The umbilical cord connected Baby to the placenta during pregnancy, but after birth, it is clamped and cut, leaving the umbilical stump. The stump may not be Baby‘s cutest feature, but just remember that it will fall off on its own about 1 to 3 weeks after birth.
How to care for the umbilical stump of your newborn
The good news is that caring for Baby’s stump is simple. When you leave the hospital, it will be small, mostly dry, and yellowish in color. The clamp placed onto the cord after birth will generally be removed before you go home, but it’s harmless to leave on for longer. Over the next few days, the stump will shrink in size and turn darker or black in color.
In the past, cord care involved different cleansers, alcohol wipes, or strictly keeping it dry. Now we know that less is definitely more when it comes to cord care. You can avoid actively cleaning the area around the cord and bathing Baby as if it isn’t there. Keeping the area uncovered and dry may mean the stump falls out more quickly. However, getting the area wet at bathtime is safe and does not increase the risk of infection. You can choose between a swaddle bath or a sponge bath, depending on what works best for you and Baby.
Because the skin around the stump is easily irritated, be sure that waistbands or diapers don’t rub against the healing site. Many newborn diapers have a cut-out area that leaves space for the umbilical cord. Diapers without the cut-out can be folded down to leave the same space.
Does healing hurt?
While it is important to be careful, the healing umbilical stump is not painful for Baby. There is no need to worry about holding them against your chest so that you can continue with skin-to-skin contact. As the stump begins to dry up and become loose, don’t pull it or pick at it. It’s important that the stump falls off naturally when it’s ready to.
Things to watch out for
Occasionally, the umbilical stump does not heal properly. Redness, swelling, oozing, and odor are all signs that an infection is present, as are more generalized symptoms like fever, fussiness, and vomiting. Contact the pediatric provider if this happens.
After the stump falls off, it is normal to see some oozing at the base. This does not mean the area is infected. You may see a bit of blood on the top of Baby&;s diaper, which is also normal unless it is actively bleeding. If there is active bleeding or the stump gets pulled out by accident – apply pressure with a clean towel or gauze. Just like when the stump was still attached, watch for swelling, redness, oozing, a foul smell, and generalized symptoms of infection like fever, nausea, or loss of appetite. Any concerns or active bleeding should be addressed with Baby‘s provider.
When will the umbilical stump be fully healed on my newborn?
While it can take one to two weeks for the umbilical stump to fall off, expect another 7 to 10 days of healing after the stump falls off. This may seem like a long process, but be patient, and Baby’s umbilical stump will be gone and healed before you know it.
Reviewed the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Umbilical cord care: Do’s and Don’ts for parents.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, February 10, 2024. Web. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/umbilical-cord/art-20048250
- American Academy of Pediatrics. “Umbilical Cord Care.” Healthy Children. 12/28/2020 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Umbilical-Cord-Care.aspx
