Definition

• Questions about how to care for the navel in newborns
• The navel is also called the belly button or umbilicus
• The umbilical cord has already fallen off

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. What You Should Know:
   • The cord can’t fall off too early.
   • The average cord falls off between 10 and 14 days. Normal range is 7 to 21 days. Even if it falls off before 7 days, you can follow this advice.
   • 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. Let it heal up and fall off on its own.
   • The navel has a small risk of becoming infected.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Normal Navel Care:
   • Keep the navel (belly button) clean and dry.
   • If there are any secretions, clean them away. Use a wet cotton swab. Then, dry carefully.
   • Do this gently to prevent any bleeding.
   • Caution: Don’t use any rubbing alcohol. Reason: can interfere with healing.
3. Bathing:
   • After the cord falls off, continue sponge baths for a few more days.
   • Help the belly button area dry up.
   • Then, tub baths will be fine.
4. Diapers:
   • Keep the navel dry to help healing.
   • To provide air contact, keep the diaper folded down below the navel.
5. What to Expect:
   • The belly button should be healed and dry by 7 days.

Call Your Doctor If

• Develops a red streak or redness around belly button
• Fever occurs
• Cloudy discharge 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.

 #AAP