Cord stump - odors

[Friendlee]

My baby's cord stump stinks!!! There's no pus or any blood...nothing that indicates infection. But, gross! We clean it gently the way they told us to. Today I used soap (a teeny, teeny amount) with warm water and dried with a blow dryer as recommended. It still stinks. When will this thing fall off?!?!

[feminist~mama]

Soap and water, huh? We tell parents to use alcohol- just on the cord, not on the skin around it. No blow-dry necessary.

I generally advise parents to use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to "dig" (very gently) once the larger part of the cord has fallen off, just to make sure that all the "innie" parts are really dried out...

Honestly, an infected cord is a pediatric emergency. I say call your pediatrician now and let them know what's going on. The cord shouldn't smell badly!

[Serenyd]

Check with your ped. Not something I would ignore either.

[StephM76]

My DS's cord STUNK too. We eneded up taking him to the ped and there wasn't any infection or anything, it was just still a little damp in some areas. So the doctor ended up really digging in there with rubbing alcohol and the smell went away, the cord fell off 2 days later.

[katelove]

We don't recommend using alcohol or metho anymore as it can irritate the skin if it gets on it and because it doesn't reduce the risk of infection. That said, if the smell is due to persistent moisture, you could try dabbing a little rubbing alcohol or metho onto the stump to dry it out.

Is there any reddness on the skin around stump? That can be a sign of infection even if there is no discharge.

[MamaAcorn]

All of my babies had a stinky cord stump too. It's basically rotting flesh, so I think it's fairly normal to have a smell. I never put alcohol or anything else on the stump and it always fell off within 4-6 days after birth. After the stump fell off, I make sure the healing belly button is kept clean.

I would agree with the others though, if the area around the cord is red and swollen and you're concerned there is an infection, call the ped.

[Norasmomma]

My DS's stump was smelly too, there was no infection either. It just got kinda gross smelling right before it fell off. DD's never smelled, but her' took 2 weeks to fall off-his took 8 days, I have no idea if that would make a difference.

[Bromache]

I just looked this up on MDC yesterday! We're having this issue, too. No obvious signs of infection, but a stinky odor. From what I read, it's not uncommon. Last time I was told not to use alcohol or anything as well, so I'm not sure what to do. I may try a little in the manner katelove described later today... I sure hope the darn thing falls off soon!

[kjs]

I applied goldenseal powder with a q-tip and that seemed to speed healing.

[Kedrosami]

My baby's stump smelled like roadkill, to the point where I would gag every time I undressed him! I'm extra-sensitive to odors, but it definitely was reeking.

I was told that it's normal for it to smell, because it's actually gangrene that makes the tissue die and fall off. Ick! I washed the area around it gently with witch hazel on a cotton ball a couple times, but for the most part left it alone. It fell off on Day 5 to reveal a perfect little belly button! Don't worry, as long as it's not red, swollen, or oozing, it's fine and will fall off soon.

[zjande]

Some of mine have had extremely stinky cords, too. I use povidone iodine to clean all around it super well. That seems to really help, & not dry anything out.

[firewoman]

I have used Wishgarden herbal cord care with Oregon grape root and goldenseal powders. I have had no odors or infections. I applied it twice daily with a q-tip around where the stump connected to the belly button. It fell off yesterday at 6 days old.

[Friendlee]

It fell off!

Well, I wrote this post and then that night the stump fell off! Thank goodness! Still no redness or anything so I think it's all fine. I'm so glad it fell off - and in only 5 days!!!