Your baby's umbilical string stump is a funny piddling piece of skin that's really the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical string is cut at nascency, a chip remains still attached to his navel — and information technology'll become through a metamorphosis during your baby'southward early days.

Indeed, the color and wait of the stump changes from yellow-greenish to black and crusty every bit it dries upward and then falls off. Bluntly, it looks downright weird, even gross, but don't be intimidated. Read on for easy intendance tips for your baby's umbilical cord as well as what to do if yous call back something's not right.

When does the umbilical cord fall off?

It may seem like information technology's taking its sweet time, but the umbilical cord stump should dry out up and drop abroad by the fourth dimension your infant is iii weeks erstwhile, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

It'south possible the stump will fall away sooner, but if information technology'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 completely and then fall off, leaving backside a cute baby navel. You might notice a small raw spot or a bit of claret-tinged fluid oozing out. Endeavor not to worry — this is also normal. But if you notice more profuse haemorrhage, call the doctor.

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

Umbilical string intendance tips

Present, the standard practice when it comes to caring for a newborn umbilical cord is to proceed it dry out. 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 dirty, dab it gently with a moisture washcloth and and so pat the area with a dry fabric. (It's unlikely you'll need to do this, as the cord usually stays pretty clean.) Avoid using soap, which tin irritate a baby's tender peel.
  • 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 enough. In one case the stump falls off, feel gratis to bathe your baby in his pint-sized tub.
  • Diaper delicately.Avert covering the stump with the top of his diaper. Some newborn-size disposables feature a little notch at the waistband, or you tin simply fold down the forepart 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's healing cord.
  • Clothes delicately likewise.Cull loose-fitting article of 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, endeavour kimono-style 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 it, even if it seems to connect by only the tiniest thread. If it gets yanked off likewise soon, it could start bleeding continuously. If this happens, phone call your baby's doctor immediately.

Infected umbilical cord or abdomen button

Healing belly buttons almost ever expect worse than they actually are, even when they're progressing normally. Information technology's rare that a healing umbilical string stump gets infected, merely when it does, the condition is called omphalitis.

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

  • Red skin or a ruby-red, swollen appearance at the base of operations of the cord
  • A fluid-filled lump on or most your baby'southward umbilical cord stump
  • Oozing pus or belch
  • Haemorrhage from the scab (though a fiddling dried blood is normal)
  • Foul smell
  • Fever or lethargy
  • Low appetite
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Crying when you touch the string or the area around it

If you find any signs of infection or your infant seems to be in pain, call your pediatrician. A course of antibiotics will become your infant's umbilicus back to healing in no time.

Umbilical cord or belly button haemorrhage

Information technology's normal to spot a few drops of blood on your baby'south diaper later his stump falls off, but you should monitor any additional umbilical cord bleeding closely. Contact your babe's doctor if a small amount of bleeding lasts for more three days.

If heavier navel haemorrhage won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure applied two times or if in that location'southward a blood stain that's more than two inches across, immediately telephone call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous bleeding or a sizable spot of blood at this very young age (nether a month) is a concern and should go checked out.

Less is more than when information technology comes to caring for your babe's umbilical string. If yous keep the stump area dry and y'all exercise your best to avoid touching it when you diaper and clothes your babe, this little piece of leftover skin should fall off in no time at all.