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Care of the cord
The site of your baby's umbilical cord, or "belly button," will continue to dry. The cord will usually fall off in about 10 to 14 days, but sometimes it takes longer.
- Keep the cord clean and dry.
- Arrange the diaper below the cord so it is exposed to the air. This helps keep the cord from being irritated by urine, and it also keeps it clean and dry.
- It is OK to let the cord get wet during a bath. Pat it dry with a towel.
- When the cord falls off, there may be a small amount of bleeding at the site. This is normal.
When to call the health care provider
Call your baby's health care provider if the cord site:
- bleeds more than a little
- oozes
- becomes red
- has a foul or smelly discharge.
Related Links
Signs to call your baby's health care provider
Source: Allina Patient Education, Allina Medical Guide for the Care of Children, third edition, ISBN 1-931876-18-5
First published: 04/01/2002
Last updated: 11/30/2006
Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts