Your baby's umbilical string stump is a funny piffling piece of skin that'southward actually the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical cord is cut at birth, a bit remains still attached to his omphalos — and it'll get through a metamorphosis during your babe'southward early on days.

Indeed, the colour and expect of the stump changes from yellowish-green to black and crusty as information technology dries up and so falls off. Frankly, it looks downright weird, fifty-fifty gross, only don't exist intimidated. Read on for easy intendance tips for your infant's umbilical string as well as what to do if you call up something's not correct.

When does the umbilical string fall off?

It may seem similar it's taking its sweet time, simply the umbilical cord stump should dry out upwards and drop abroad past the time your infant is three weeks one-time, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

It'south possible the stump volition fall away sooner, but if it'due south 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

Most cords dry completely and and so fall off, leaving backside a cute baby belly push button. You might notice a pocket-sized raw spot or a fleck of blood-tinged fluid oozing out. Try not to worry — this is also normal. But if yous observe more profuse bleeding, call the doctor.

In some cases, the cord may class ruby-pink scar tissue called an umbilical granuloma, which may secrete a yellowish belch. This should articulate up in a calendar week, but if information technology doesn't, bank check in with your baby's pediatrician. An umbilical granuloma is a very treatable condition.

Umbilical cord intendance tips

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

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  • Keep it clean.If the stump gets dingy, dab it gently with a wet washcloth and then pat the surface area with a dry textile. (It's unlikely you'll need to practise this, as the cord commonly stays pretty clean.) Avoid using soap, which can irritate a baby's tender skin.
  • Air the stump out. Help the base dry by regularly exposing it to air.
  • Stick to sponge baths.Don't dunk that navel underwater for now — sponge baths are plenty. Once the stump falls off, experience free 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 characteristic a little notch at the waistband, or yous tin can simply fold down the front of the diaper to keep it from rubbing the stump area.
  • Change diapers frequently. Change wet and dirty diapers promptly so they don't leak upward toward the navel and aggravate your babe'south healing cord.
  • Wearing apparel delicately too.Choose loose-fitting wearable that doesn't press against the stump or outfits with a special cutout for this area. Instead of onesies that snap at the crotch, attempt kimono-style bodysuits, which tie on the side for more air circulation and less rubbing.
  • Resist touching or pulling.Allow the scab fall off on its own. Never pull information technology, even if it seems to connect by simply the tiniest thread. If it gets yanked off as well before long, information technology could start haemorrhage continuously. If this happens, telephone call your infant's doctor immediately.

Infected umbilical cord or belly button

Healing belly buttons almost always wait worse than they actually are, even when they're progressing commonly. It'south rare that a healing umbilical string stump gets infected, simply when information technology does, the condition is chosen omphalitis.

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

  • Red peel or a red, swollen appearance at the base of the cord
  • A fluid-filled lump on or near your baby'south umbilical string stump
  • Oozing pus or belch
  • Bleeding from the scab (though a picayune dried claret is normal)
  • Foul smell
  • Fever or lethargy
  • Low appetite
  • Intestinal swelling
  • Crying when you touch the string or the area around it

If y'all find any signs of infection or your baby seems to be in pain, telephone call your pediatrician. A grade of antibiotics volition get your infant'due south belly push back to healing in no time.

Umbilical cord or omphalos bleeding

Information technology'due south normal to spot a few drops of claret on your baby's diaper after his stump falls off, but you should monitor any additional umbilical cord bleeding closely. Contact your baby'due south doctor if a pocket-size corporeality of bleeding lasts for more than than three days.

If heavier belly push button bleeding won't stop after ten minutes of direct force per unit area applied two times or if there'south a blood stain that'due south more than two inches across, immediately telephone call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous haemorrhage or a sizable spot of claret at this very young age (under a month) is a concern and should become checked out.

Less is more than when it comes to caring for your baby'due south umbilical cord. If you lot keep the stump area dry and you do your all-time to avoid touching information technology when you diaper and dress your infant, this little piece of leftover peel should fall off in no fourth dimension at all.