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When you bring your newborn home, there’s a whirlwind of things to remember, from diapers to blankets. One aspect that often catches new parents off guard is caring for the umbilical cord. Feeling anxious about this is normal, especially if it’s your first time.
But here’s some reassurance: most of the time, the umbilical cord takes care of itself. So you don’t have to stress too much. Nature has been helping babies lose their cords for ages.
During pregnancy, the umbilical cord serves as a lifeline, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to your baby while removing waste products. When you give birth, doctors will safely clamp and cut the cord. Because the cord lacks nerves, neither you nor your baby will feel anything during this process. What remains is a small stump on your baby’s belly, typically ranging from half an inch to an inch in length.
Initially, the stump may appear shiny and yellow, but its colour may change to brown, grey, or even purplish or blue hues as it dries out. This is normal and part of the drying process.
Eventually, it will fade and darken before naturally detaching from your baby’s belly. This process is normal and usually takes 1-2 weeks before the stump dries up and falls off.
The umbilical cord stump usually dries up and falls off within 7 to 21 days after your baby is born. If it hasn’t fallen off by then, it’s a good idea to have your baby’s doctor check it out, as there could be an infection or an issue with your baby’s immune system. However, if it falls off sooner than 7 days without excessive bleeding or signs of infection, that’s fine.
There’s typically no need to worry unless the stump shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or oozing pus. As the stump dries up, it may change colour from greenish/yellow to brown and eventually black. Your main role is to keep the area clean and dry during this process.
After the stump falls off, you might notice a little blood on your baby’s diaper, which is normal newborn belly button bleeding. This is similar to how a scab might bleed when it comes off.
However, if the bleeding is continuous and doesn’t stop even after applying gentle pressure, or if it starts bleeding again after stopping, it’s important to contact your baby’s doctor. Continuous bleeding could indicate an infection or a bleeding disorder that needs medical attention.
Caring for your newborn’s umbilical cord stump is a crucial part of their early care routine. Ensuring the stump remains clean and dry is essential to promote proper healing and prevent infections. Below, you’ll find detailed advice on how to care for the umbilical cord, including recommendations for bathing, clothing, and diaper changes.
Experts recommend practising “dry cord care,” which involves allowing air to reach the cord without covering it in water or applying ointments, which means keeping the umbilical cord exposed to air and avoiding the use of water or ointments on it.
While it used to be a common practice to dab alcohol on the stump, nowadays, experts recommend leaving the stump completely alone because alcohol is believed to irritate the skin and sometimes delay healing. If you’re uncertain about how to care for your baby’s umbilical cord, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance and advice.
Giving your baby sponge baths is important until the umbilical cord has fallen off. Avoid bathing your baby in a sink or special tub during this time to prevent any potential infection of the healing umbilical area.
If your baby needs a bath, gently fan the area to dry it afterwards completely. Avoid rubbing the area dry, as this could lead to irritation and discomfort for your baby.
Even if it looks barely attached, allow your baby’s umbilical stump to fall off naturally—avoid pulling or picking at it. When it does come off, it’s common to see a small amount of blood, similar to when a scab falls off. If there is significant bleeding from the umbilical cord area, contact your baby’s healthcare provider immediately.
Opt for loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t apply pressure to the umbilical stump, or consider outfits with a specific cutout for this area. These allow for better air circulation and minimise rubbing, promoting a comfortable healing environment for your baby’s umbilical area.
To avoid irritation to your newborn’s umbilical stump, fold the top of the diaper down under the stump or opt for disposable diapers with a notch cutout at the top. This helps prevent the diaper from rubbing against the sensitive area, promoting comfort and aiding in healing.
Despite common beliefs, these practices won’t alter the shape of your baby’s belly button and could potentially cause harm. If you have concerns about the appearance of your baby’s belly button, it’s best to consult with your baby’s healthcare provider for proper guidance and advice.
Experts recommend practising “dry cord care,” which involves allowing air to reach the cord without covering it in water or applying ointments, which means keeping the umbilical cord exposed to air and avoiding the use of water or ointments on it.
While it used to be a common practice to dab alcohol on the stump, nowadays, experts recommend leaving the stump completely alone because alcohol is believed to irritate the skin and sometimes delay healing. If you’re uncertain about how to care for your baby’s umbilical cord, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance and advice.
Giving your baby sponge baths is important until the umbilical cord has fallen off. Avoid bathing your baby in a sink or special tub during this time to prevent any potential infection of the healing umbilical area.
If your baby needs a bath, gently fan the area to dry it afterwards completely. Avoid rubbing the area dry, as this could lead to irritation and discomfort for your baby.
Even if it looks barely attached, allow your baby’s umbilical stump to fall off naturally—avoid pulling or picking at it. When it does come off, it’s common to see a small amount of blood, similar to when a scab falls off. If there is significant bleeding from the umbilical cord area, contact your baby’s healthcare provider immediately.
Opt for loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t apply pressure to the umbilical stump, or consider outfits with a specific cutout for this area. These allow for better air circulation and minimise rubbing, promoting a comfortable healing environment for your baby’s umbilical area.
To avoid irritation to your newborn’s umbilical stump, fold the top of the diaper down under the stump or opt for disposable diapers with a notch cutout at the top. This helps prevent the diaper from rubbing against the sensitive area, promoting comfort and aiding in healing.
