Umbilical Cord: Care Instructions

Overview

After the umbilical cord is cut at birth, a stump of tissue remains attached to your baby's navel. It usually falls off between 1 and 2 weeks after birth. Keeping the stump and surrounding skin clean and dry helps prevent infection. It may also help the stump to fall off and the navel to heal faster.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Keep the area clean and dry.

• Keep your baby's diaper folded below the stump. If that doesn't work well, before you put the diaper on your baby, cut out a small area near the top of the diaper to keep the cord open to air.

• To keep the cord dry, give your baby a sponge bath instead of bathing your baby in a tub or sink.

• Know what to expect.

  • It's normal for the stump to turn brown, gray, or even black as it dries and heals.

  • You may notice a red, raw-looking spot right after the stump falls off. A small amount of fluid sometimes tinged with blood may ooze out of the navel area. This is normal.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.