets muddy, dab it gently with a moisture washcloth and and then pat the surface area with a dry cloth. (It's unlikely you'll need to do this, equally the cord usually stays pretty clean.) Avoid using soap, which tin irritate a babe's tender skin.
  • Air the stump out. Aid the base dry by regularly exposing information technology to air.
  • Stick to sponge baths.Don't dunk that belly button underwater for now — sponge baths are plenty. Once the stump falls off, feel free to bathe your baby in his pint-sized tub.
  • Diaper delicately.Avoid covering the stump with the acme of his diaper. Some newborn-size disposables characteristic a little notch at the waistband, or you tin simply fold downward the front of the diaper to go on it from rubbing the stump surface area.
  • Change diapers oft. Modify wet and dirty diapers promptly then they don't leak upward toward the omphalus and aggravate your infant'due south healing cord.
  • Dress delicately too.Choose loose-fitting wear that doesn't press against 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 air circulation and less rubbing.
  • Resist touching or pulling.Let the scab autumn off on its own. Never pull it, fifty-fifty if information technology seems to connect by only the tiniest thread. If it gets yanked off as well soon, it could offset haemorrhage continuously. If this happens, call your baby's dr. immediately.

Infected umbilical cord or belly button

Healing belly buttons near ever wait worse than they really are, even when they're progressing normally. It'south 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 omphalos infection, or omphalitis:

  • Red pare or a red, swollen appearance at the base of the cord
  • A fluid-filled lump on or near your infant'south umbilical cord stump
  • Oozing pus or belch
  • Haemorrhage from the scab (though a little dried claret is normal)
  • Foul smell
  • Fever or sluggishness
  • Low ambition
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Crying when you bear upon the cord or the expanse effectually it

If you observe any signs of infection or your baby seems to be in hurting, call your pediatrician. A course of antibiotics will get your infant's bellybutton back to healing in no fourth dimension.

Umbilical string or belly button bleeding

Information technology's normal to spot a few drops of blood on your baby'due south diaper later on his stump falls off, but you should monitor any additional umbilical string bleeding closely. Contact your baby'due south physician if a small-scale amount of bleeding lasts for more than iii days.

If heavier navel bleeding won't end after x minutes of straight pressure level applied two times or if there's a blood stain that'southward more two inches beyond, immediately phone call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous bleeding or a sizable spot of blood at this very immature age (under a month) is a business concern and should get checked out.

Less is more than when it comes to caring for your babe's umbilical cord. If you keep the stump surface area dry and you exercise your all-time to avoid touching it when you diaper and dress your baby, this little piece of leftover peel should fall off in no time at all.