Despite common beliefs, these practices won’t alter the shape of your baby’s belly button and could potentially cause harm. If you have concerns about the appearance of your baby’s belly button, it’s best to consult with your baby’s healthcare provider for proper guidance and advice.
According to research, approximately 36 percent of newborns experience umbilical cord infections.
As the healing process takes place, it’s common for belly buttons to appear more concerning than they are, even if they’re progressing as expected. While it’s rare for a healing umbilical cord stump to become infected, when it does, the condition is referred to as omphalitis.
Keep an eye out for the following signs indicating a newborn’s umbilical infection, known as omphalitis:
If your baby develops an infection, their doctor will provide specific instructions for cleaning the cord and may prescribe topical and oral antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection.
Additionally, it’s important to contact your doctor if your baby’s belly button doesn’t seem to be healing properly after the stump falls off. While some redness and sensitivity are normal, there shouldn’t be any discharge, pus, or bleeding.
After the umbilical stump has naturally detached, some babies might develop what’s known as an umbilical granuloma. This is a small pink, red, or discoloured lump around the belly button. In some cases, the lump might ooze.
Typically, this condition resolves within about a week. However, your paediatrician may recommend cauterising the granulomatous tissue if it persists to encourage healing.
If you notice a bulge or swelling near your baby’s belly button, it could be an umbilical hernia. These hernias are often more prominent when your baby cries or strains during bowel movements. While they may look concerning, umbilical hernias are typically not dangerous and don’t cause discomfort to your baby.
An umbilical hernia is typically not considered serious and tends to resolve independently within the first 12 to 18 months of life. However, for reasons yet unknown, it may take longer to heal in African American babies.
Surgical intervention may be necessary in rare cases where the hernia persists beyond 3 to 5 years of age.
When your baby’s umbilical cord stump is still attached and healing, it’s best to avoid giving it a full bath in water to prevent the stump from soaking. Instead, opt for sponge baths two or three times a week. To give your baby a sponge bath, gather your supplies: warm water, a washcloth, baby soap, cotton swabs or balls, towels, a fresh diaper, and clothes.
Here’s how to bathe a baby with their umbilical stump still attached:
When cleaning around the umbilical cord stump, avoid getting it wet. You can use a wet cotton ball or swab to clean the skin around the stump area. Once the stump falls off and the belly button heals, you can resume giving your baby regular baths in a baby bathtub.
The umbilical cord stump typically falls off within 10 days to 3 weeks after birth.
After it falls off, a little bleeding at the site is normal, but it should stop quickly and doesn’t require medical attention. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or child health nurse for guidance.
It’s best to allow the umbilical cord stump to fall off naturally. Making it fall off faster can delay healing and increase the risk of infection or scarring. Keep the area clean and dry, and it will usually detach within a few weeks after birth.
Signs that your baby’s umbilical cord is infected may include:
Your baby’s belly button typically heals completely within a few days after the umbilical cord stump falls off. It’s normal for a little bleeding or oozing during this time. However, if you notice continuous stickiness or discharge, it could indicate an infection, and it’s important to seek advice from your doctor or child health nurse.
Sometimes, the belly button doesn’t fully heal, and moist red tissue may develop over the stump site, forming a small lump known as a ‘granuloma’. While granulomas are usually harmless, it’s still a good idea to have your doctor or child health nurse examine them to ensure no complications.
The umbilical cord stump typically falls off within 10 days to 3 weeks after birth.
After it falls off, a little bleeding at the site is normal, but it should stop quickly and doesn’t require medical attention. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or child health nurse for guidance.
It’s best to allow the umbilical cord stump to fall off naturally. Making it fall off faster can delay healing and increase the risk of infection or scarring. Keep the area clean and dry, and it will usually detach within a few weeks after birth.
Signs that your baby’s umbilical cord is infected may include:
Your baby’s belly button typically heals completely within a few days after the umbilical cord stump falls off. It’s normal for a little bleeding or oozing during this time. However, if you notice continuous stickiness or discharge, it could indicate an infection, and it’s important to seek advice from your doctor or child health nurse.
Sometimes, the belly button doesn’t fully heal, and moist red tissue may develop over the stump site, forming a small lump known as a ‘granuloma’. While granulomas are usually harmless, it’s still a good idea to have your doctor or child health nurse examine them to ensure no complications.
1. American Academy of Pediatrics: Umbilical Cord Care
2. American Pregnancy Association: Umbilical Cord Care
3. American Journal of Epidemiology: Risk Factors for Umbilical Cord Infection among Newborns of Southern Nepal
4. Healthline: Everything you need to know about baby belly buttons
5. Healthy Children: Bathing Your Baby
6. Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing Volume 27: Alcohol versus natural drying for newborn cord care
7. National Institute of Health: National Library of Medicine: The Effects of Two Bathing Methods on the Time of Separation of Umbilical Cord in Term Babies in Turkey
8. National Institute of Health: National Library of Medicine: Cord Care Practices: A Perspective of Contemporary African Setting
9. Raising Children: Umbilical care
10. Seattle Children’s Hospital: Umbilical Cord Symptoms
11. WebMD: Umbilical Cord Care
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