Parent’s Guide: Umbilical Cord Care & Symptoms

🔎Identifying the Condition

Understand the difference between the normal healing process and a problem.

Normal Healing:

The cord dries up, turns dark (brown/gray), and falls off. After it falls off, the center may look red or ooze clear/blood-tinged mucus for a few days.

Umbilical Granuloma (Minor):

A small, pink/red growth in the center of the navel that appears after the cord falls off. It stays moist and doesn’t heal like normal skin. (Requires a simple doctor’s visit).

Omphalitis (Medical Emergency):

A bacterial infection. Look for redness spreading onto the belly skin around the navel, swelling, foul odor, or tenderness.

🏠Immediate Home Care

Standard “Dry Cord” Care (Before it falls off):

Keep it Dry: This is the most important rule. The cord must dry out to fall off.
No Alcohol: Do not clean the cord with rubbing alcohol (unless specifically told by your doctor). Alcohol kills the “good” bacteria that help the cord separate.
Sponge Baths Only: Avoid tub baths until the cord has fallen off and the area is healed.
Diaper Management: Fold the top of the diaper down to expose the cord to air and prevent urine/rubbing irritation.

Care After Cord Falls Off:

Cleaning: If there is crust or secretions, gently clean with a wet cotton swab and water. Dry carefully.
Bleeding: A few drops of blood are normal when the cord separates. If it bleeds, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth for 10 minutes.

🚩“Red Flags”: The Infection Check

The Red Streak: If you see a red streak running from the navel or red skin spreading outward onto the belly, this is an infection spreading (Omphalitis).
The Smell: A foul, rotting odor is often a sign of infection.

🚨 When to Get Help

Go to ER Now

Spreading Redness: Red skin spreads outward from the navel.
Bleeding: Bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure, or the blood spot is larger than 2 inches (5 cm).
Fever: Baby (under 12 weeks) has a fever (>100.4°F / 38°C).
Behavior: Baby looks or acts very sick/abnormal.

Call Doctor Today or Go to Urgent Care

Discharge: Lots of drainage (pus, mucus, urine) from the navel.
Sores: Pimples or blisters appear near the navel.
Bleeding: Spotting blood lasts more than 3 days.

Contact in 24hrs

Granuloma: A small piece of red tissue remains inside the navel.
Duration: The cord has not fallen off after 4-6 weeks.
Infection: Navel is not dry/clean after 3 days of home care.