Question
The umbilical cord of a newborn is not always detached within the expected timeframe. If the baby is already 19 days old and the umbilical cord has not yet fallen off, is this a normal phenomenon?
Answer
Hello, the time for the umbilical cord to fall off in newborns can vary from individual to individual and is not always the same for all babies. As long as there are no abnormal conditions such as blood or pus around the navel, there is no need to be overly concerned. The undetached umbilical cord may be related to excessive warmth, so it is recommended to adjust the baby’s clothing appropriately to keep them cool, which can help the umbilical cord fall off naturally. Avoid touching the baby’s umbilical cord and let it fall off naturally. You can use iodine alcohol to wipe the baby’s umbilical cord once a day to prevent infection. Continue to observe for a few days, and the umbilical cord should fall off on its own.