Patient's question:
My big baby has been 26 days old. When the baby strains to lift their abdomen, it seems there is a hole, and you can see a milky white substance inside. The baby does not cry or fuss and can eat and sleep normally. What should I do if the umbilical cord has not healed well?Doctor's answer:
The umbilical cord ligation of newborns is usually performed around 5-7 days after birth. The ligated umbilical cord will naturally fall off on its own, though some infants may take a bit longer. In rare cases, there might be a small amount of bleeding and discharge from the base of the cord. This situation can be managed by enhancing umbilical cord care and preventing infection at the root of the cord. When the cord falls off and the base becomes dry, it should grow well, typically around 7 to 10 days after birth. However, some babies may delay this process, but it should be of no concern as long as there is no redness or swelling at the root of the cord, indicating infection.