The umbilical cord connects a baby to its mother in the womb, but is cut after birth. Umbilical bleeding in newborns can be caused by clothing rubbing against the cord or incomplete healing. Parents should not pull or cut the cord, and seek medical attention if bleeding persists.
The umbilical cord connects a baby to its mother as it grows and develops in the womb. When a baby is born, the umbilical cord, which is no longer needed, is tied tightly and cut. Most of the time, the cord stump dries up and falls off the child without incident. Sometimes, there can be problems that cause umbilical bleeding in the newborn. Typical causes include the inability to heal properly, getting caught in the baby’s clothes, and being ripped off before he’s ready.
One of the most common causes of umbilical bleeding in newborns is diaper or clothing rubbing against the umbilical cord. When this happens, it can remove the scab and cause it to bleed, though usually not significantly. This is generally not a cause for concern, although if the bleeding persists for more than a few days, most medical professionals recommend that your child be seen by their doctor.
The problem can be minimized by folding the front of the diaper. This leaves the navel area exposed, which allows the stump to dry. It also prevents the diaper from rubbing against the belly button area.
When the baby’s cord stump is about ready to fall off and is barely connected to the baby, it’s not uncommon for a parent to pull it off or for the stump to snag on some clothing. Even if the cord is barely attached, pulling it off a baby like this can cause umbilical bleeding in newborns. The stump should never be pulled or cut by the child, but should be dropped when ready, which will greatly reduce the chances of bleeding.
Umbilical bleeding in newborns can also be caused by incomplete healing of the umbilical cord area, which occurs for a variety of reasons. Gentle pressure on the area with a few gauze pads can help stop such bleeding quickly. As with other umbilical cord bleeds, it is most likely not a cause for concern. A little blood on the baby’s diaper or clothes is normal in this case. If the umbilical site is oozing blood and does not stop within 15 minutes, or if there is a significant amount of blood, the baby should be seen by a doctor immediately, to prevent any complications.
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