How newborn mothers should handle when their umbilical odor is bad and what causes this phenomenon is one of the top concerns of new mothers.
content
Cause the newborn umbilical cord has a foul odor
What is a bad smell to a newborn baby's umbilical cord?
Proper hygiene of the baby's navel to prevent infection
Every newborn baby also needs careful navel care. Usually, 7-10 days after birth , your baby's umbilical cord falls off on its own. Just observe, the mother will know immediately whether the baby's navel is in good condition or not. A healthy belly button means that the umbilical cord and stalk are dry, clean and free of discharge. In some babies, however, the umbilical cord secretes a little reddish-brown fluid around the time before it falls off. Although this translation has a strange smell, you do not need to worry too much because it is a fairly common and common phenomenon. Even so, mothers should properly clean the umbilical cord so that it is well ventilated and dry quickly. However, if the baby's umbilical cord has not fallen, or the newborn umbilical cord has a persistent odor, the fluid is abundant and dries long, the mother should pay special attention because the baby may have an infection in the umbilical cord!
When the baby is still in the womb, the umbilical cord is the "transportation system" that transfers nutrients between the mother's body and the baby. When the baby is born, the midwives will clamp the umbilical cord and cut the umbilical cord attached to the mother. Newborns need 7 to 10 days or more for the cord to dry and fall off. During this time, the navel is like a door that has not yet been closed. If the mother does not clean properly and properly, it will lead to infection, paving the way for bacteria to enter the body. Bacterial infections are the main cause of a bad smell in a newborn's umbilical cord.
First week newborn care (Part 1) Are you confident that you have fully prepared everything needed for the birth of your baby? In reality, however, all of that may be too little compared to the work to be done in the first few months of being a mother.
A foul-smelling baby umbilical cord may indicate some of the more common problems below:
Umbilical cord infections
The navel falls out late, wet, and has a persistent odor. After a while, it becomes swollen and pus-forming. More severe symptoms can cause general swelling, bloating, and manifestations of digestive disorders.
Umbilical necrosis
This can be before or after the pitting infection. Its manifestations are premature umbilical cord loss, umbilical swelling, redness followed by bruising and pus discharge, sometimes blood. In this case, the mother needs to bring the baby to the doctor immediately. If not treated in time, it will lead to blood infection, easily fatal.
Umbilitis
The newborn umbilical cord has a foul odor, plus the symptoms of edema, yellow discharge and long-term loss are signs of inflammation. Symptoms are accompanied by low fever and fussy crying. If the inflammation is mild, the mother should change the dressing immediately, squeeze out all pus and clean with hydrogen peroxide. If the inflammation gets worse with a high fever, you should see the doctor.
Umbilical vasculitis
An infant's umbilical cord has a foul odor possibly due to umbilical vasculitis. Umbilical vessels are composed of arteries and veins. These are 2 of the sugar that transport nutrients while still in the womb. When born, these 3 blood vessels also take time to fibrosis and disappear. If the umbilical cord is not cleaned properly, bacteria can enter and deep inside the blood vessels and cause dangerous inflammation.
The baby's belly button is the “closed door” for germs
To avoid bad smell of the baby's umbilical cord and prevent infections that cause danger to the baby, mothers should clean the umbilical cord every day by following these steps:
- Regularly clean the umbilical cord with hydrogen peroxide, iodine alcohol. This should be done daily, after bathing.
- Bath water for babies must be hygienic. Ideally, your baby should be bathed with cool boiled water or cooled boiled leaf water.
- For the umbilical cord to dry quickly and drop the umbilical cord, make sure the baby's navel is completely dry after bathing.
- Mother does not bandage the umbilical cord, because the umbilical bandage will make the belly button dry more slowly.
- Infant clothes should be washed with soap and dried in the sun. And if possible, iron before using.
- Take your baby to see a doctor as soon as there are abnormal symptoms in the belly button.
How to bathe a newborn who has not had their umbilical cord been able to bathe. Can a baby shower before it is released? How to bathe a newborn who has not had their umbilical cord different from a normal infant bath? Please find the answer in the article below!
Umbilical care for a newborn is one of the important parts that mothers need to pay attention to in the first few days after birth. With the proper care of the mother, the bacteria will have less chance of invading causing the baby umbilical cord to smell bad.
Learn how to choose baby sleep layers using current safe-sleep guidance, your baby's chest cues, and product labels—without relying on one room-temperature number.
A later-than-usual bedtime does not have to derail a baby’s sleep. Learn how to preserve familiar cues, handle overtiredness, reset gently, and keep sleep safe.
Teething discomfort can begin before a tooth breaks through, but symptoms are not a reliable countdown. Learn what is typical and when to call a clinician.
Learn how to tell a true nap transition from a temporary nap strike, protect enough total sleep, try a schedule change safely, and know when to ask a pediatrician.
A baby waking after 30 minutes may be reaching a lighter stage of sleep, reacting to timing or discomfort, or simply taking a short nap. Learn what to observe, what to try safely, and when to call your pediatrician.
Few teeth do not rule out finger foods. Learn how to choose soft textures, cut foods safely, supervise meals, and recognize choking warning signs.
Compare gentle tummy-time positions, timing, and support options for a baby who cries right away, with clear supervision and sleep-safety guidance.
A baby may refuse a familiar solid food because of fullness, timing, texture, teething, or illness. Learn gentle next steps and when to call a pediatrician.
A practical guide to bottle refusal in breastfed babies: compare timing, caregiver, nipple flow, milk temperature, paced feeding, and when to get help.
Help two caregivers share a calm, flexible baby sleep routine with a clear handoff, age-aware steps, and the same safe-sleep finish.
