Umbilical cord care

The umbilical stump (along with the clamp) usually falls off after about 5 to 14 days. It heals and forms your baby’s umbilicus (belly button).

Before falling off, the umbilical cord stump:

• dries
• shrinks
• gets darker

Sometimes, especially in the day or so before it falls off, the stump can ooze or bleed a little. It may leave marks on your baby’s clothes. A scab will form after the umbilical cord stump has fallen off.

Don’t pull the cord stump off, even if it looks like it will come off easily. Pulling it off can delay healing and cause scarring. Also, do not remove the clamp yourself— it will fall off on its own with the umbilical stump. If you would like the clamp removed earlier, speak to your midwife as they can remove it safely. 

When the umbilical cord stump falls off there is sometimes a little bleeding. This is normal and it should stop quickly.

Speak to your midwife if you’re worried about whether your baby’s belly button will be an inside or outside one. 

See your doctor, midwife or child health nurse if you have any concerns.

There are ways for you to prevent problems, such as infection, during healing of their umbilical cord stump.

It's important to keep the cord stump clean and to allow it to dry naturally.
Try not to touch the cord stump other than when you’re washing it. If you need to touch your baby’s umbilical cord stump area, wash your hands thoroughly first.

Caring for your baby’s umbilical cord stump is important part of looking after your newborn. 

Washing the umbilical cord stump

You can gently wash your baby’s umbilical cord stump as part of their usual bathing routine. It’s best to give your baby sponge baths instead of putting them into water until the cord stump falls off. This will help the cord stump to dry naturally.

Directions for washing:

• Use only water and cotton pads to wash the area.
• You don't need to use antiseptics or special creams.
• Dry the area around the stump carefully — you can pat it dry gently with a towel or soft cloth.
• Allow the area time to air dry if the weather is not too cold.
• If wee or poo gets on the stump, you can use a mild soap and water to help clean it off.

Nappies and the umbilical cord stump

The stump needs to dry out in the air. So, don’t cover your baby’s umbilical cord stump with their nappy. If your baby’s nappy covers the stump, simply fold it over at the top, so it sits below your baby’s belly button area.

After the clamp has fallen off or been removed by your midwife, you can place the nappy over the belly button area.

Avoid covering the umbilical cord stump with adhesive plasters or bandages, as this stops airflow around the stump.

Your baby’s belly button should heal completely in a few days. It’s normal for it to bleed or ooze a little after the cord stump falls off.

Always wash your hands before touching your baby’s belly button. Keep the area clean and dry.

Use a clean cotton bud with warm water to remove any ooze from your baby’s belly button area.

If there is continuous stickiness or discharge, your baby’s belly button may be infected. You should show your midwife, doctor or child health nurse.

Signs of an infection can be:

• redness in and around the area
• their belly button area is warm to touch
• swelling 
• stickiness or a cloudy ooze
• a bad smell

If you think your baby’s cord stump or belly button is infected, see your midwife or doctor as soon as possible.

Your baby might also show signs of being generally unwell, such as:

• fever
• poor feeding
• sleepiness

Umbilical granuloma

Sometimes, a baby’s belly button does not heal completely. Moist red tissue forms over the stump site, which may form a small lump. This is called an ‘umbilical granuloma’.

An umbilical granuloma may ooze a small amount of clear or yellow fluid.

See your doctor, midwife or child health nurse if your baby’s belly button is not healing well.

Learn more about umbilical granuloma.

Umbilical hernia

If you notice a small, soft lump around your baby’s belly button, they may have an umbilical hernia.

Umbilical hernias can look like a bulge or swelling around the belly button. The swelling can come and go, and you may notice it more when your baby cries.

Umbilical hernias are common in babies and small children. They often go away as your child gets older.

Umbilical hernias do not usually cause serious problems. Sometimes they need to be treated with surgery if they don’t go away on their own.

Learn more about umbilical hernia.

Visit Children’s Health Queensland (Opens in new tab) for more on how to care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump (Opens in new tab).

The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (Opens in new tab) has information about umbilical granuloma (Opens in new tab) and umbilical hernia (Opens in new tab).

For information about what to do if your child has a fever (Opens in new tab), visit The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Opens in new tab).

For support on how to care for your baby, visit your local child health centre:

• Australian Capital Territory — Maternal, child and family health (Opens in new tab)
• New South Wales — Child and family health services (Opens in new tab)
• Northern Territory — Child health service (Opens in new tab)
• Queensland — Child, youth and family health (Opens in new tab)
• South Australia — Child and family health service (Opens in new tab)
• Victoria — Early parenting centres (Opens in new tab)
• Western Australia — Community child health (Opens in new tab)