Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

Umbilical cord?

My baby's umbilical cord is about to fall off. Its barely hanging on, I was noticing however, where it already detached, its red and looks weird. Could this be an infection ? There's no smell. How will I know if its infected ? Thanks

Public Comments

1. It is probably just blood, but you could get it checked out just to be safe. It will smell (like you mentioned) and ooze if infected.
2. How to detect infection: 1.Have your child's physician requisition a blood test 2. Get the blood test done 3. Check for elevated white blood cell count If WBC is elevated PATHOGEN AHOY get that sucka some antibiotics (You MIGHT need a script for this part... again, the physician will have to play a small role) BTW you might want to try this physician thing on a regular basis when abnormal medical things occur with your child. Unless you want it to die. Then just ask strangers over the internet.
3. A little redness can be normal. Is there any drainage or discharge? Is it yellow or green? I would make sure to keep it clean and dry and if it's stil a concern have the Dr. take a look at it. Good luck and congrats on the new baby!
4. Hun, it will look like that for a few days as it is healing skin. You only need to be concerned if it gets all weepy, oozy and smells bad. Both my kids umbilical cords looked the same as you are describing and it will pass in about 5 days to a week. Just keep an eye on it and remember to only clean it will water and gently dry it, but leave it alone after that.
5. If it is infected it would smell So baby should be ok
6. i believe this is normal (according to my midwife) my youngest now 21 weeks his cord looked terrible and was hanging off it also bleed a good bit and when cleaning it looked like part of bellybutton was popping out but he was checked out for a hernia but was told he was ok.if infected will be puss oozing out and might be small odour from it.Get you're midwife or health visitor to check it out for you if you are unsure they will be more than happy to advise you.good-luck
7. It will be red. A part of your baby is coming off. Just like if you had a scab and picked at it, it would be red and sometimes might bleed. You can clean it with an alcohol wipe or a q tip with alchol as well. My baby's smelled horrible when it was about to fall off but the doctor did a home visit and he was fine.