My son's umbilical cord stump fell off last wednesday. The friday before, it had started to bleed. I saw online that if it bled for more than 3 days, to bring him in. Well, it stopped on the 3rd day (I also changed his diapers to the "newborn" diapers that had the cut on it, since I believe the bleeding was caused by the rubbing of the diaper.) Well, it would periodically start to bleed again. When his stump fell off, it bled. I heard that was also somewhat normal, so I didn't get too concerned about it. Well, it still bleeds a little. I look into his belly button, and see that it hasn't completely healed yet, but I don't see a site where blood is coming out. But for some reason, after I clean his belly button, the next time I change his diaper, there is blood on the outside of his button. Again, I look inside, and I see nothing of concern. Should I give it more time? Is there something that I should do to help, like put neosporin or something? When I cleaned it the other day with alcohol, he didn't scream or anything so I just have no clue where the blood is actually coming from. Any advice?
Hi,
I am a senior midwife student. Do not put alcohol on it. This will only irritate it and prevent it from completely healing up. You need to go to the healthfood store and get some goldenseal powder. Sprinkle the goldenseal on any area that is wet looking or bleeding. This will heal it up quickly.
Lisa
I would stop "cleaning" it for a while, the alcohol is just disintegrating the clot/scab and preventing it from healing all the way. It sounds fine, just ask the doc at your next check up.
Hi, you should take him into the pediatrician. Of course, there can be other causes, but my first thought could be a bleeding disorder. Hemophilia runs in my family and I take care of bleeding disorder patients. The blood doesn't clot properly. Your pediatrician can run a blood test to confirm or deny diagnosis. Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions. ____@____.com
you should just clean it with alcohol at every diaper change until it heals up on it's own. don't use neosporin b/c you want it to dry out (which the alcohol will do), the neosporin will just keep it moist and it will never heal
If its just a couple of drops I think it should be fine. You can fold the regular diapers down in front. Thats what we did and tape it with the tabs so it stays. You can call the hospital and ask for the peidracits or baby nurse. They are there 24/7 and can answer your questions. Also call the doctor. I called all the time when I had a question. Good luck and God bless.
J., please take your baby to the doctor. He is so young that you can't take any chances when there is blood coming from somewhere.
I am a grandmother and would be very concerned if this was happening to my grandchild.
My daughters took a while to completely heal and stop oozing and bleeding. Just keep it cleaned out like you did with the cord still attached. Also, make sure that there are no signs of infection such as foul smell, swelling, or yellow/green ooze.
My daughter had the same thing. At her one month check up, I mentioned it to the doctor, she looked at it, wiped it, said it looked fine and I never had a problem again. I have no clue what she wiped it with, maybe even just water. So, I would just wait and mention it to the doctor.
At the very least, call your pediatrician and let them know what is going on. This way, if there are any concerns, they can check it out.
Good luck!
