Is a smelly umbilical cord normal?
It is normal for the belly button to look a bit mucky or to have a red spot where the cord used to be. It can also be smelly and have some clear, sticky or brownish ooze that might leave a stain on your baby’s nappy or clothes. This is part of the healing process, which may take up to seven days to mend completely.
How do you know if your baby’s umbilical cord is infected?
While slight bleeding is normal and usually nothing to be concerned about, signs of infection may include: red, swollen, warm, or tender skin around the cord. pus (a yellow-greenish liquid) oozing from the skin around the cord. a bad smell coming from the cord.
How do you clean a baby’s smelly belly button?
Dip a cotton swab in warm water. Squeeze the tip to remove the excess water. Gently clean around the base of the cord and then the surrounding skin, then hold the stump with a clean absorbent cloth to dry it completely. It is important that the umbilical cord remain clean and dry until it falls off naturally.
What do you clean a newborn’s umbilical cord with?
A sponge bath is the best way to clean your baby until the umbilical cord falls off. To give a sponge bath, dip a soft cloth in the warm water and wring out the excess. If needed, a mild soap can be used in the water.
How do you clean a smelly umbilical cord?
Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry. The cord stump itself doesn’t need cleaning unless it’s contaminated with poo or urine. Even then, just use a little plain water to wash it off – there’s no need for soap, creams or ointments.
What do I do if my baby umbilical cord is infected?
Antibiotic Ointment for Pus:
- If any pus is present, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin).
- No prescription is needed.
- Put a tiny amount on the belly button.
- Do this 2 times per day after the area has been cleaned.
- Do this for 2 days. After that, use the antibiotic ointment only if you see more pus.
What does infected umbilical cord look like?
Signs of an Infected Umbilical Cord Stump A smelly yellow discharge from the stump area. A reddening of the skin around the stump. Swelling of the navel area. Your baby crying when you touch the stump, indicating it is tender or sore.
When should I be concerned about my baby’s umbilical cord?
Much like a scab, the cord stump might bleed a little when it falls off. However, contact your baby’s health care provider if the umbilical area oozes pus, the surrounding skin becomes red and swollen, or the area develops a pink moist bump. These could be signs of an umbilical cord infection.
How do you treat an infected belly button stump?
How do you clean an infected umbilical cord?
Clean the area around the cord as directed. You may be told to use a clean, moist cloth, alcohol pads, or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Remove all drainage and clean an inch around the base. If there is a little drainage is present you may be advised to use antibiotic ointment after each cleaning.
How do you disinfect the umbilical cord?
Umbilical Cord Care: Cleaning and Signs of Infection
- Keep The Area Clean. Pediatricians used to recommend cleaning the base of the cord with rubbing alcohol.
- Keep The Area Dry. Allow the cord to be exposed to air as often as possible.
- Only Give Sponge Baths.
- Allow The Cord to Heal Naturally.
- Want to Know More?
Why does my newborn stink?
“Young kids have a short neck and lots of fat, so food and sweat can be trapped in the folds of skin and start to have an odor,” Mazur says. In this case, a bath should get rid of the smell.
What are the common causes of umbilical cord smells?
– red, swollen, warm, or tender skin around the cord – pus (a yellow-greenish liquid) oozing from the skin around the cord – a bad smell coming from the cord – fever – a fussy, uncomfortable, or very sleepy baby
Is the umbilical cord meant to smell?
You need to realize that the umbilical cord is nothing but a piece of flesh, so it is normal for it to smell bad when it no longer has any supply of blood. However, it usually starts to smell bad when it is about to fall off in a few days. You may want to talk to your doctor if you suspect something wrong.
What to do if umbilical cord falls off early?
What You Should Know About Navels After the Cord Falls Off: The cord can’t fall off too early.
What causes low blood flow through umbilical cord?
Umbilical cord compression. Umbilical cord compression occurs when pressure prevents the flow of oxygenated blood through the umbilical cord.