Umbilical Cord: Essential Lifeline Connecting Mother and Baby
– The umbilical cord stump typically falls off within two weeks after birth
– To care for the stump, keep it dry and avoid covering it with the front of the baby’s diaper
– Sponge baths can help keep the stump dry
– Let the stump fall off on its own, do not pull it off
– Some bleeding near the stump is normal, but contact a healthcare provider if there is oozing pus, red and swollen skin, or a pink moist bump
– Prompt treatment is needed for umbilical cord infections
– Contact a healthcare provider if the stump has not separated after three weeks, as it could indicate an underlying problem
– The umbilical cord stump should dry and fall off by the time the baby is 5 to 15 days old
– Keep the stump clean with gauze and water only
– Do not put the baby in a tub of water until the stump has fallen off
– Watch for signs of infection, including foul-smelling yellow drainage, redness, swelling, or tenderness around the stump
– Contact the baby’s healthcare provider if the baby has poor feeding, fever, lethargy, or poor muscle tone
– If the cord stump is pulled off too soon, it could cause active bleeding
– Sometimes the cord may form pink scar tissue called a granuloma, which may drain light-yellowish fluid and usually goes away in about a week
– If the stump has not fallen off in 4 weeks, there may be a problem with the baby’s anatomy or immune system