Caring for Your Baby's Umbilical Cord Stump

That little stump on your newborn's belly—what's left of the umbilical cord—can look a bit alarming as it dries and falls off. But cord care is simpler than you might think, and the stump will be gone before you know it, leaving behind that adorable belly button.

What to Expect AAP

The timeline:

• At birth: Cord is clamped and cut, leaving a stump
• Days 1-3: Stump is yellowish-green, moist
• Days 4-10: Stump dries, shrinks, darkens (yellow → brown → black)
• 1-3 weeks: Stump falls off on its own
• After falling off: Small wound heals in a few days

Normal appearance changes:

• Initially yellowish-green and moist
• Gradually dries and shrivels
• May turn yellow, brown, then black
• Gets smaller and harder
• May smell slightly as it dries (normal)

How to Care for the Cord Stump AAP

The good news: modern recommendations for cord care are simpler than older approaches.

Current recommendations:

• Keep it clean and dry
• Let air circulate around it
• Allow it to fall off naturally
• No need for alcohol wipes (current guidance)
• No pulling or picking at it

Diapering around the cord:

• Fold diaper below the stump
• Many newborn diapers have cord notches
• Don't cover stump with diaper
• Air exposure helps drying

Bathing with cord stump:

• Sponge baths only until stump falls off
• Keep stump dry—avoid submerging
• If it gets wet, pat dry gently
• Don't scrub or rub the stump

What NOT to do:

• Don't pull or pick at the stump
• Don't try to speed up the process
• Don't cover with bandages
• Don't apply lotions or powders

When the Stump Falls Off

What to expect:

• Happens naturally between 1-3 weeks
• May find stump in diaper or on clothing
• A few drops of blood is normal
• Small amount of discharge (clear or yellowish) is normal
• A raw-looking spot that heals in a few days

After it falls off:

• Continue keeping area clean and dry
• Can begin tub baths once healed (usually a few days)
• Small amounts of blood/discharge may continue briefly
• Belly button may look red or raw temporarily

What's normal after falling off:

• Small raw area for a few days
• Slight bleeding or clear discharge
• Red/pink healing tissue visible
• Complete healing within a week

Signs of Infection AAP

Cord infections (omphalitis) are rare but serious. Know the warning signs.

Call your doctor if you notice:

• Redness spreading around the base onto belly skin
• Swelling around the stump or belly button
• Pus or foul-smelling discharge
• Bleeding that doesn't stop with gentle pressure
• Baby seems sick, has fever, or is unusually fussy
• Stump hasn't fallen off by 4 weeks

Signs requiring immediate attention:

• Red streaks extending from cord area
• Pus from the base
• Fever in newborn
• Baby lethargic or refusing to eat
• Foul odor (beyond normal drying smell)

Common Cord Care Questions

"It looks like it's about to fall off—can I pull it?"
No. Let it fall off naturally. Pulling can cause bleeding and increase infection risk.

"There's some blood when it falls off. Is that normal?"
A few drops of blood is normal. If bleeding continues or seems excessive, apply gentle pressure and call your doctor.

"The stump smells bad. Is it infected?"
A mild smell as it dries is normal. A strong, foul odor—especially with discharge or redness—may indicate infection.

"It's been 3 weeks and still attached. Is that okay?"
Usually fine. If it hasn't fallen off by 4 weeks, mention it to your pediatrician.

"Can I give a tub bath if I keep the stump dry?"
Sponge baths are easiest. Once stump falls off and heals (a few days later), tub baths are fine.

Umbilical Granuloma

Sometimes after the cord falls off, a small piece of extra tissue remains.

What it looks like:

• Small, pink/red, moist bump in belly button
• May have slight discharge
• Doesn't cause baby pain

What to do:

• Usually not concerning
• Your pediatrician can treat it (typically silver nitrate)
• May resolve on its own
• Mention it at next appointment

Umbilical Hernia

What it is: A bulge around the belly button when baby cries or strains

What it looks like:

• Soft bulge under or around navel
• More noticeable when crying
• Usually painless
• Can push back in gently

Is it serious?

• Usually not—most close on their own by age 1-2
• Rarely cause problems
• Surgery only needed if not closed by age 4-5
• Your pediatrician will monitor

The Bottom Line

Cord care is straightforward: keep it clean, dry, and let it fall off naturally. Most cords fall off within 1-3 weeks without any problems. Know the signs of infection so you can seek help quickly if needed, but trust that this is usually an uneventful part of newborn care.

Clara is here to answer questions about your newborn's cord care and development.