what is w/ the stump?

[ellymay]

ds is almost 2wks old and his "stump" isn't even trying to come off I used alcohol on it every diaper change plus a few times and I hate it bc he screams everytime I do it but and it is so deep in there the inside part isn't drying out like the rest of it.

[aircantu1]

Both of my babies' fell off right at 2 weeks -- my son's actually came off in the doctor's office at his 2 week check up.

I've never put alcohol on either of my kids -- just left it alone. I think opinions are pretty split on whether the alcohol is actually necessary. Personally, if it's making him scream every time, I wouldn't do it.


I did a quick google search and found sites that say it can stay on up to 4 weeks. As long as it's not showing signs of infection, I wouldn't worry.
Good luck!

[day-by-day]

At our newborn assessment class at the birth center where I am going to deliver, our instructor mentioned that using alcohol can actually prolong the time it takes for a cord to fall off. Perhaps you could try leaving it completely alone with no alcohol and see if that helps.

[Datura]

Yep, I wouldn't put alcohol on it, particularly with that reaction. We just left our boy's alone and it fell off 3 days later (we didn't keep it dry, either, just bathed normally). I think this was partially due to use using flax fiber to tie the cord, it didn't rub around as much as the big plastic thingies.

[ellymay]

I notice though when I don't use anything for awhile bc I went a yesterday w/ only using alcohol a couple times maily bc I awsn't home and just really busy and when I got to looking at it when we finally got home it was all gooey looking inside so IDK if I should stop using it or not what are signs of infection? I want to give him a bath so bad but haven't bc of the stump, I have never understood why they say to not bathe untill that falls of or emerse in water or whatever.

[Nikki Christina]

mia is only 6 days old & it looks like it will be a few more days..

my other babies fell off right at a week..
i never put anything on any of them

[hlnmommy]

2 weeks here too and still hanging on. I have noticed that its getting dryer but doesnt seem to be going anywhere.

[smokeylo]

When you use alcohol you basically preserve it so it ends up taking longer to fall off! My midwife has use dust the stump with goldenseal powder and says it shouldn't take as long. I'd take a rest from the alcohol .

[True Blue]

Right...the alcohol kills the bacteria that helps it sort of decompose off of baby.

If you are worried about an infection though why don't you call your Dr? I do however remember it being a bit gooey at times with both of my kids. I would be concerned if I see green discharge or it gets smelly.

[ellymay]

there isn't any dicharge just the top part is all hard and dry but down inside it hasn't dried up at all and that part is greenish looking but not ozzy or anything just gooey looking. I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a break from the alcohol for a couple days he has his 2wk appt Thur and I am going to ask his doc about it, I see that the dried part is starting to come away from the part inside that hasn't dried yet and that bothers me bc this happened to my ds1 and he has a bubble of skin inside his belly button from that, I am sure when he gets older it is going to bother him to and I don't want this baby to have it to.

[Changed]

For my babies, greenish was normal. With my first the doc pulled it off at her 1 week check because it was just stuck on with goop. THere is an artery in the cord though and that needs time so pulling on it seems like a really stupid idea hindsight.

[ellymay]

Originally Posted by Jörð

For my babies, greenish was normal. With my first the doc pulled it off at her 1 week check because it was just stuck on with goop. THere is an artery in the cord though and that needs time so pulling on it seems like a really stupid idea hindsight.

yeah that seems kind of dangerous LOL

[lovingmommyhood]

Yup! Like others have said just skip the alcohol. Congrats!

[GreenRose]

baby z's dried really nicely and fell off yesterday at 5 days. no alcohol.

[Teenytoona]

I noticed, while looking at my nephew, that they tend to leave alot less stump on these days than say 10-15-20 years ago... That struck me as odd... Otherwise, it's good to see this information for those of us who are "waitin' on somebody" to come along!