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My infant's umbilical cord won't fall off! Help!

Brittany - posted on 09/29/2010 ( 6 moms have responded )

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My son is a month and week old and his umbilical cord won't fall off. He has such an innie that it stays wet. The doctor told me to blow dry it on cool a few times a day which I did but an hour later it was all wet again, so I started pulling it out gently and taping it over to the side with a bandaid so that it could dry out and while that seems to have helped, it is still firmly there. HELP!! One can only live off of sponge baths for so long.

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6 Comments

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Jennie - posted on 01/02/2013

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My baby did not lose hers until she was 6 weeks 1 day old.

Amanda - posted on 09/29/2010

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I'm sorry Sherri, I was giving information that I was given by both my midwife and doctor.

Sherri - posted on 09/29/2010

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Amanda: As a new parent
it can sometimes be intimidating to give your baby his or her first bath. If the baby still has the umbilical cord attached there are some steps that should be taken in order to care for the delicate cord.

Your newborn's first few baths will take place without being submerged in water. This is important so as not to get the belly button area where the umbilical cord is still attached wet. To prevent infection from taking place it is recommended that you clean the surface area around the cord with an alcohol soaked swab. This helps dry up the base of the cord and clean the surrounding area.
How long will my baby have an umbilical stump?

In about 10 to 21 days, the stump will dry up and drop off, leaving a small wound that may take a few days to heal.
Does the stump require special care?

It must be kept clean and dry. Fold the baby's diaper below the stump (or buy newborn diapers with a cut-out space for the cord) so it's exposed to the air and not to urine.

Until the cord is gone, usually about two weeks, you must give the baby a bath using a soft washcloth and a mild baby soap
.
This information is from two different sites that state stump should remain completely dry. Sponge baths only until stump falls off.

Amanda - posted on 09/29/2010

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I have always given baths to my babies while they still had their cord on. I have been told that bath's were ok. Also, with my first it took 5 weeks for his cord to come off and I was told that if it didn't come off by a certain time(don't remember when), I was supposed to go to the doctors and it would be removed there. Good luck!

Sherri - posted on 09/29/2010

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I was told take a Q-Tip and dip it in rubbing alcohol and do this everytime you change there diaper.

Klarissa - posted on 09/29/2010

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Brittany,
I am not sure if this will help you or not but you can try rubbing alchol and see if that helps, but you can also just let the cord be exposed to air and let it air dry on its own
hope this helps and good luck

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