Need help with baby's umbillical cord stump?

Question

My baby is 8 days old and today as I was feeding her, I noticed her umbilical cord had fallen off. There is a bit of dry blood on her belly button and all seems well but there seems to be a tiny bit of yellow gunk on one corner of her belly button. You can't see it unless you move it around. I noticed this yesterday when I was changing her diaper and the stump was still attached. The stump was completely dry. I've read that some yellow gunk is notmal online but then they say this could be an infection. Anyone have this experience?

The baby doesn't have a fever and is active as usual. Just wondering what I should do.

Answer 1

it does not sound infected, it sounds normal, try cleaning it with peroxide - if the area around it gets really red then call your doctor. but im pretty sure it will go away when you clean it

Answer 2

I would continue to clean her belly button with rubbing alcohol and just have her dr. take a look at it. CONGRATULATIONS by the way!

Answer 3

the baby is fine.  Both my boys had the same thing. It is completely normal.. It is still healing and that yellow stuff will dry right up and be gone within a few baths..  Smell the bellybutton if the yellow stuff has a strong odor, or if the baby had red swollen skin around the area, or has a fever then these are idications of an infection.  

Answer 4

Try cleaning it with peroxide.

Answer 5

Call your dr. Also take a cotton ball and put rubbing alcohol on it then drop a drop from the cotton ball onto the bellybutton and make sure it stays there for a minute or so- wipe away- that will disinfect  

Answer 6

I accidently pulled my daughters out when i was changing her diaper, she was so wiggly. It had a bit of yellow in it, it didnt bleed. I freaked out and my mom said to just put alcohol in it every diaper change. It healed up very quickly and it looks fine now. I told my doctor i did this and he said it was a good idea, quick thinking

Answer 7

Hi, your midwives (which is waht I am!) should have told you when you went home, just to give it a clean when you changed her nappy.  The little bit of yellow gunk you describe is perfectly normal.  Current research shows that you just need to clean it with soapy water (not alcohol, betadine or peroxide as we used to do).  You may need to slightly roll the skin around it down to clean it properly, but it's just slightly yellow/green as a reaction to the old dried blood and fluid collected there.  If it starts to smell offensive you should see someone about it, but even then, can usually be corrected by good cleaning.

Enjoy your baby!

Answer 8

DO NOT USE RUBBING ALCOHOL. THIS IS NO LONGE RECOMMENDED, DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT KILLS GOOD BACTERIA. CALL YOUR DR...

Answer 9

My prenatal instructor actually told me that you do not need to use rubbing alcohol to clean it, just plain water is good enough.  Get a wash cloth and get it wet with warm water and gently clean it, keep an eye on if and if you notice any actual puss  or odor then go to the doctor.