A New Beginning

Umbilical Cord

Tell your nurse or health care provider if the umbilical cord:

At first the umbilical cord may look shiny yellow. After a few days it may look brown, gray, or purplish as it’s drying. It will fall off after 1 week on its own. Do not pick it, cut it, or pull it off. You may see a clear or slightly blood-tinged discharge after the cord falls off. • Fold the diaper below the umbilical cord to keep it from rubbing on the cord and to allow air to get to the cord. • Keep it clean, dry, and open to the air. • Do NOT use ointment, creams, or a bandage over the cord. • Dress your baby in loose clothing so air can circulate around the cord. • Use plain water and pat the cord dry if a bowel movement gets onto it.

• Has a foul odor • Has greenish-yellow discharge • Does not fall off in 3 weeks of life • Area and the area around the navel becomes swollen and reddened • Is painful when touched

Tell your nurse or health care provider if baby has a fever.

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A New Beginning