The length of the umbilical stump is generally about 5 cm from the base of the abdomen.
The stump undergoes a drying/mummification process during which it may take on a colouring ranging from yellowish to green to black.
It is absolutely normal for the baby to have some blood encrusted around the stump, or for there to be a slight discharge of blood at the time of detachment. It usually falls between the 7th and 14th day of the baby's life, by itself therefore it is essential not to pull it!
When to notify the paediatrician?
- if you smell a bad odour, you must tell the paediatrician because the umbilical cord stump must not make any odour;
- if redness appears around the residue;
- if there is yellowish discharge or loss of blood;
- if the baby cries and moans when the stump is touched (this means that he feels pain, which should not be there);
- if the stump itself does not fall out within two weeks of going home.
How to treat the umbilical stump?
For the dressing of the umbilical stump, one simply has to observe a few rules of hygiene:
- do not immerse the stump during bathing: for the first few weeks of life, until detachment, it is best to wash the baby with a wet cloth, thus avoiding immersion in water.ì;
- it is advisable to leave the stump free as much as possible, in the air, and to avoid compressing it with overly tight onesies or a nappy;
How to treat the umbilical stump scar?
After detachment of the stump, it will be sufficient to clean the umbilical area to keep the scar dry and clean.
It is advisable to clean at every nappy change by lightly dabbing with sterile gauze soaked in water until the scar is completely healed.
Take care to gently remove any encrusted blood residue.
When healing is complete, the baby will be ready for its first bath!
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/getting-to-know-your-newborn/