The umbilical cord is a flexible, twisted structure that supplies the fetus with oxygen and nutrients during pregnancy and is connected to the placenta. After birth, your baby no longer needs the cord, so doctors cut it—a painless procedure for both mother and baby. The remaining stump usually falls off naturally within one to three weeks. Your role is to keep it clean and dry until it detaches. Below is a comprehensive, doctor-recommended guide to umbilical cord care for newborns.
What Is the Umbilical Cord?
The umbilical cord is a tube-like structure that acts as a lifeline between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. It allows oxygen and nutrients to reach the baby and carries waste products away. After birth, the doctor cuts the cord, leaving a small stump on the baby’s abdomen called the umbilical stump. This stump dries up and falls off naturally within a few weeks, leaving the baby’s belly button.
What Is the Function of the Umbilical Cord?
The placenta and umbilical cord work together to maintain blood flow to the fetus throughout pregnancy. The placenta performs the role of the lungs, heart, and digestive system for the fetus, while the umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta.
You can think of the umbilical cord as a two-way road:
One direction carries oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus.
The other direction carries oxygen-poor blood and waste products, such as carbon dioxide, back to the placenta for the mother’s body to eliminate.
This vital exchange continues until birth, after which the baby’s organs take over these functions.
Where Is the Umbilical Cord Located?
The umbilical cord forms during the first trimester of pregnancy. It connects the fetus to the placenta, which is attached to the uterine wall. Typically, the cord attaches to the center of the placenta and to the baby’s abdomen, where the belly button will later form.
The cord appears thick and coiled, with spiral twists that strengthen it and protect it from compression. It is surrounded by a jelly-like connective tissue called Wharton’s jelly, which provides additional protection.
Blood Vessels in the Umbilical Cord
By the end of the second trimester, the umbilical cord is about 50–60 cm (19.6–23.6 inches) long and 1–2 cm thick. It contains three blood vessels:
One umbilical vein that carries oxygen-rich blood to the fetus.
Two umbilical arteries that carry oxygen-poor blood back to the placenta.
Conditions That May Affect the Umbilical Cord
Certain umbilical cord abnormalities can reduce blood flow to the fetus and affect growth and development. These include:
Abnormal cord coiling (too many or too few twists).
Velamentous cord insertion, where vessels attach to membranes instead of the placenta.
Nuchal cord, when the cord wraps around the baby’s neck.
Single umbilical artery, where only one artery is present.
True knots in the cord.
Umbilical cord cysts.
Umbilical cord prolapse, a rare medical emergency.
Vasa previa, where fetal blood vessels cross the cervix.
Membranous cord insertion.
Most of these conditions are rare and often harmless, but doctors monitor them closely through ultrasound examinations.
What Happens to the Umbilical Cord at Birth?
After delivery, the healthcare provider cuts the umbilical cord to separate the baby from the placenta. The baby feels no pain, as the cord has no nerves. The remaining stump dries, shrinks, changes color from yellowish-green to brown or black, and eventually falls off on its own.
How to Care for Your Baby’s Umbilical Stump
Proper care helps prevent infection (omphalitis). Follow these guidelines:
Keep the stump clean and dry.
Clean gently with a damp cloth if needed, then let it air dry.
Fold the diaper down so it doesn’t cover or irritate the stump.
Do not pull or force the stump off, even if it looks like it’s about to fall.
Watch for signs of infection: redness, swelling, foul odor, discharge, or bleeding.
Contact your pediatrician if you notice any of these signs.
Should You Use Rubbing Alcohol?
Using rubbing alcohol on the umbilical stump is no longer recommended. Studies show it may delay healing by killing beneficial bacteria. Instead, gently clean with water if necessary and allow the stump to dry naturally.
When Does the Umbilical Cord Fall Off?
The stump usually falls off within 1–3 weeks after birth. If it hasn’t fallen off after three weeks, consult your pediatrician. Once it falls off, you may discard it.
Is Yellow Discharge After the Cord Falls Off Normal?
A small amount of yellow discharge or tissue may appear. This could be an umbilical granuloma, a common and harmless condition. It usually resolves on its own, but if it persists beyond a week, your pediatrician can treat it easily.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your pediatrician if:
The stump hasn’t fallen off after three weeks.
There is pus, persistent bleeding, or foul-smelling discharge.
The surrounding skin is red, swollen, or discolored.
Your baby shows signs of poor feeding, excessive sleepiness, or cries when the area is touched.
Proper umbilical cord care is simple but essential for your newborn’s health, helping ensure a smooth transition as your baby grows.
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