Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

The Umbilical Cord and Bleeding?

I had my baby about two weeks ago--it will be two weeks tomorrow--and on Sunday when changing her diaper, her umbilical cord fell off. However, there is a little bit still in her belly button. We have left it alone as we want it to finish falling out on its own. Yet, just now, I was changing her diaper, I noticed blood spots on the inside of her onsie. I used a flashlight to better inspect her belly button and I noticed an odd smell. Now, I am not sure if it was diaper smell or belly button smell, but there was definately a smell. Also, the top part of the remaining cord is hard, but when you gently pull up on her button, there is a moisture beneath the "scab." I cannot get through to her pediatrician to ask about this, so I am asking here. Is this spotty bleeding normal for cords that have not completely fallen off?

Public Comments

1. A little bit of blood is normal. I noticed with mine, even before it fell off, it was loose and holding on by a scrap of flesh that it would still slightly bleed. And when it did fall off, there was also blood. My recommendation is to continously keep it clean. Instead of using those alcohol pads i was given, i dipped a q-tip into alcohol and cleaned her belly that way. With the q-tip being so small, its easier to get into all the crevices.
2. This happen with my son exactly the same way. But it's normal just leave it alone and it will go away.
3. That is perfectly normal. You know how when you have a scab and you rub up against something that it sometimes starts to bleed? Thats all this is. She rubs against her clothes and since her belly button is sensitive at this point it bleeds a little. My son did the exact same thing. You dont even have to clean it the more you leave it alone the less it will bleed. The smell is probably the diaper, and the moisture it perfectly normal too it will harden as well. I hope this helps you. Cynthia Adams RN I also saw that someone told you to keep it clean. I mean no offence to them but please dont mess with it the more you try to clean that little bit of dried blood up the more it will bleed! She should get it clean enough when she is in the tub.
4. it is normal. You still need to be cleaning it. It will go away all the way with the next week or so. Clean it every time you change the diaper.
5. the smell and the moisture is normal. My son's fell off after 4 days, talk about scared. Alittle bit was left but it never bled. make sure the bleeding doesnt continue. and to get the belly button to completley dry up, try pushing the belly button out so you can see where it was tied and use a alcohol wipe and wipe the wet areas. My son even had a greenish mucus looking stuff in the creases of his, but it healed with some good cleaning.
6. No. that umbilical cord bleeding is not normal..the odd smell, bleeding and the wet scab is a sign of an umbilical cord infection.. u better check ur pediatrician as soon as possible for further evaluation and management. for the meantime, u can clean that umbilical cord scab with antiseptic such as betadine or 70% alcohol..
7. Yes spotting is normal, and a smell can be normal as well. You are really looking for large amounts yellow or green discharge (NOT a scab, scabs are fine). Some are a little oozy with some yellow junk. Just keep it as dry as possible, try to keep diapers and clothes off of it (not easy if its cold). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=9836156&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google CONCLUSIONS: (a) Evidence does not support continued use of alcohol for newborn cord care; (b) health care providers should explain the normal process of cord separation, including appearance and possible odor; and (c) health care providers should continue to develop evidence to support or eliminate historic practices.
8. This is often normal, some babies have a tiny spot of blood, some don't. what I hated was the funky smell, I always wondered if it was rotting or something. Just wipe with alcohal like normal and give it a couple days to scab over, she'll be fine. Ps. Some cultures save the cord, some bury it...
9. Same exact thing happened to my son. What I did was used rubbing alcohol to keep it clean and help it dry out. It was fine after about a week.