Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
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Umbilical care

By Raising Children Network
 
 
The umbilicus – or belly button – is what is left of the cord that attached your baby to you. This cord channelled food and oxygen from mother to baby. When your baby was born the cord was cut, but a small stump was left attached to his tummy.
  • Before and just after the umbilical stump falls off, keep the belly button clean but don’t bandage it.
  • If you think your newborn's umbilical stump looks unusual, or your newborn seems unwell and you are unsure what to do, consult your doctor or child health nurse.

During the first few days after birth the stump will get darker, will shrivel and eventually fall off. Sometimes it takes a week or two. If the cord hasn’t fallen off after more than two weeks, you can check with your maternal and child health nurse.

While the stump is drying up and just after it falls off you might notice some oozing around the belly button. This might be clear, sticky or brownish and leave a mark on the baby’s vest or nappy. This oozing is part of the healing process. It might also smell a little. 

Keep the area clean with water. You needn’t use soap, creams, antiseptics or alcohol to clean it and you don’t need to bandage the belly button.

If you’re still seeing sticky liquid several days after the stump has dropped off, see the doctor to find out if your baby has an infection. If his belly gets hot, red or swollen and he is feverish or otherwise unwell, see the doctor or child health nurse as soon as possible to find out if he needs antibiotics.

If your baby develops a lump near his belly button, it might be an umbilical hernia. It isn’t dangerous but you should see your doctor or child health nurse.

 
  • Last reviewed15-05-2006
  • References

    Victorian Parenting Centre (2003). C-Frame: connect, collaborate, change (CD-ROM). Melbourne:Author.

    Zupan. J., Garner, P., & Omari, A.A.A. (2004). Topical umbilical cord care at birth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001057. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001057.pub2.