A–Z Glossary

Umbilical cord infection

Infection around the umbilical stump, suggested by redness, swelling, discharge, foul smell, or worsening skin changes.

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Newborn umbilical cord care

Newborn umbilical cord care

What the umbilical cord stump is After birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving a short remnant attached to the baby’s abdomen. The stump contains no functioning nerves, so routine handling should not be painful, although the surrounding skin may be sensitive. Over the following days, the tissue progressively dries, contracts, and changes […]

How long umbilical stump takes to fall off

How long umbilical stump takes to fall off

Typical timing for umbilical stump separation The umbilical stump usually falls off between 5 and 15 days after birth. Many parents see separation at approximately 2 weeks, while guidance from pediatric and public-health organizations also recognizes that the process may take about 1 to 3 weeks. The exact timing depends on how quickly the remaining […]

Early illness warning signs

Early illness warning signs

Why early signs can be subtle Early illness in babies often begins with small departures from their normal pattern rather than one dramatic symptom. A baby who usually wakes to feed may become unusually difficult to rouse. A steady feeder may tire early, cough during feeds, or take much longer to finish. A normally engaged […]