Umbilical and Circumcision Care Overview

Umbilical and Circumcision Care

• The umbilical cord stump will look bluish-purple and have a plastic clamp on it. The clamp will be removed at the hospital before going home. The umbilical stump will fall off in about two or three weeks.
• Until it falls off, keep the stump clean and dry.
• Wipe the cord with alcohol and always fold the diaper below the cord.
• It is normal for there to be a bit of bleeding when the cord falls off.

Watch the umbilical cord area for signs of infection, including:

• Foul odor
• Red skin around the stump
• Yellow fluid coming from the stump
• Fever: Rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher

If you think the umbilical cord stump is infected, call your physician or nurse practitioner.

Circumcision

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of the penis. This procedure is conducted while the baby is in the hospital. A consent form must be signed before the circumcision. After the circumcision, your baby will be in pain for a few hours and will need some extra cuddling.

Use the following guidelines to care for your baby after the circumcision:

• After the circumcision, the physician will place a small amount of petroleum jelly on your baby's penis and wrap a thin strip of gauze over the wound
• Keep this area clean and dry and at each diaper change, apply petroleum jelly and a clean gauze pad. Continue this care until the discharge stops and the redness fades away in about two to three days
• The penis usually heals in five to seven days. During this time, you may gently wash the penis with warm water and pat dry. A tub bath should be avoided until the penis has healed and the umbilical cord has fallen off

Call your baby's physician, nurse practitioner or the emergency room if any of the following happens:

• There's heavy, bright-red bleeding that cannot be stopped by pressing on the bleeding area
• The baby has not had a wet diaper by eight to 10 hours after the circumcision
• The penis shows signs of infection: swelling, increased redness or foul-smelling discharge
• Rectal temperature is over 100.4 degrees F. Check the temperature if he has lost his appetite, looks redder than usual, has very warm skin, is less active or has many watery bowel movements