What is the umbilical cord?
The umbilical cord is basically a tube that connects the developing fetus to the placenta. The cord is referred to as the baby’s “supply line,” because it carries the baby’s blood back and forth between the baby and the placenta. It also provides the growing baby with nutrients from the placenta.
What is the umbilical stump?
After your baby’s birth, the umbilical cord is no longer needed. It will be clamped and cut, though a tiny portion will be left behind on the baby’s abdomen. This cute little stump will become your baby’s belly button.
What do I do about the stump?
Nothing really! In most cases, it falls off on its own between one and three weeks after birth. Just a heads up, as the stump dries out and the belly button develops, it is very normal and typical for the stump to have a very strong odor.
It’s important to:
- Keep the stump dry and clean. Exposure to air as much as possible will help the stump shrink and fall off.
- Avoid putting harsh disinfectants on the area around the umbilicus, like alcohol. A gentle cleanser such as castile soap and warm water can be used to clean the skin surrounding the stump. However, it is not necessary to apply anything directly to the stump itself.
- After bath time, gently pat the area dry. If you see dried blood or skin in the stump, this is normal. It will work its way out with time.
- Ensure your baby’s diaper is not rubbing or irritating the belly button area. Newborn size disposable diapers often have a cutout for this exact purpose. If they don’t, you can simply fold the front edge of the diaper inward to keep it off of the stump.
- Let the stump fall off naturally. Do no cut, trim, or pick at it. Messing with the stump may lead to an infection or other problems.
What do I do after the stump falls off?
After the stump falls off, you will finally be able to see your baby’s adorable little belly button. It’s important to remember there might be a little blood and white pus around the area, which is normal. However, continue to monitor the area to ensure the infection is not occurring.
What do I do in the case of an infection?
It’s not uncommon to see some blood around the umbilicus area as the area heals, but if you notice pus, swelling, redness of the skin or surrounding area, puffiness, or the site is hot to the touch, contact your care provider.
What is an umbilical granuloma?
About 1 in 500 newborn babies develop something called an umbilical granuloma, a clump of tissue around the belly button that forms due to inflammation or infection. It occurs after the stump has fallen off and is a result of excess scar tissue. It looks like a small pink or reddish ball inside the belly button surrounded by some yellow or white colored fluid. The surrounding area might be a little pink and tender, too. There is no substantial evidence to suggest why this happens to some babies and not others, but it is treatable by a doctor and completely harmless in most cases.
Can an umbilical granuloma hurt my baby?
Though the infection itself might be uncomfortable for your baby, the treatment is painless because there is no nerve ending in the tissue itself. Often, doctors will use silver nitrate to cauterize the area and prevent further spreading of the infection. Over the next few days following treatment, the granuloma will subside and reduce in size.
Final Thoughts
We know it can be scary if you spot anything remotely alarming on your baby’s body. Still, the good news is that even if your baby does develop a granuloma, it is easily treatable, mostly painless, and will not cause long-term damage. We suggest keeping a close eye on your baby’s developing belly button, ensuring it is clean, dry, and handling it with care.