Belly-button stumps
Your baby’s cord stump, left
over from her umbilical cord, takes around a week to fall off and before this
happens you’ll need to take special care to ensure it stays free of
infection.
Cleaning
You should clean around the cord
stump once a day before you give your baby her sponge bath (it’s best to avoid
tub baths until after the cord stump falls off).
- Take off her diaper and clean
away any mess.
- Moisten a cotton wool ball
with warm water and gently wipe around the bottom of the stump, clearing away
any sticky, dirty or wet substances.
- Gently pat the area dry with a
soft towel or dry washcloth
- When the stump falls off
continue to clean around your baby’s navel carefully until the area is
completely healed.
- Keep your baby’s diaper
folded below the stump to stop it from rubbing that area and to prevent it
getting soiled by the contents of her diaper.
It’s normal for your baby’s cord
stump to look white, shiny, damp, gray, brown or black. If you notice a small
amount of fluid tinged with blood oozing out of it, don’t worry – this is also
normal and should heal within two weeks of the stump falling off.
Call your pediatrician if you
notice your baby’s skin is red, blotchy or tender at the base of the cord stump
or she cries when you touch the area; and if you notice any swelling or oozing that
lasts for two weeks after the stump has fallen off. You should also alert your
pediatrician if the tissue around your baby’s navel seems to bulge, as this
could be an umbilical hernia. These normally heal without treatment but your
pediatrician will want to check it.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.