Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

Newborn & umbilical cord???

My son is 8 days old and his umbilical cord has not fallen off. I was just wondering how long this process can take. Any parents been through this? I think part of the problem might be that his naval sticks out really far and it is covering the some of the umbilical cord therefore the end of it is still slimy looking while the other half has completely dried up. I am cleaning it with every diper change. What should I do? Any other Ideas on how to make it dry out faster?

Public Comments

1. Just have patience and keep it clean. It will fall off when the time comes. If you are really worried about it, show it to the doc on your next visit.
2. surgical spirit sometimes can take 2 weeks to fall off
3. keep diaper off of it and let it get air , it will fall off , dont forget to put it in the baby book
4. It sounds pretty normal, it does get slimy and stinky before falling off. You don't have to "clean" it with anything. They now say alcohol doesn't help, just leave it alone.
5. Just keep it dry! If there is no redness around don't worry. 5-12 day is "normal" period to cord fall off.
6. it will fall off on its own.
7. Yes, it seems like forever before the darn thing falls off. I've had four kids and have felt the same way you do each time. It just seems like it takes so long but in hindsight it will fall off in its own time and I think in the long run it is just really annoying. There isn't anything to worry about unless you feel it is infected. Hang in there.
8. My son's fell off when he was 2 weeks old. The only thing I know to help it dry up faster is to rub with rubbing alcohol several times a day.
9. Unless it is really gross, stop putting alcohol on it. I found that if you do NOTHING, they dry up and fall off quicker.
10. I cleaned my babies cords with just pure water. It took about 2 weeks for my son and a little longer for my daughter. It will dry up and fall off eventually so don't worry. It will do it's own thing when the time comes.
11. Give the little guy a break!!! It should take at least 2 weeks for that to start drying up. Leave it alone, make sure the diaper doesnt catch on it or irritate it. You could be making it worse by cleaning it so often, and irritating it, moisture will cause infection, so just let it dry up and dont worry about it. Make sure the diaper is folded down in the front, or get the ones with the little gap for newborns, maybe try and keep his belly button area exposed to the air. Make sure it is not red and swollen around the base, it could be a sign of infection
12. just make sure you keep cleaning it with alcohol, it usually takes a couple weeks, definatily more than 8 days. it will fall off on its own.
13. My son's took about 2 1/2 weeks to fall off. Don't use alcohol on it as thtat can just burn the open area. It will fall off soon. As long as it doesn't smell or look infected its ok. Keep the diaper folded down so that it gets air to dry up.
14. My son's took several weeks!!!! At one point it was hang by what looked like a string!!! I on the other hand was told by my Doctor to take a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol and clean it at the base. Hold you finger and sort of apply pressure to the base of the belly button so it pops up and clean around what will look like fresh skin. The baby might cry but its not because it hurts but because the alcohol is cold. If you aren't using the baby diapers that have the little cut out for the belly buttom - simply fold the diaper down so the belly buttom is exposed. This will also help the drying process.
15. it will take a little time to fall off no worries it will soon