Basic Newborn Care: The Umbilical Cord Stump

Basic care of a newborn’s umbilical cord stump means gently keeping the navel area clean and dry, without unnecessary treatment or attempts to speed up healing. If the stump looks unusual or your baby’s condition worries you, contact a healthcare professional.

While the navel heals, it’s important for parents to know what’s normal during routine care and which changes need attention. This article explains how to care for the umbilical cord stump and what not to do.

• 8% Share of babies born in hospitals in developing countries who, according to the supplied material, develop omphalitis
• 1 раз в день How often the navel area is rinsed in the described daily care routine
• 3 Main signs of infection listed: redness, pus-like discharge, and an unpleasant smell
• 1 Additional warning sign: an increase in the size of the cord stump

How do you care for a newborn’s umbilical cord stump every day?

Rinse your newborn’s cord stump with clean water each day and gently pat it dry: the main rule of care is to keep the navel area clean and dry. Don’t rub the skin or try to speed up healing; gentle, routine cleaning helps keep the stump free of dirt.

After it gets soiled

If urine or stool gets on the cord stump, rinse the soiled area with clean water and gently pat it dry. Don’t leave traces of discharge on the skin: clean the area after it gets soiled, even if you’ve already rinsed the navel that day.

How to keep the navel uncovered

The diaper shouldn’t cover the cord stump: position its edge below the navel so the fabric doesn’t cover the area. Daily care requires just two steps—clean water and careful drying; the routine described here doesn’t call for any special products.

How can you tell if the umbilical cord stump is healing normally?

The cord stump is usually healing normally if the navel area stays clean and dry, with no spreading redness or pus-like discharge around it. A small amount of discharge from the stump doesn’t necessarily mean there’s inflammation; even a slight smell should be assessed along with the appearance of the skin and discharge, not on its own.

What to look out for

Cleanliness and dryness are important during normal healing: if urine or stool gets on the navel, rinse it and gently pat it dry. Check the area every day, noting whether redness is spreading, the discharge is becoming pus-like, or the cord stump is getting larger.

• A small amount of discharge: This can occur without other signs of inflammation.
• Smell: A slight smell alone doesn’t confirm an infection; it’s more concerning when accompanied by redness or pus-like discharge.
• Healing time: This varies from child to child. It depends on the size of the cord stump and the baby’s maturity; healing may take longer in a premature baby.

If the skin around the stump becomes red, pus-like discharge appears, or an unpleasant smell occurs together with changes to the skin, contact a doctor: these signs may indicate an infection of the umbilical cord stump. Don’t judge it by healing time or smell alone.

What changes may indicate an infection of the navel?

Signs that need medical attention

Redness of the skin around the cord stump, pus-like discharge with an unpleasant smell, and an increase in the size of the stump may indicate an infection; show these changes to a doctor. Omphalitis is an infection of the umbilical cord stump that can occur when bacteria get into the unhealed wound.

• Red skin: Contact a doctor if the skin around the cord stump turns red.
• Pus and smell: Pus-like discharge together with an unpleasant smell and changes to the skin needs medical assessment. A slight smell or a small amount of discharge without signs of inflammation doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an infection.
• An increase in the size of the cord stump: If the stump has become larger, show it to a doctor—it may be a sign that something is wrong.

It’s important to keep the cord stump clean and dry: if it gets soiled with urine or stool, rinse the navel area and pat it dry. If you notice any of the changes listed above, don’t rely on home care alone: a doctor needs to assess the stump and determine whether there’s an infection.

What should you avoid when caring for the umbilical cord stump?

Why self-treatment can get in the way

When caring for the cord stump, don’t treat it with antiseptics unless a healthcare professional recommends it, pull off the stump, tuck it under the diaper, or ignore signs of inflammation. These actions may irritate the healing area, make it harder to keep clean and dry, or delay seeking help.

For routine care, it’s enough to keep the navel clean and dry: if urine or stool gets on it, rinse the area and gently pat it dry. Don’t apply brilliant green or other colored antiseptics on your own: they can make it harder to assess the appearance of the skin. Don’t pull on the stump or try to make it fall off sooner—healing usually happens without this kind of intervention.

• A small amount of discharge: On its own, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an infection if there are no other signs of inflammation.
• Pus, redness around the stump, or an increase in its size: These are reasons to seek medical help, not to continue treating it at home.
• Diaper: Don’t cover the stump with it; soiling and lack of airflow make it harder to keep the area dry.

When is it enough to monitor the stump, and when should you contact a doctor?

If your newborn’s cord stump is clean and dry, and the surrounding skin isn’t red and there’s no pus-like discharge, continue rinsing it daily and dry the navel area thoroughly. A small amount of discharge doesn’t necessarily mean there’s inflammation: monitor the skin and cord stump for changes.

Signs that need medical attention

Contact a doctor if you notice redness around the stump, pus, or an increase in the size of the cord stump. An unpleasant smell is especially concerning when it occurs together with these changes; don’t assess the condition based only on smell or any other single sign.

• You can continue routine care: The stump is clean and dry, the surrounding skin isn’t red, and there’s no pus. Rinse it daily and dry it thoroughly.
• Contact a doctor: There’s redness or pus, the stump is getting larger, or an unpleasant smell occurs together with other changes. Omphalitis—an infection of the umbilical cord stump—needs medical assessment, not home treatment.

How common is omphalitis?

In developing countries, omphalitis is reported in 8% of babies born in hospitals. However, this figure applies only to the stated context and doesn’t show the risk for all newborns. It can’t be applied to every country, birth setting, or individual baby.

Omphalitis is an infection of the umbilical cord stump, which bacteria can enter before it has healed. To help prevent infection, keep the stump clean and dry: rinse the navel area every day, pat it dry, and prevent it from getting soiled with urine or stool.

If the stump is clean and dry, it usually heals without intervention. If the skin around the navel becomes red, there’s pus-like discharge or an unpleasant smell, or the cord stump gets larger, these may be signs of infection—seek medical help.

Frequently asked questions

Key takeaways

• Rinse the navel area every day and pat it dry.
• If urine or stool gets on the stump, clean and dry it right away.
• Don’t cover the cord stump with a diaper or treat it with brilliant green unless prescribed.
• Redness, pus, and an increase in the size of the stump are reasons to contact a doctor.

Written byAnastasiya Dyakova

Анастасия Дьякова специализируется на вопросах ментального здоровья мам и поддержке в послеродовом периоде. Она стремится предоставить читателям полезные советы и вдохновляющие истории, способствующие укреплению связи между матерями и их детьми. Ее подход основан на эмпатии и научных исследованиях.