Don't know what to do when umbilical cord falls off

Holly - posted on 05/25/2012

One way to make sure it is getting clean/staying dry/healing faster is to use a q-tip. If you dip it in rubbing alcohol & gently swirl it around, it gets down into the creases better & helps clear out the "goop".

Jenny - posted on 05/08/2009

Wow thanx everybody, lot's of helpfull tips on what to do when the umbilical cord falls off and no confusion as everyone seems to be saying the same thing. It fell off completely this morning. I'm cleaning it at every nappy change, I just don't want to press on too hard when cleaning. thanx again everyone xx

Amie - posted on 05/07/2009

Actually a slight odor is normal. You shouldn't be able to notice it though unless your really close to baby. If you can notice it from a bit of a distance (say arms length) then its' infected. It is after all a piece of flesh dying. Gross way to think about it but it's true.

You should clean it during every diaper change with rubbing alcohol. If not every diaper change then at least 3-4 times a day. It'll help it dry up faster and keep it clean. No infection then. =)

Also once it's just hanging on by a couple threads it is safe to pull it off. If it doesn't come off with a slight sharp tug though just leave it be, it's not ready. My doctor did this to my last 2 babies. I almost fainted when she did it the first time. After that keep cleaning it out at least 2-3 times a day until all the gooky stuff is dry and it looks like a normal belly button. =)
Hope that helps. Your little one is so adorable. I have a 5 week old and already am feeling the baby fever again.... haha.

Sarah - posted on 05/07/2009

I used to just clean and dry gently around it with cotton tips at nappy changes if it looked crusty and dirty. It can look gross for a while and sometimes a little blood but shouldn't be smelly.

Mel - posted on 05/07/2009

just keep it clean and it will be fine

Jenifer - posted on 05/07/2009

Sounds normal, and it will heal on its own. The only thing you need to do it make sure it stays dry.

Denay - posted on 05/07/2009

Keeping it clean is all you need to do. I had the same concern when my daughters feel off and I call the health nurse and asked my Dr. and they both said it was nothing and to just keep it clean

Jenny - posted on 05/07/2009

Quoting Jenny:

Don't know what to do when umbilical cord falls off

My baby is 12 days old and her dried umbilical cord is half hanging off. I don't know what to do once her umbilical cord falls off completely as underneath it's still soft and a yellowy creamy color?

Thanx, it's put my mind at rest a little bit more now. I will still prob panick a bit  when it does drop off lol, but now i know a little more i'll just make sure it stays clean. Thanx for your comments guys xx

Shandy - posted on 05/07/2009

Well I think my daughers cord fell off a little early, so it bled a little. I would clean it everytime I changed her for a while. Other than that nothing. Your baby is beautiful by the way!

Melanie - posted on 05/07/2009

It should dry off completely on its own and fall off. You don't need to do anything when her umbilical cord falls off. My sons fell off when he was 3 days old. I know its scary looking but all you do is keep it clean, the yellow part will dry on its own.

Jenny - posted on 05/08/2009

Wow thanx everybody, lot's of helpfull tips on what to do when the umbilical cord falls off and no confusion as everyone seems to be saying the same thing. It fell off completely this morning. I'm cleaning it at every nappy change, I just don't want to press on too hard when cleaning. thanx again everyone xx

Jenny - posted on 05/07/2009

Quoting Jenny:

Don't know what to do when umbilical cord falls off

My baby is 12 days old and her dried umbilical cord is half hanging off. I don't know what to do once her umbilical cord falls off completely as underneath it's still soft and a yellowy creamy color?

Thanx, it's put my mind at rest a little bit more now. I will still prob panick a bit  when it does drop off lol, but now i know a little more i'll just make sure it stays clean. Thanx for your comments guys xx

Melanie - posted on 05/07/2009

It should dry off completely on its own and fall off. You don't need to do anything when her umbilical cord falls off. My sons fell off when he was 3 days old. I know its scary looking but all you do is keep it clean, the yellow part will dry on its own.