When Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord Will Fall Off and What to Do

If you notice any signs of infection or your baby seems to be in pain, call your pediatrician. A course of antibiotics will get your baby’s belly button back to healing in no time.

Umbilical cord fell off but it looks a bit infected?

Her stump fell off yesterday and her belly button looks a bit red with some bleeding and a bit of yellowish puss in the centre. Google tells me two things:
1) this is normal – just keep it clean and dry
2) this is not normal – call practitioner immediately

Lexi’s looked the same. Doctor wasn’t worried. I never knew bellybuttons started off so gross. Lol

Part of the reason for these long wait times and short appointments is due to a nationwide shortage of physicians that is only getting worse. A report by the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that, due to population growth and specifically growth of the elderly population, the physician shortfall in the U.S. could reach 121,300 by the year 2030.

I believe normal. My sons looks the same and DR said last week that its normal to look a little red around the area and the yellow in the middle is just tissue healing. If there is actual puss leaking, bleeding that actual bleeds and not just dried blood, or hot to touch on the redness, it’s healing normal. And it’s getting better by the day. I noticed after a warm bath the day it fell off, it looked much better and cleaner.

Sounds normal. Monitor it and try to avoid touching it etc. but sounds like my sons did.

Original poster

Here’s a picture

That doesn’t look good to me

Hmm. It does look a bit red. Does she cry when you touch it? The yellow in the centre is what my baby’s looks like. But it’s redder on the outside.

Original poster

I cleaned the area with a warm facecloth a little while ago and dried it after and she didn’t seem bothered at all but she’s a tough little cookie.. I think I’ll take her in to get it looked at.. Too bad her new born photos are tomorrow morning lol. It’s not exactly picture ready.. Hoping it’s not a bad infection! Poor baby :(. This mom stuff is stressful!

In reply to KatoHarper

Here’s a picture

That’s exactly how my daughters looked and I was in a panic thinking it was infected. Normal! It went away!! I used qtips with water as well as alcohol swaps to dry it up.

Original poster

In reply to Ranza

That’s exactly how my daughters looked and I was in a panic thinking it was infected. Normal! It went away!! I used qtips with water as well as alcohol swaps to dry it up.

Ughhh.. I just got off the phone with a telehealth nurse who said that by the sounds of it, it’s normal. I feel so much better.. I’m still going to keep a close eye on it but I’m not freaking out as bad now. Thanks!

That’s how my little guys was too. I just washed it well in the bath and then wiped it with an alcohol wipe 3x a day (dries it out nicely) it’s looking 100 percent now

First page | Last page

Ask a question or share your story

Are you sure you want to delete?

Track your baby’s development

Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby’s development and yours throughout your pregnancy.

April 2015

Meet other parents of April 2015 babies and share the joys and challenges as your children grow.. more

Group owners

Group members (3339)

Group details

11852 posts
Created 21/02/14

advertisement
advertisement
TOP RESOURCES

Find your birth club
Meet local parents & parents-to-be
Discuter en français

POPULAR GROUPS

Debate team
Trying for a baby
Trouble conceiving
IVF support group
First time moms & moms-to-be
High-risk pregnancy
Swap baby name ideas
Sex & relationships
Life with a new baby
Breastfeeding support
Parents of toddlers
Coping with miscarriage

TOP RESOURCES

Before you begin
Ovulation & timing
Top 10 signs of pregnancy
Best sex positions
Ovulation calculator
Fertility tips for men
All about pregnancy tests
How ovulation predictors work
Fertility signs: cervical mucus
Can you choose your baby’s sex?
The cost of fertility treatments

POPULAR TOPICS

Trying for a baby
Your growing family
Sex & conception
Infertility & trouble conceiving

TOP RESOURCES

Symptoms you should never ignore
How big is your baby?
The best & worst foods for pregnancy
Due date calculator
Your first pregnancy scan
Planning maternity leave
Baby names finder
Hospital bag checklist
Signs of early labour
Parental leave & EI: your rights

POPULAR TOPICS

Your pregnancy week by week
How your baby’s developing
Early pregnancy guide
Labour & birth
Baby name inspiration

TOP RESOURCES

Baby milestones 0-6 months
Swimming with your baby
Immunizations: what to expect
How much formula?
Car seats: know the law
When can your baby sleep through?
7 surprising facts about fever in babies
Name that rash!
Baby poo: what’s normal?
8 reasons babies cough

POPULAR TOPICS

Newborn care
Top breastfeeding tips
Baby development
First foods

TOP RESOURCES

Toddler development milestones
Coping with tantrums
15 quick & easy meal ideas
Vitamin supplements for toddlers
How much milk does your toddler need?
Learning to talk
Ways to ease teething pains
Signs your toddler needs a doctor
Constipation in toddlers
Vomiting: what’s normal?

POPULAR TOPICS

Your toddler month by month
Potty training
Top sleep tips
Games & activities

TOP RESOURCES

Giving your child a healthy diet
How much sleep does your child need?
Coping with aggression
7 signs your child loves you
What to do about nail biting
Symptoms of scarlet fever
How kids learn to share
Help your child learn to read
Ways to avoid spoiling your child
All about molluscum contagiosum

POPULAR TOPICS

Your child month by month
Easy arts & crafts
Top behaviour tips
Bed wetting
Fun games & play ideas

TOP RESOURCES

Your body after birth
Healthy post-birth weight loss
Postnatal symptoms to watch out for
Managing postnatal depression
Sex & relationships
Finding the right childcare
Your rights & benefits
How to save money on baby costs
Trouble-free travel 0-8 months
When can you fly with your baby?
Does your baby need a passport?

