One of the first things you’ll notice about your newborn is their umbilical cord stump. Proper care is essential to ensure healing and prevent infection. Here’s everything new parents need to know about caring for their baby’s belly button in those first few weeks.
Understanding the Umbilical Cord Stump
After birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving a small stump attached to your baby’s belly button. This stump typically dries up and falls off within 1 to 3 weeks. Proper care will help it heal naturally and prevent complications.
How to Care for Your Baby’s Belly Button
1. Keep It Clean
- Use a soft, damp cloth or cotton ball with warm water to gently clean around the stump.
- Avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can delay healing.
- Wash your hands before touching the area to prevent infection.
2. Keep It Dry
- Allow the stump to air dry as much as possible.
- Avoid covering it with a diaper—fold the diaper down to keep it exposed.
- Dress your baby in loose clothing to allow airflow.
3. Avoid Pulling or Picking
- The stump will naturally fall off when it’s ready. Do not pull on it, even if it looks like it’s hanging by a thread.
- Some dried blood or oozing is normal when the stump detaches.
4. Give Sponge Baths
- Until the stump falls off, stick to sponge baths instead of full tub baths.
- Once the area is fully healed, you can transition to regular baths.
Signs of a Healing Belly Button
- The stump gradually dries out, shrivels, and darkens before falling off.
- A small amount of dried blood or a slight yellow crust is normal.
- Once the stump detaches, the belly button may look raw but will heal quickly.
When to Call the Doctor
While the healing process is usually smooth, contact your pediatrician if you notice:
- Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or pus around the belly button.
- A bad smell coming from the stump.
- Persistent bleeding that doesn’t stop.
- Umbilical granuloma, which appears as a small pinkish lump after the stump falls off. This may require medical attention but is usually not serious.
- Umbilical hernia, a bulge near the belly button that becomes noticeable when the baby cries. Most umbilical hernias resolve on their own, but your doctor can monitor it.
The "Innies" and "Outies"
Caring for your baby’s belly button is simple with a little attention and patience. By keeping the area clean, dry, and free from irritation, you can ensure a smooth healing process. If you ever have concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician. Before you know it, your baby’s adorable belly button will be fully healed and ready for all those tummy-time moments!