Question about the umbilical chord?

Question

My daughter was born 9 days ago and her umbilical chord is drying up but bleeding around the edges. Is this normal or should I take her to the doctor? We were told when we left the hospital to just keep the area dry and not to put alcohol on it.

Answer 1

it can bleed a little as it comes away.  Don't worry.  You would only need to take her back to the Dr if it looks infected.

Answer 2

Relax.  We kept our first baby's so clean and dry it was way late coming off!  :D  We learned to relax, and just keep it normally clean.

It's fine.

Answer 3

sounds normal, use the alcohol. and make sur the diaper doesnt cover it. I dont know why they told you not to use alcohol because it haev been used for decades without problem. use it as it helps it dry up and infections away.

Answer 4

go ahead and use the alcohol. IT wont hurt. They only reason they are now saying not to use it is because the stump will fall off no matter what. But I think it keeps it cleaner and keeps it from bleeding. My daughters did that and it was gross so I used the alcohol and it got better.

Answer 5

My sons did that too, everyone told me it was normal... just watch it, and when it falls off it will probably look a little nasty for a few days then it should heal up... my sons didn't heal, we were still cleaning it about a month after it fell off, when I realized this wasn't normal I took him to the doctor and they put silver nitrate (I think) on it, and after a few days it was healed... just let it go for now, and when it falls off just make sure it clears up in a week or 2, if it doesn't then you might need to see a doctor.

Answer 6

It is normal(:

Answer 7

if your worried about it,

then get it cheked out in case.

Answer 8

More than one inch of blood go to a doctor.

http://www.seattlechildrens.org/child_he...

Spot of lost blood > 1 inch (2.5 cm)

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001926.h...

Another infrequent problem is active bleeding. This usually occurs when the cord is pulled off prematurely. Allow the cord to fall off naturally, even if it is only hanging on by a thread. Active bleeding is defined as every time you wipe away a drop of blood, another drop appears. If the cord does actively bleed, call your baby’s doctor immediately.

Answer 9

some suggest alcohol others don't; if u use alcohol try using a q tip or something so that you can keep the alcohol off of the surrounding skin as it might irritate it; once it falls off it will probly look moist for a few days, my doc said to put neosporin on it twice a day for five days ....now that was AFTER it fell off on it's own...just keep it clean and dry, keep clothes and diapers from rubbing it and irritating it and u should be fine....like the other said, any red bleeding that is active, any foul smelll or discharge, redness, warmth, pus..call doc asap and go from there; most come off without a hitch!

and don't submerge baby in water until it is completely healed after coming off, not just after it comes off...

Answer 10

There are so many differencing opinions on how to care for an umbilical cord.  As long as her cord is not profusely bleeding, smells rotten, or oozing puss she should be alright.  I wouldn't automatically take her to the doc.  You can always call the nurse line tomorrow morning and ask what they want you to do.  My daughter's cord (6mos old now) bled a little bit.  Just make sure to keep the diaper away from the area.  Fold the diaper back and make sure her clothes are not tugging on the area.  Those could be 2 culprits.