POPULAR TOPICS

Life as a mom
Life as a dad
Family finance tips

TOP CONTENU

Ovulation et conception
10 signes de grossesse
Quelle est la taille de votre bébé?
Symptômes de grossesse à ne jamais ignorer
Toux, rhumes et grippes enceinte
Moyens naturels pour déclencher l’accouchement
Conseils de sommeil pour nouveau-nés
Quelle quantité de lait pour votre bébé?
Selles de votre bébé : normales ou pas?
C’est quoi cette rougeur?

THÈMES PRÉFÉRÉS

Votre grossesse étape par étape
Développement foetal
Choisir le prénom de votre bébé
Anticiper la naissance
Aliments solides

ABOUT BABYCENTER

Contact us
Community guidelines
Email subscriptions
Account details
Family information
Popular pages

OTHER SITES

BabyCenter US
BabyCenter en Español
Australia

Connect with us

Support for your parenting journey. Delivered to your inbox.

My Baby This Week Newsletter

Keep up with your baby’s development with personalized weekly newsletters.

The BabyCenter Bulletin

Get the latest parenting news, plus expert advice and real-world wisdom.

Special Offers from Our Partners

Receive discounts, deals and parenting information from BabyCenter’s partners.

You can unsubscribe from BabyCenter emails at any time.

When Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord Will Fall Off and What to Do

All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Our Medical Review Board includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, doulas, lactation counselors, endocrinologists, fertility specialists and more.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

on July 14, 2021

Latest update:

Meaghan Curry/Stocksy

Caring for baby’s umbilical cord after birth is simpler than it might seem. Here’s what you need to know.

When does the umbilical cord fall off?
What to do when the umbilical cord falls off
Umbilical cord care tips
Infected umbilical cord or belly button
Umbilical cord or belly button bleeding

Your baby’s umbilical cord stump is a funny little piece of skin that’s actually the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical cord is cut at birth, a bit remains still attached to his navel — and it’ll go through a metamorphosis during your baby’s early days.

Indeed, the color and look of the stump changes from yellowish-green to black and crusty as it dries up and then falls off. Frankly, it looks downright weird, even gross, but don’t be intimidated. Read on for easy care tips for your baby’s umbilical cord as well as what to do if you think something’s not right.

When does the umbilical cord fall off?

It may seem like it’s taking its sweet time, but the umbilical cord stump should dry up and drop away by the time your baby is 3 weeks old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

It’s possible the stump will fall away sooner, but if it’s lingering longer than that timeframe, make an appointment with the pediatrician to get it checked out.

What to do when the umbilical cord falls off

Most cords dry completely and then fall off, leaving behind a cute baby belly button. You might notice a small raw spot or a bit of blood-tinged fluid oozing out. Try not to worry — this is also normal. But if you notice more profuse bleeding, call the doctor.

In some cases, the cord may form reddish-pink scar tissue called an umbilical granuloma, which may secrete a yellowish discharge. This should clear up in a week, but if it doesn’t, check in with your baby’s pediatrician. An umbilical granuloma is a very treatable condition.

Umbilical cord care tips

Nowadays, the standard practice when it comes to caring for a newborn umbilical cord is to keep it dry. Skip the rubbing alcohol and other ointments, and follow these umbilical cord tips to promote good healing:

Infected umbilical cord or belly button

Healing belly buttons almost always look worse than they actually are, even when they’re progressing normally. It’s rare that a healing umbilical cord stump gets infected, but when it does, the condition is called omphalitis.

Watch for these symptoms of a newborn belly button infection, or omphalitis:

Red skin or a red, swollen appearance at the base of the cord
A fluid-filled lump on or near your baby’s umbilical cord stump
Oozing pus or discharge
Bleeding from the scab (though a little dried blood is normal)
Foul smell
Fever or lethargy
Low appetite
Abdominal swelling
Crying when you touch the cord or the area around it

If you notice any signs of infection or your baby seems to be in pain, call your pediatrician. A course of antibiotics will get your baby’s belly button back to healing in no time.

Umbilical cord or belly button bleeding

It’s normal to spot a few drops of blood on your baby’s diaper after his stump falls off, but you should monitor any additional umbilical cord bleeding closely. Contact your baby’s doctor if a small amount of bleeding lasts for more than three days.

If heavier belly button bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure applied two times or if there’s a blood stain that’s more than two inches across, immediately call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous bleeding or a sizable spot of blood at this very young age (under a month) is a concern and should get checked out.

Less is more when it comes to caring for your baby’s umbilical cord. If you keep the stump area dry and you do your best to avoid touching it when you diaper and dress your baby, this little piece of leftover skin should fall off in no time at all.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

View Sources

What to Expect the First Year, 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff.
WhatToExpect.com, What’s a Umbilical Granuloma and How Do You Treat It?, June 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, Cutting Baby’s Umbilical Cord: Should You Delay Clamping?, October 2018.
WhatToExpect.com, Baby’s First Bath, March 2019.
WhatToExpect.com, How to Treat Omphalitis in Newborn Babies, November 2020.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Umbilical Cord Care, December 2020.
PediaClinic, Umbilical Granuloma, 2020.
Seattle Children’s, Umbilical Cord Symptoms, March 2021.
Mayo Clinic, Umbilical Cord Care: Do’s and Don’ts for Parents, February 2020.
March of Dimes, Umbilical Cord Conditions, June 2016.

When Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord Will Fall Off and What to Do