Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Umbilical cord care

8-minute read

Key facts

  • Taking care of your newborn baby’s umbilical cord stump helps prevent infection.
  • The stump will fall off naturally in a week or 2, and will become your baby’s belly button.
  • Good hygiene is the best way to encourage healing.
  • See your doctor or child health nurse if your baby’s belly button area becomes infected or is not healing well.

What is the umbilical cord?

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord delivers oxygen and nutrients to your baby. The umbilical cord connects your placenta to your baby’s tummy.

After your baby is born, their umbilical cord is clamped and cut. This will not hurt you or your baby.

A small part of the umbilical cord is left in place with the clamp. This umbilical stump is usually about 2 to 3cm long.

Image of a new born baby with umbilical stump still attached.
Newborn baby with umbilical stump.

How long will my baby’s umbilical cord stump stay attached?

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 a little. It may leave marks on your baby’s clothes.

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 — it will fall off on its own with the umbilical stump.

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

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

How do I care for my baby’s umbilical cord stump?

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

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.

Washing the umbilical cord stump

You can gently wash your baby’s umbilical cord stump as part of their usual bathing routine.

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.

Don’t cover the cord stump with adhesive plasters or bandages, as this stops airflow around the stump.

How long will my baby’s belly button take to heal after the cord stump falls off?

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.

How can I tell if my baby’s belly button is infected?

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 of the belly button may include:

  • redness in and around the belly button
  • their belly button is warm to touch
  • swelling of the area
  • 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

Fever in young babies can be dangerous. If your baby is under 3 months old and has a fever above 38°C, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

What other problems can affect my baby’s belly button?

Umbilical granuloma

Sometimes, baby’s belly buttons do 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.

To help an umbilical granuloma to heal, your doctor may recommend salt treatment.

Salt treatment involves:

  1. Cleaning your baby’s belly button area with warm water and drying it.
  2. Applying a small pinch of table or cooking salt to their umbilical granuloma.
  3. Covering the area with a dry gauze dressing for 30 minutes to keep the salt on.
  4. After 30 minutes, removing the salt using a cotton ball that has been soaked in warm water.
  5. Making sure the area is clean and dry.

This procedure can be done twice daily for 3 to 5 days.

Sometimes, topical treatment may be applied to the granuloma by your doctor.

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, but sometimes they need to be treated with surgery if they don’t go away on their own.

Resources and support

Call your baby’s child health nurse for ongoing care and support.

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne has fact sheets on children’s health, including information in languages other than English.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2024


Back To Top

Need more information?

Understanding your newborn baby’s body

Your newborn baby may look a little different than expected or have symptoms that worry you. Find out what’s normal and when to seek help.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Baby hygiene & daily care: in pictures | Raising Children Network

Find out how to clean baby eyes, ears, teeth, umbilical cords and genitals in our illustrated guide to hygiene and daily care for newborns and babies. Article available in Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Hakha Chin, Karen, Persian, Simplified Chinese, Swahili, Tamil, Vietnamese.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Baby's first 24 hours

There is a lot going on in the first 24 hours of your baby's life, so find out what you can expect.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Your baby in the first few days

Find out what you can expect from your newborn, like how often they feed and sleep, as well as other things you need to know.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Rhesus D negative in pregnancy

Rhesus disease is an incompatibility between your and your baby’s blood types. Find out what it could mean for your baby and how it is treated.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Rhesus D negative in pregnancy

Rhesus disease is an incompatibility between your and your baby’s blood types. Find out what it could mean for your baby and how it is treated.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Pregnancy support - fathers, partners and carers - Better Health Channel

Whether you are the baby's father, the pregnant woman's partner or are supporting a single mother-to-be, you have a crucial role in ensuring she gets the pregnancy support she needs.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

After baby is born: what to expect | Raising Children Network

Finally your baby is here! Knowing what to expect in the first hours after baby is born can make it easier for you to start getting to know your newborn.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Jaundice in babies - Better Health Channel

If your baby is full-term and healthy, mild jaundice is nothing to worry about and will resolve by itself within a week or so.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Feeding your Baby - Miracle Babies

Before your baby was born, you may have spent time imagining their birth and how you would care for them

Read more on Miracle Babies Foundation website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.