Umbilical cord stump: how to care for it and when it falls off
In this article
The umbilical cord stump is the short piece of cord left on your baby's belly button after birth. NUH says the cord itself has no sensation. HealthHub says it changes from yellowish-green to brown and black and falls off by itself in 1 to 2 weeks. Until then, keep it clean and dry, fold the nappy below it, and watch for signs of infection.
| What it is | The bit of cord left at the belly button |
|---|---|
| Feeling | None, NUH says |
| Colour change | Yellowish-green to brown, then black |
| Falls off | 1 to 2 weeks (HealthHub); 7 to 10 days (KKH) |
| Cleaning | Cooled boiled water, then pat dry |
| See a doctor if | Red skin around it, a bad smell, or still on at 3 weeks |
How to clean the cord stump
The aim is clean and dry. KKH says to use cotton wool with cooled boiled water, cleaning from the base upwards after each bath or whenever the cord gets wet. HealthHub says you can bathe your baby as usual, then lightly dab the stump dry with a clean towel.
- Fold the nappy below the stump so it stays out of urine and gets air. KKH and HealthHub both advise this.
- Dress your baby in a top that lets air reach the cord. KKH suggests avoiding bodysuit-style tops until it falls off.
- Put nothing on it. HealthHub says no medicated oil on the stump or in the belly button, and the WHO says not to apply anything, such as ointment.
- Skip the cord spirit. NUH no longer recommends it because it delays the cord coming off, and the AAP says there is no need for alcohol.
Our umbilical cord care guide compares the advice from each Singapore hospital step by step.
When the umbilical cord stump falls off
Singapore hospitals give slightly different windows. KKH says 7 to 10 days, NUH says within 2 weeks and HealthHub says 1 to 2 weeks. The AAP says it should be off by 3 weeks, and a stump still there after that needs a doctor's visit. HealthHub and NUH both say to let it come off on its own.
A little mess afterwards is normal. KKH says you may see a little blood on the stump once the cord has fallen off, and HealthHub says there may be some blood or yellow discharge for a few days. The AAP says to call the doctor straight away if the cord bleeds actively rather than leaving a few drops.
Granuloma and hernia: two things that look odd
Sometimes the belly button does not dry completely. The AAP describes an umbilical granuloma as a small red or brownish lump of scar tissue left after the cord falls off, which drains a light-yellowish fluid. It usually goes in about a week. If it does not, the AAP says your baby's doctor may need to dry it with a chemical treatment.
A belly button that pushes out when your baby cries may be an umbilical hernia. The AAP says it is not serious and usually heals by itself in the first 12 to 18 months. It also says not to tape a coin or anything else over the navel, because it does not help and can cause a rash.
Signs of infection to watch for
Cord infections are uncommon, the AAP says, but they need treatment. Watch for:
- red skin around the base of the stump
- a foul-smelling or yellowish discharge
- bleeding from the belly button
- your baby crying when you touch the stump or the skin next to it
- urine coming from the cord, which NUH lists
KKH says to go to the nearest polyclinic or GP if the area around the cord is red or there is a foul-smelling discharge or bleeding. If your baby also has a fever, NUH treats fever in a baby under 3 months as an emergency; see fever in a newborn.
Frequently asked questions
When does the umbilical cord fall off?
Usually within 1 to 2 weeks. KKH says 7 to 10 days, NUH says within 2 weeks, and HealthHub says 1 to 2 weeks. The AAP says to see a doctor if it is still on at 3 weeks.
Can I bathe my baby before the cord stump falls off?
Yes. HealthHub says to bathe your baby as you normally do, then lightly dab the stump dry with a clean towel.
Should I clean the cord stump with alcohol or cord spirit?
No. NUH no longer recommends cord spirit because it delays the stump coming off, and the AAP says there is no need for alcohol. KKH uses cooled boiled water.
Is it normal for the stump to bleed a little?
A few drops when it falls off are normal, KKH and the AAP say. Active bleeding, or bleeding with red skin or a bad smell, needs a doctor.
Related terms
- Neonate (Newborn): The medical word for a newborn baby in the first 28 days of life.
- Meconium: Your newborn's first poo: thick, sticky and black or dark green, passed in the first two to three days.
- Fever in a Newborn: A raised temperature in a baby under 3 months, which Singapore hospitals treat as a reason to come in straight away.
- Confinement (Zuo Yue Zi): The traditional rest period after birth, 30 to 44 days depending on community, with food rules and extra help at home.
- Polyclinic: A public primary care clinic with subsidised fees, where Singapore families can take children for jabs and checks.
- HealthHub - Care of Your Newborn: To Have and to Hold (read 9 November 2026)
- KKH (via SingHealth) - Caring for Your Newborn Baby (read 9 November 2026)
- KKH (via SingHealth) - Going Home After Your Delivery in KKH (read 9 November 2026)
- NUH - First Month Concerns (read 9 November 2026)
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org) - Umbilical Cord Care in Newborns (read 9 November 2026)
- WHO - Caring for a newborn (read 9 November 2026)
