when does the umbilical cord fall off?

[PotatoFace]

It has been 15 days since Madeleine's birth and she still has her umbilical cord stump. It's black and dried up, and starting to come away. Also, when I clean it, how many times a day should I do it? Every time I change her nappy? And I notice that when I clean it, I get a bit of red blood on the alcohol swab, it doesnt hurt her though.

[Rose Bud]

If it's starting to come away, don't worry about it! It'll come off. Nicholas's dried up and fell off quick beacuse of the bililights he had to be under because of his jaundice, perhaps a little sun will help speed up the drying?

[where'smyhalo?]

i think just clean it every time you change the diaper. i stopped using the alcohol after like, 5 days and it came off about 2 days later. no bleeding or anything.

[Clementine]

Every diaper change.
A little bit of blood is ok because sometimes clothing and movement can peel bits of it away too soon. It'll be fine as long as it's allowed to fall off naturally.
It can take three weeks to fall off.

Here's a good link for info:
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/127.html


What are the signs of infection?
Consult your healthcare provider if: • Your child develops a fever (http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyills/babyfever/84.html) or appears unwell.

• The navel and the surrounding area become swollen or red.

• Pus appears at the base of the stump.

[PotatoFace]

thanks. when i wasnt using the alcohol it was drying faster. julie(sac) told me to just use water and dry it really well.

[writingpsycho]

Adrienne's only took a week, but some other babies I know took 3 weeks.

[dormilona]

good thread. thank you!!! i was wondering about this.

[garoux]

One of our friend's had a baby in December and it took just over two weeks. The funny thing is, it fell off and the parents never found it. It happened while Mommy was at work and Daddy was watching the baby. Daddy went to do a diaper change and it was gone.

I'm a little weirded out by the people who keep it and put into glass jar or tape it in a scrap book. Hair, I understand, but the umbilical cord stump?

[writingpsycho]

keeping the umbilical cord stump (which i did not do) is not as bad as keeping the skin from the circumcision! ew!

[PotatoFace]

i have the stump!

i dont know if i am going to keept though.


ohh and dont do the alcohol thing either. it prolonged hers falling off. i stopped doing that and just washed it with warm water and dried it really well and the next day if fell off.