Definition

• Questions about how to care for the normal umbilical cord or navel in newborns
• The navel is also called the belly button or umbilicus
• The piece of cord that stays on the baby is called the umbilical stump

Health Information

Normal Cord

• Normal cords don’t need any special treatment.
• Just keep them dry (called natural drying).
• Reason: Cords need to dry up, before they will fall off.
• As they dry up, cords normally change color. They go from a shiny yellowish hue, to brown or gray.
• The cord will normally fall off between 1 and 3 weeks.

Normal Navel (Belly Button)

• After the cord has fallen off, the navel will gradually heal.
• It’s normal for the center to look red at the point of separation.
• It’s not normal if the redness spreads on to the belly.
• It’s normal for the navel to ooze some secretions.
• Sometimes, the navel forms a scab. It heals up and falls off on its own.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Normal cords don’t need any special treatment.
   • Just keep them dry (called dry cord care or natural drying).
   • Reason: Cords need to dry up, before they will fall off.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Normal Dry Cord Care:
   • If there are any secretions, clean them away. Use a wet cotton swab. Then, dry carefully.
   • You will need to push down on the skin around the cord to get at this area. You may also need to bend the cord a little to get underneath it.
   • Caution: Don’t put alcohol or other germ killer on the cord. Reason: Dry cords fall off sooner. (Exception: Instructed by your doctor to use rubbing alcohol).
3. Bathing:
   • Keep the cord dry. Avoid tub baths.
   • Use sponge baths until the cord falls off.
4. Diapers:
   • Keep the area dry to help healing.
   • To provide air contact, keep the diaper folded down below the cord.
   • Another option for disposable diapers is to cut off a wedge with a scissors. Then seal the edge with tape.
5. Poop on Cord:
   • Getting some poop on the cord or navel is not serious.
   • If it occurs, clean the area with soap and water.
   • This should prevent any infections.
6. What to Expect:
   • As they dry up, cords normally change color. They go from a shiny yellowish hue, to brown or gray.
   • The average cord falls off between 10 and 14 days. Normal range is 7 to 21 days. The cord can’t fall off too early.
   • After the cord has fallen off, the navel will gradually heal.

Call Your Doctor If

• Develops a red streak or redness around belly button
• Fever occurs
• Your baby starts to look or act abnormal
• You think your baby needs to be seen

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

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