When your baby comes home from the hospital, he/she will have had his/her umbilical cord cut.  Before it becomes a navel (belly button) the cord will dry up and drop off.

In the beginning, the cord will be clear or stained blue and it will be moist.  Within 10-14 days it will become hard and darkened, and it should fall off.

Daily cord care includes:
 

• Care for the cord by applying alcohol to the stump AFTER EACH DIAPER CHANGE.  Use a Q-tip to thoroughly clean around the stump site.

• Smell the cord often.  If a foul or bad odor is coming from his/her cord, call your physician.

• Continue the cord care 14 days after the cord falls off.

Danger signs:
 

• A foul or bad odor from the cord.

• Drainage that looks like pus.  A clear or light yellow discharge or a spot or two of blood is normal.

• Redness or swelling around the stump.

• A fever.

• A weak cry.

• A baby that won’t take a bottle or has a weak suck.

If any of the danger signs occur, see your physician.
 
 

Primary Care Practice, P.C.
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Columbia, TN
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