How long does it take for a newborn’s umbilical cord to fall off

The time it takes for the umbilical cord to fall off in a newborn is related to the way the cord is disposed of. If the umbilical cord stump is short, it usually falls off in about 3-4 days. However, if the umbilical cord stump is long, the shedding time can be extended to 7-10 days or even 20 days and beyond. The umbilical cord is the hub between the mother and the fetus, and the fetus relies on it for nutrients and oxygen. After the birth of a newborn, the umbilical cord loses its role, loses its blood supply, dries out and gradually falls off, mostly within 2 weeks. However, some newborns’ umbilical cords take longer to fall off. If the umbilical cord is dry and there is no bleeding or discharge, there is no major problem and parents should pay attention to umbilical care. However, if the partially detached umbilical cord shows pus discharge and the umbilical cord is red, it is necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of umbilical cord infection, and should go to the neonatology department of the hospital in time for treatment. In addition, before the umbilical cord is detached, parents need to disinfect the umbilical cord once a day in the morning and once in the afternoon. When disinfecting the umbilical cord, you need to lift up the umbilical cord to expose the root, and use iodine vapour to clean the root and the surrounding secretion from the inside to the outside.