POOJA KOTHARIMom of a 8 yr 5 m old boy8 months agoA. It is normal for a newborn’s umbilical cord stump to take up to 10-14 days or even slightly longer to fall off. However, you can take steps to ensure proper care and hygiene during this time:
1. Keep it Clean and Dry: Avoid getting the stump wet. If it does get soiled, gently clean it with a clean cloth or cotton dipped in plain water and pat it dry.
2. Avoid Covering with Diaper: Fold the diaper below the stump to allow air circulation and prevent urine from soaking it.
3. Do Not Pull: Let the stump fall off naturally. Pulling it can cause infection or bleeding.
4. Monitor for Signs of Infection: Look for redness, swelling, foul odor, pus, or if your baby seems uncomfortable when the stump is touched. If any of these occur, consult a pediatrician immediately.
5. Expose to Air: Allow the stump to be exposed to air as much as possible to aid drying and healing.
If the umbilical cord stump has not fallen off by three weeks or shows signs of infection, consult your doctor for further evaluation.
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