Does this umbilical cord look infected (pic included)

[TheAgeOfAquarius]

DS 6 days old. Midwife was out today to take swaps however can take up to 4 days to come back. Oozing has gotten worse since the afternoon and the smell coming from it is awful.

Have called 111 who have advised that as baby has no temp and is taking feeds to leave until tomorrow and try contact midwife unit then. Just wondering if anyone has experienced similar?

[DancingWithWillard]

It does look a bit funky. If you are breast feeding and have a milk supply then use breast milk to wash it a few times a day, if not possible then boil a pint of water, add a teaspoon of salt and when cooled use this to gently clean the area on every nappy change.

[endofthelinefinally]

I think you should ring your gp. That looks nasty.
You can't take chances with a tiny baby.

[endofthelinefinally]

You could ring the post natal ward and speak to a midwife.
I forgot it was weekend.
Lost track with lockdown.

[Alpacamabags]

I think k it looks okay in the pic but 100% agree any nasty smell or oozing needs urgent investigation

[meow1989]

If it stinks I would assume infected. Is the area red or hot to touch? Does baby seem in pain if its touched?

How is baby? Waking for feeds? Easily rousable? Passing urine and stool?

I second the advise to call maternity unit. Make sure to say it's got worse since swab taken despite no temperature and you're worried about how it will be by the morning.

[TheAgeOfAquarius]

Postnatal ward have advised to call 111 and 111 saying to call the midwife, going round in circles

[ParsleyPot]

Congrats on lovely new baby.

I would seek advice.

In the pic, baby's skin looks quite red. It might be just the lighting maybe though?

Perhaps take temperature again.

[TheAgeOfAquarius]

@meow1989 area isn't hot to touch and he is waking for feeds, plenty of wet and dirty nappys and still alert x

[meow1989]

Super helpful to direct you back and forth!

Who did you call last and when?

If it was 111 call the post natal unit, explain that they weren't helpful but you have concerns about your baby. Ask what they would advise if 111 wont help. Ask them what they would advise if not to come in to be seen - care of area and what to look out for etc.

If it was postnatal call 111 and reexplain, say you're not happy with the cord and ask for an ooh gp appointment or whatever service is appropriate in your area if you are concerned enough to think it warrants being seen tonight.

[meow1989]

Sorry that read really bossily! Trust your maternal instinct basically- if you're concerned push for a review. If you think it's ok to wait a bit then make sure to call midwife first thing in the morning.

And congrats by the way. I love it when their little legs are still all curled up like that!

[spacepoppers]

Starting to look like going down the infected route. Normally I would say get a GP appt, but if it gets any worse than this I'd go to A&E to be honest

[hopsalong]

Go to pediatric A&E (Google for nearest one) and you'll be seen very quickly given baby's so young. If there's not one nearby I honestly think you should call 999. This looks pretty unpleasant and although chances are small that it will lead to sepsis, your baby needs to be seen and may need antibiotics. Please don't delay.

[TheAgeOfAquarius]

Thank you so much for your replies, tbh releived to know im not blowing this out of proportion. I called 111 again, was a bit more not taking no for an answer this time round and am currently waiting on a call from ooh with an appointment time to have him checked over.

[sestras]

My daughters looked like this and the midwife took it off, her had pus in it too.

[meow1989]

How is ds @theageofaquarius ?

[TheAgeOfAquarius]

Sorry for delay, so we went to ooh go who sent us straight to our local hospital where he was admitted. Thankfully the infection was just starting so we were 'only' in for for 36 hours however we are home now and he seems totally unphased by everything.

Just want to thank everyone again, I possibly would have listened to NHS24 and left him until morning thinking I was overreacting if it hadn't been for everyone else giving their perspective def the push I needed x

[meow1989]

Oh poor little bean! And poor you, are you doing ok? Such a shock when little ones are ill.

Well done for listening to your mummy instincts, so glad he is in the mend.

[hopsalong]

I'm so glad to hear you were seen! A friend's father died a few weeks ago of something probably treatable because they were too afraid to call an ambulance. I am now terrified of this situation happening to others, and was uneasy at the image you posted. So you've been on my mind. Definitely an indication that your maternal instincts are in the right place and worth listening to. Enjoy your baby!

[PamDenick]

Congrats on your lovely little baby. Sorry you had a bit of a runaround.

Just to add my first DD had an infected belly button and it really upset me! Look after yourself too - it was all fine but my hormones were all over the place.
She is now a 5'8" strapping thing and about to get it pierced once lockdown is over. Be kind to yourself. Enjoy your baby and great instincts!