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Umbilical stump
The umbilical cord stump should be kept clean and dry. Use sponge baths for your baby until the cord falls off, then you may start tub or sink baths. Do not pull the cord stump off, even if it is only attached by a small section, let it fall off on its own.
Dr. Jeff Livingston reviewed this
24 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
How long it usually lasts:
Related questions
A member asked:
How do I care for my baby's umbilical stump?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
My newborn's umbilical stump is still attached and he is 1 and a half months. Is this normal?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
I gave my 4 day old a sponge bath, his umbilical stump got wet and bled a few drops. What will happen if it falls off too soon?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
After the umbilical stump falls off, is the belly button opening supposed to close up? My 3 week old's fused shut. Should it be reopened?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 42-year old asked:
How do you handle the umbilical cord stump?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old male asked:
Is it normal if umbilical cord stump bleeds?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
Should we save our baby's umbilical cord stump?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
My sister thinks I should keep my baby's umbilical cord stump for our baby album. Isn't that overdoing it?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old female asked:
When should the umbilical cord stump fall off? My baby is 15 days old and it's still firmly attached. I'm starting to worry it won't ever fall off.
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
My newborn is a week and 6 days old and her umbilical cord stump fell off but at the bottom still looks open is this normal?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
How long after silver nitrate is applied to the umbilical cord stump will it dry up?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A female asked:
Newborn is 4 days old and there is foul odor coming from umbilical cord stump but no discharge. Is this normal?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 26-year old female asked about a male:
My sons umbilical cord stump fell off this morning and I noticed he has some inside his naval, I changed his diaper about an hour ago and I noticed its bleeding a little bit, what should I do? Pediatrician appointment is Dec 4
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
What are the risks of an untreated umbilical?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
What are risks of an excessively coiled umbilical cord?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old asked:
Can adults get umbilical hernias?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
What can be done for umbilical hernias?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old female asked:
Is a straight umbilical cord dangerous?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old asked:
When will my infant's umbilical cord fall off?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Why is the umbilical cord red and blue in color?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
How far does an umbilical cord drug test go back?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old female asked:
Is cutting the umbilical cord painful for the baby?
4 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
Do umbilical hernias cause discomfort on the average?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
Umbilical cord wont fall off. What surgery does dr do?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
Would it be acceptable for the umbilical cord to bleed?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 28-year old asked:
Will the doctors let my partner cut the umbilical cord?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
What is the difference between Phantom Pain & Stump Pain?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
Does it hurt when the doctors cut off the umbilical cord?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 57-year old female asked:
What do splenorenal and prominent umbilical varices mean?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old female asked:
Is it best to have all umbilical hernias surgically addressed?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
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