No rubbing alcohol on umbilical cord.... and it stinks!?! Has anyone else have this problem

Question

The nurses said they don't put alcohol on umbilical cord anymore and for me to just let it dry out on it's own. The past 2 days the cord has smelled ROTTEN (like dead animal). No pus, no discharge, no bleeding other than spotting. Has anyone else experienced this?

Answer 1

no don't listen to the doctor or the nurses go ahead and use the rubbing  alcohol on it  its not going to hurt it will take long for it to fall off if you don't use the alcohol.

Answer 2

Have you been getting it wet or keeping it covered?

Keep it completely uncovered and DRY and the smell will go away.  Using alcohol will just keep it wet longer.

If it really bothers you you can put goldenseal powder on it.

Answer 3

Yes they do I just had a baby two months ago and I was told by doctors and nurses to clean the outside and around the babys stub with a q-tip with alcohol. Your supposed to clean it or else it will get stinky and might get infected, also it helps with the healing.

Answer 4

Yes, I actually took my son to the ER because the smell was so bad that I thought something was wrong. They said that because it was "rotton flesh" it was stinky, but my girls never smelled like that. I blame part of it on my negligence by getting it wet, but who knows. They gave me some betadine in a cup to take home to clean in and around it and instructed me to dip a q-tip in alcohol and go all the way around the point of attachment, and not to be afraid to lightly dig. That is what I did, and it fell off fairly quickly. Good luck, I know it is sooo gross!!

Answer 5

I think I put alcohol on the cords of all 3 of my kids. If they don't want you to use alcohol, what about a little peroxide?  it should help kill any bacteria that are causing that nasty smell, and might not irritate baby skin as much

Answer 6

They told me not to too. The first few days I listened but then it started trying to come off too soon and was bleding really bad so I out alcohol on it once a day and it got better and lasted another week. When it did come off it didn't take part of his skin with it like it was trying to in the beginning. I was glad I didn't listen.

Answer 7

they say that there is no need to use the alcohol on it that it will dry up in the same amount of time. There for there is actually no reason NOT to use the alcohol. People have been using it for years. It can cause some dryness and irritation. But I have never had that problem. And I used it every time I changed a diaper. I think it helps with the smell. Try to keep it dry and no lotion that can also make it stink really bad.

I tried not using it with my youngest and it was nasty. So I went and bought some alcohol and used a q-tip and gently dug around the bottom and got a lot of nasty gunk. It started to heal a little better and fell of cleaner. I suggest the cheap q-tips, they don't have a much cotton, and are easier to clean with because there is no extra cotton coming off the q-tip and getting in your baby's stump.

Answer 8

Well I just had a baby july 24th. I did not use anything to clean it is sorta smelled a lil bit but not like roadkill. If  there is no puss or blood I wouldn't worry it will fall off soon and shouldn't smell after that..... good luck tho!

Answer 9

yes i had that problem with my baby and you are right it stunk so bad i almost got sick.

Answer 10

The nurses sent us home with alcohol wipes and said to wipe it no more than once a day.  It dried up and fell off after about 2 1/2 weeks.  In the end it bled a bit, but the doctor said that it was normal.  

Hope this helps!

Answer 11

When I left the hospital it was put on my discharge sheet to clean that area with Alcohol three times aday. I did that and my baby still had to go back to the doctor because her's didnt heal before it feel  off. They had to close it themselves. You dont want that to happen. You need to clean it with something. If it stinks then I would use alcohol it doesnt hurt them. But I would say that it needs to be cleaned.

Answer 12

The reason they say no more rubbing alcohol is cause it does need to dry out and yes its gonna smell terrible,  just wash the baby everyday and that area good and it will dry up and fall off like its supposed to. Then your baby will be smelling like a baby again. Just gotta deal with it for a few weeks. Both my girls never had it as bad as your making your lil ones sound but it was quite ripe at times, and more so cause it was warm  in the house. Also try rubbing scented baby lotion around the area but avoiding the healing flesh so it doesn't get irritated.

I also verified this with my dad whos doing a maternity ward rotation at the local hosipital, he and several of the nurses said this is correct and all will be fine. And if your still not sure, heres a bit of research to read thru.

What You Need To Know

Despite some research on the subject, we still don't have a clear understanding of optimal cord care practices. Fortunately, umbilical cord infections are not very common and often easily treated when recognized quickly. Until more research is done, ask your pediatrician what he or she recommends concerning umbilical cord care.

Personally, I like to use alcohol on the umbilical cord stump about twice a day. This helps remove any discharge that has accumulated around the stump, keeps it clean, and is unlikely to make the cord stay on any longer than simply doing nothing at all.

Keep in mind that the alcohol isn't supposed to help the cord come off sooner. It is just supposed to prevent any infections from developing until it comes off on its own.

Your baby's umbilical cord stump should fall off by the time he is two to four weeks old.

Call your pediatrician if your baby's umbilical cord stump is showing signs of infection (omphalitis), including having redness around the area, having a foul odor, and/or discharge.

Until your baby's umbilical cord stump falls off, be sure to keep it clean and dry. Remember that your baby will only need sponge baths until his cord falls off.

Edit: for those of you telling her NOT to listen to the Doctors and Nurses in the Maternity ward, umm they do know what they are doing so yea you do need to follow their instructions its for the benefit and good health of your child they give you these guidelines.

Answer 13

I would call the doctor office first thing in the morning and explain to them this.. I never heard of that with my first born I used alcohol to clean around ..  

Answer 14

I'd worry about the smell too.  I don't think its a problem to use alcohol on the base of the cord once a day.  It helps dry it up.  Make sure it is not covered up by the diaper so air can get at it too.   We did it and babies cord fell off in 6 days.  But maybe check with the doc on the smell.  I've never heard of that.

Answer 15

could be infected, use the alcohol.

Answer 16

it could be infected call a dr