My sons umbilical cord is still attached... need help!

Nakia - posted on 11/06/2012

we have 2 things in common.. the first is that our sons were both born on Nov 8 and the second is that they both still have their stump. I assume it is normal. He is my 3rd child, and everythings seems to be different with him. I apply alcohol each time I change his diaper, it looks like it is about to fall off,but if it doesn't by the end of this week I am calling his pediatrician. Hope all goes well with you. If you call before the end of the week please advise me what they say and I will do the same to you.

Lina - posted on 12/27/2009

Thanks ladies well it finally came off after 5 1/2 weeks the doctor put some silver Nitrate twice to make it fall off

Renae - posted on 12/13/2009

4 weeks isn't too long, its not unusual to take longer than that. Get some sterile alcohol wipes from the pharmacy, becareful only to use it on the stump not get it on his skin because it will make his skin very dry. It will dry out the stump and help it fall off.

Leanne - posted on 12/11/2009

Actually.. When I had my son (eight months ago) they had told me that using alcohol to help the cord fall off isn't recommended anymore. They said you should use only clean, clear water. It only took around a month (four weeks) for our son's cord to come off.

Shanell - posted on 12/10/2009

Use rubbing alchol I did on my son's. It doesn't hurt them either so don't worry about that. Keep folding down the diappers and let it get air as much as possiable. My son lost his the 2nd week he was born.

Liz - posted on 12/10/2009

That's what we used, and it got to the point to where it was just barely hanging on there. Just keep cleaning it each time you change your babys diaper, make sure you are just giving your baby a sponge bath until it falls off, and it will come off as soon as its all dried up! I almost took my son to the doctor because everyone kept saying "shouldnt that have come off by now?" but there isnt anything special that you can do to make it fall off any faster.

Lina - posted on 12/09/2009

Quoting Liz:

My son didnt lose his until he was almost 5 weeks old! What are you cleaning it with?

I am cleaning it with acohol

Gail - posted on 12/07/2009

I cant remember when it gell off but i know it stayed there for weeks with my son. just make sure you clean it each day with some cooled boiled water and cotton wool it should just drop off itself but if you are worried take him to your GP (doctor) or ask at your earest Chemist (pharmacy) to put your mind at rest...

Liz - posted on 12/07/2009

My son didnt lose his until he was almost 5 weeks old! What are you cleaning it with?

Lina - posted on 12/07/2009

Ladies thank you all for the good advice
WHAT I DID WAS GO TO THE DOCTORS TODAY AND HE PUT SOME THING ON IT AND TOLD ME LIKE YOU LADIES SAID TO LET IT FALL OFF BY ITS SELF THAT ITS NORMAL AND IT LOOKS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OFF FOR ME TO RELAX SINCE HE IS MY FIRST I FREAK OUT FOR ANY LITTLE THING LETS SEE HOW IT GOES.

Chelle - posted on 12/05/2009

fold the front of the nappy so the stump is out.....no need to clean it all the time if its not sticky and sore....just one or two times a day then pat dry with cotton wall will be enough. dont use alcohol rub...you dont need to. when in the bath dont let the belly botton go under the water or get too wet. never twist it or pull it......i stuck to that and my daughters fell off in 10 days. if it takes more then 6weeks go to the doctors and they might recomend something. good luck :)

Jessica - posted on 12/05/2009

Dont pull or cut it off...it will fall off on its own. Just continue to clean it. My sons took a little longer than most babies to fall off and it finally feel off. All I did was every other diaper change I cleaned it. Good Luck!

Annemarie - posted on 12/05/2009

Just keep cleaning it,Don`t cut it off or pull at it.it has to fall off by itself and it will,just be patient.Good Luck!!!

Eva - posted on 12/05/2009

It takes 10 weeks to fall off!

Cynthia - posted on 12/04/2009

There really isn't anything that you can do to make it fall off, it will come off when it's ready. It's not uncommon for it to take up to 6 weeks at times. Just keep doing what you're doing and everything will be fine. Just one tip, be sure to only give your son sponge baths until the cord falls off in order to keep the stump dry.