Newborn umbilical cord care

newborn belly button · umbilical cord care · cord stump care · baby navel care · umbilical stump

After the hospital, your baby has a piece of umbilical cord left. It dries and falls off on its own, and the spot heals. Your job is to keep it clean and dry.

For all newborns in the first weeks of life.

⏱ Duration: the stump usually falls off in 1 to 3 weeks, and the spot heals in a few more days

Be sure to tell your doctor

If the skin around the navel turns red, swells or smells bad
If fluid or blood oozes from the spot
If the stump has not fallen off after 3 weeks
If your baby has a fever or is limp

How to prepare

Cleanliness. Wash your hands before caring for the navel.
Dryness. Usually dry care is advised now: keep the navel clean and open to the air. Ask your pediatrician whether any treatment is needed.
Diaper. Fold the top of the diaper below the navel so it does not rub or get wet.
Bathing. Your pediatrician will say whether you can bathe your baby in a tub.

What to bring

Clean cotton swabs and wipes
Diapers
Boiled water

How it goes

Wash your hands
Look at the navel and the skin around it
If the spot got dirty, rinse it with boiled water and pat dry
Leave the navel open to the air for a few minutes
Put on a diaper, folding the top below the navel
Do not pull on the stump, even if it is almost off

What you'll feel

It does not hurt your baby. The cord has no nerves
A drop of blood when the stump falls off is possible and passes

Afterwards

After the stump falls off, keep the spot clean for a few more days
Do not cover the navel with plasters or dressings
Show the navel to your pediatrician at the home visit

Contact a doctor straight away if

Redness around the navel is spreading, swelling, pus or smell: see the pediatrician urgently
Your baby has a fever, is limp or feeds poorly: call your local emergency number
Bleeding from the navel does not stop

Common questions

Do I need to put antiseptic dye on the navel?

Usually not now. It is enough to keep it clean and dry. Check with your pediatrician.

The navel bulges when my baby cries. Is that dangerous?

Often it is an umbilical hernia, which is common in babies. Show it to the pediatrician, who will say what to do.