Your baby's umbilical cord doesn't require much care or attention. Don't worry-there are no nerve
endings where the cord is attached, so touching or cleaning around the cord will not hurt your baby.
What if the cord does not fall off?
Most cords fall off within 10 to 14 days. Occasionally a stubborn cord will hang on by a
thread of tissue for three weeks. Every baby is different, so don't worry if your baby's cord stays
on for up to three weeks. Cords can't fall off too early either, so don't worry if your baby's cord
falls off after only one week. Contact your baby's nurse practitioner or doctor if the cord does not
fall off after three weeks.
What can you do at home?
Clean the base of the cord where it attaches to the belly once or twice a day with rubbing alcohol on
a cotton ball or antiseptic wipe.
You must lift the stump up, away from the skin, and apply the alcohol at the base of the cord.
Don't worry-there are no nerve endings there, so the alcohol will not sting. The purpose of the alcohol
is to help the area dry up, not to sterilize the area.
When you diaper your baby, fold the diaper down below the stump in order to speed up the drying
process. It is very important not to put any other preparations or powders on or around the cord.
What if you see some oozing before or after the cord has fallen off?
It is normal for some pussy material to occur where the cord tissue has decayed and fallen off.
It sometimes has a bad odor. You will probably want to wipe it away with an alcohol swab or cloth.
If the cord has fallen off, it is okay to open up the navel and rub the alcohol down in the
depression with a Q-tip. Remember to only use alcohol on this area, and not any other preparations or powders.
What if there is some bleeding around the cord before or after it has fallen off?
It is very normal to see a few drops of blood where the cord has separated. The area may
bleed before the cord comes off if the area has been rubbed by the diaper or the baby's clothing.
The bleeding usually stops by itself, or you can use a tissue or gauze to hold slight pressure to
the area.
Contact your baby's doctor or nurse practitioner right away if:
The plastic tie has come undone and the cord is bleeding
The spot of blood is the size of a quarter or larger
The bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes
The area continues to bleed for more than 3 days
A lot of drainage is coming out of the navel
Your baby has a temperature above 100 degrees
Pimples or blisters appear around the cord area
Red streaks appear on the skin around the cord
Your baby looks or acts sick
Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011
