Want to know how to care for the umbilical cord stump attached to your newborn’s belly button? Follow these tips to help it heal.

Why babies still have umbilical cords

The umbilical cord carries nutrients and oxygen to the baby during pregnancy. After birth, the umbilical cord is no longer needed. So, as soon as the baby is born, medical professionals clamp and cut it. This leaves a short stump.

take care of the stump

The baby’s umbilical cord stump needs to dry before falling off. In most cases, the residual limb falls off between 1 and 3 weeks of age. In the meantime, be gentle with the area.

• Keep the stump dry. Air out the stump to dry the roots. Fold the front of your baby’s diaper down, leaving the cut edges uncovered. Alternatively, cut a small section of the diaper with scissors and use tape to seal the edges. Place half of the tape on the inside of the diaper and half on the outside of the diaper.
• Do not wipe the stump with rubbing alcohol. Do not use this on stumps unless directed by a medical professional.
• Remove any liquid around the stump. Clear or blood-tinged fluid may ooze from around the umbilical cord stump. If you are concerned about dirt, please wipe it off with a wet cotton swab. You may need to gently press down on the skin around the umbilical cord stump to get to all the fluid. You may also need to bend the cord stump a little. Then pat dry with a clean cloth. Expose the umbilical cord stump to the air.
• Remove any feces attached to the cord. This helps prevent infections. Wipe the dirty area of ​​the cord using a towel dampened with soap and water. Pat dry with a clean cloth and leave the stump exposed to air.
• Use a sponge bath. These may make it easier to keep the stump dry than a regular bath. In between sponge baths, wipe or pat down the areas that need cleaning. Use a warm, damp sponge or cloth. You can also put a little bath wash on it if you want. Next, rinse the cleaned area with a wet sponge or cloth. Dry with a dry towel or washcloth. It’s okay if the umbilical cord stump gets wet. There is no problem if the stump gets wet.
• Allow the stump to fall naturally. Do not pull out the stump yourself.

When to contact your baby’s health care professional

It is common for the umbilical cord stump to change color before it falls off. It is also typical to see a small amount of blood near the stump. For example, if the stump gets caught on something, a small amount of bleeding may occur. Or it may be caused by the diaper chafing. Also, like a scab, the stump may bleed a little as it peels off.

However, you should contact your baby’s health care professional immediately if:

• Bleeding from the stump may worsen or you may notice a few drops of bleeding even after three days.
• The belly button area oozes a thick liquid, especially if it is yellow in color. This is called pus.
• The area may turn red or have red stripes. Symptoms of this infection may be difficult to see on people with dark skin. So feel your skin. Infected skin often feels warmer than uninfected skin.
• The area becomes tender, swollen, and has a bad odor.
• Your baby may have a fever, become extremely tired or irritable, or have a reduced supply of breast milk.

These may be symptoms of an umbilical cord infection. Prompt treatment is required to prevent the spread of infection.

Also, if the stump does not fall off after three weeks, consult your baby’s health care professional. Your baby may need treatment for medical problems such as infections or immune system conditions.

February 10, 2024

Show references

1. Palazzi DL Other Umbilical Care and Management of Umbilical Diseases. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed October 16, 2023.
2. Umbilical Cord – Umbilical Cord Care. Pediatric patient education. https://publications.aap.org/patiented. Accessed October 16, 2023.
3. Jana LA and other baby bath basics. In: Heading home with a newborn: from birth to reality. 4th edition American Academy of Pediatrics. 2020. https://www.aap.org/en/shopaap. Accessed October 16, 2023.
4. Umbilical cord – A mild infection of the umbilical cord or navel. Pediatric patient education. https://publications.aap.org/patiented. Accessed October 16, 2023.
5. Umbilical cord – Bleeding. Pediatric patient education. https://publications.aap.org/patiented. Accessed October 16, 2023.
6. Umbilical cord – Separation delayed for more than 3 weeks. Pediatric patient education. https://publications.aap.org/patiented. Accessed October 16, 2023.
7. Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. October 17, 2023.

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