When does Umbilical Cord fall off?

Babies in their mother’s womb receive oxygen and nourishment through the placenta, which is attached to the uterus’ inner wall. The umbilical cord connects the placenta to the baby through an opening in its abdomen. After a baby is born, as a painless procedure, the umbilical cord is cut close and this leaves a stump attached to its body.

If you are about to have a baby or just had one, then questions like what will happen to the umbilical stump, when does the umbilical cord falls off and more might be lurking in your head. Find the answer to these and other below.

When Does the Umbilical Cord Fall?

The umbilical stump dries up and drops off within 7 to 21 days of the baby’s birth. When it falls, it leaves a small wound behind which may take a few more days to heal. When the stump falls, a little bleeding is visible in the baby’s diaper and this is perfectly normal. In some cases, a clear or yellowish fluid also drains out of the wound with some tiny of lumpy flesh remaining called umbilical granulomas. These could disappear by themselves or need treatment, so it would be better to see a doctor in such circumstances. Since they do not contain any nerves, the treatment is painless for the baby.

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How To Take Care Of The Umbilical Stump?

Here are some things you can do to look after your baby’s umbilical stump.

#1. Keep it clean and dry, and make sure that nothing puts pressure on it. You can buy diapers with space cut for an umbilical stump or fold the diaper away from it.

#2. Until the umbilical stump falls off, refrain from giving tub baths to your baby, and go for sponge baths.

#3. Since air circulation speeds up the wound drying process, make your baby wear just a loose shirt and a diaper, if the weather is warm.

(Image Courtesy: Baby Center)

#4. Also, keep in mind to never try to pull the stump off even when it is almost detached. Give it time to dry and fall off itself completely.

While American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) once recommended cleaning the base of the stump with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, studies have observed that untreated stumps heal faster than the ones cleaned with rubbing alcohols.

Though umbilical cord stump infections are rare, these can happen. Signs indicating an umbilical cord infection are:

#1. If you baby cries when you touch the cord or the skin close to it.

#2. If a foul smell or yellowish discharge is coming from the stump.

(Image Courtesy: Baby Center)

#3. If the skin around the base of the stump is turning red.

If you see any of these symptoms in your baby, it would be best to see a doctor soon.

We hope to have answered all your questions regarding the umbilical cord falling off. If there’s anything else that you’d like to know, then tell us through your comments below.

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