Newborn
1 to 2 minutes to check and care for the area
6 steps
To care for a newborn's umbilical cord stump, wash your hands before touching the area and keep the stump clean and dry, allowing it to fall off on its own. For babies born in a hospital setting, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends not routinely using antiseptics. If there is spreading redness, pus, or a foul smell, seek healthcare guidance; if the baby also seems unwell or is feeding poorly, seek medical care promptly.
What is the umbilical cord stump?
After birth, the part of the umbilical cord that remains attached to the baby is called the umbilical cord stump. It gradually dries out and detaches on its own. While this happens, the surrounding skin may look different from the skin on the rest of the abdomen. Its appearance may change from one day to the next, so it is more useful to watch for signs such as spreading redness, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge.
There is no single number of days that applies to every baby. The time it takes for the stump to fall off varies; the most important thing is not to pull it and to follow the instructions provided at the maternity hospital or during medical appointments. If it does not fall off within the period indicated by the healthcare team, or if anything about its appearance concerns you, talk to the healthcare professional caring for your baby.
How to keep the belly button clean and dry
Wash your hands before and after caring for the baby. If the stump is clean, there is no need to handle it repeatedly. If it becomes dirty, clean it gently according to the instructions from the maternity hospital or pediatrician and dry it thoroughly without rubbing. The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends keeping the stump clean and dry for babies born in a hospital setting; antiseptics are not routinely necessary in this context.
Guidance may vary depending on the circumstances of birth and local protocols. If the healthcare team recommended a specific product, confirm which product to use, when to use it, and for how long. Do not mix products or start applying alcohol, chlorhexidine, ointment, or powder on your own. If you did not receive clear instructions, ask your healthcare provider for clarification.
Diapers, clothing, and bathing
During diaper changes, fold the front of the diaper down so the stump remains uncovered and free from pressure. Choose comfortable clothing that does not squeeze the abdomen or keep the area covered and damp. Belly bands, coins, closed dressings, or other objects placed over the belly button do not help healing and may irritate the skin.
During baths, avoid rubbing the stump. If it gets wet, carefully dry the area with a clean towel without trying to speed up the process of it falling off. If your family received different instructions regarding bathing or cleaning, confirm them with the healthcare team before changing the care routine.
What can happen while the stump is healing
The appearance of the stump changes as it dries. When it detaches, a small mark or a tiny spot of blood may be noticeable. Avoid pulling the area or trying to remove anything that appears to remain attached. If bleeding does not stop, returns, or occurs along with discharge, seek guidance.
A small pink, moist bump after the stump falls off may be an umbilical granuloma, but only a healthcare professional can assess what is happening and recommend appropriate care. Do not try to treat it with salt, alcohol, ointments, or home remedies. If the area is not healing as expected, an evaluation can prevent the family from trying different solutions without knowing the cause.
Warning signs in your baby's belly button
Seek healthcare guidance if the surrounding skin becomes red and the redness spreads, or if there is swelling, pus, or foul-smelling discharge. These signs may indicate an infection and require evaluation. Do not wait until the next routine appointment if the changes are worsening or if the baby appears ill.
Also pay attention to the baby's overall condition: fever, difficulty feeding, unusual sleepiness, intense irritability, or reduced responsiveness are reasons to seek medical care promptly, especially in a newborn. Tell the healthcare provider the baby's age and describe when the symptoms began. Do not try to compensate for waiting by applying products to the belly button.
What to avoid and how to prepare when seeking help
Do not pull the stump, cover it with tight bands, or apply herbs, teas, ashes, powder, coins, or ointments without professional guidance. The Brazilian Ministry of Health warns that inappropriate products and practices involving the stump may increase the risk of contamination. If someone recommends a different type of care, confirm it with the pediatrician or healthcare facility caring for your baby.
When seeking help, explain when the baby was born, whether the stump has already fallen off, when you noticed the change, and whether there is fever, difficulty feeding, or a change in behavior. If possible, describe the color and type of discharge. This information helps the healthcare team advise the family about how quickly the baby needs to be evaluated.
How to care for the umbilical cord stump
A simple and gentle routine that follows the care instructions provided for your baby
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1
Wash your hands
Wash your hands with soap and water before changing the diaper or touching the stump. This reduces the transfer of dirt from your hands to the baby's delicate skin. If you cannot wash them at that moment, sanitize them before continuing.
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2
Check the area gently
Check the base of the stump and the surrounding skin without pulling, squeezing, or trying to remove scabs. Look for redness spreading across the abdomen, swelling, pus, or foul-smelling discharge. A small amount of blood may appear when the stump detaches, but persistent bleeding should be evaluated.
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3
Clean only when necessary
If the stump is clean, leave it as it is and keep the area dry. If it becomes dirty, clean it gently according to the instructions from the maternity hospital or the healthcare professional caring for the baby and dry it carefully. Do not rub or apply antiseptic on your own: recommendations may depend on the circumstances of birth and local guidance.
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4
Avoid friction and moisture
Fold down the front of the diaper so that it does not cover or press against the stump. Choose clean, comfortable clothing without tight bands or fabric over the belly button. This helps prevent friction and moisture buildup.
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5
Let it fall off on its own
Let the stump detach on its own. Do not pull it even if it appears to be hanging by a thin strand. If the area remains moist, develops a small pink bump, or bleeds after the stump falls off, request an evaluation to determine what to do.
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6
Seek help if warning signs appear
Contact the pediatrician or healthcare facility if you notice pus, a foul smell, swelling, or spreading redness. If the baby has a fever, difficulty feeding, unusual sleepiness, or reduced responsiveness, seek medical care promptly and explain that the baby is a newborn.
What to look for in a newborn's belly button
Important Tips
Keep a clean change of clothes nearby in case the stump becomes damp.
Check the skin around the belly button during diaper changes and baths.
Write down when the stump fell off and any changes that caught your attention so you can tell a healthcare professional.
Keep your hands clean before and after caring for the baby.
Keep the instructions provided by the maternity hospital and the contact information for the healthcare facility caring for your family.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
How long does it take for a newborn's umbilical cord stump to fall off?
In general, the stump dries and falls off on its own, often within one or two weeks, although the timing can vary. Keep the area clean and dry and do not pull on the cord. If it remains attached longer than indicated by the healthcare team caring for the baby, seek guidance.
Do I need to use 70% alcohol on my baby's umbilical cord stump?
Recommendations may vary depending on the circumstances of birth and the guidance provided by the healthcare team. For babies born in a hospital setting, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends keeping the stump clean and dry, without routine use of antiseptics. If the maternity hospital or pediatrician recommended a specific product, confirm how to use it before changing the routine.
What should I do if my baby's umbilical cord stump gets dirty?
If the area becomes dirty, clean it carefully according to the instructions provided at the maternity hospital and dry it thoroughly without rubbing. Do not use powder, belly bands, coins, herbs, ointments, or other products on your own.
Can I pull the umbilical cord stump when it is almost falling off?
No. Let the stump detach on its own. Pulling it can injure the skin and cause bleeding. If it seems stuck, remains moist, or looks unusual for several days, talk to your pediatrician or healthcare provider.
What signs of infection in my baby's umbilical cord stump should I watch for?
Seek medical evaluation if there is redness spreading across the skin, swelling, pus, or foul-smelling discharge. If the baby also has a fever, is feeding poorly, is very sleepy, or is behaving differently, seek medical care promptly.
What could a small moist bump be after the umbilical cord stump falls off?
A small pink, moist area that remains after the stump falls off can have different causes, such as an umbilical granuloma, and should be evaluated to determine the appropriate care. Do not apply salt, ointment, or any other treatment without professional guidance.
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