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Original poster

Keeping a baby's belly button

53 replies

PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:00

Can anyone tell me if this is normal practise? And what you views are on it?

I've recently found out that my FIL has kept my DH's belly button/cord stump, whatever you want to call it and I'm disgusted by it!

I didn't even know this was a thing, since it's basically rotting flesh. He seemed quite proud when he announced it, it made me want to throw up and has since made me feel a bit weird about him.

OP posts:
ElizaWinter · 26/07/2023 10:02

Umbilical cord

aSofaNearYou · 26/07/2023 10:02

Belly button is a bit of a confusing thing to call it, it's the umbilical cord, belly button is the bit that's still there.

I wouldn't keep it and would find it a bit gross but it certainly wouldn't change my opinion of someone anymore than keeping their child's teeth would.

Hazeltrees · 26/07/2023 10:03

I've kept my child's one

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CopperSeahorses · 26/07/2023 10:03

I didn't keep my children's stumps but I do know of people who have, each to their own I guess.

YouveGotAFastCar · 26/07/2023 10:04

Really common, I think. We got given a few memory boxes when our son was born, and almost all of them had a box or section to keep the umbilical cord in; along with first hair/first teeth/hospital band.

We didn't keep ours, but that's because I'm quite scared of belly buttons, and the idea of it creeped me out a bit. I can't imagine DS would want it when he's older but if he does, I'll apologise and explain!

Original poster
PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:04

Sorry, it's not the full cord. It's the bit that falls off with the peg. Is that still called the umbilical cord?

OP posts:
FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 26/07/2023 10:06

I kept the cord clamp but I chucked the bit of manky dried-out cord attached to it!

VeridicalVagabond · 26/07/2023 10:06

My friend had her son's made into a keyring. I personally find it really gross and don't know why you'd want to keep what amounts to a scab, but to each their own I suppose. I'd rather have photos of my daughter than bits of her dessicated flesh in a memory box 🤢

CombatBarbie · 26/07/2023 10:07

PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:04

Sorry, it's not the full cord. It's the bit that falls off with the peg. Is that still called the umbilical cord?

🙄🙄 Yes.... And it's very common to keep.

Approaching · 26/07/2023 10:07

Common to keep it, but personally I find it gross!

Original poster
PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:08

@CombatBarbie I've actually never heard of it myself, so no need for the eye roll.

OP posts:
Original poster
PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:10

VeridicalVagabond · 26/07/2023 10:06

My friend had her son's made into a keyring. I personally find it really gross and don't know why you'd want to keep what amounts to a scab, but to each their own I suppose. I'd rather have photos of my daughter than bits of her dessicated flesh in a memory box 🤢

This is too much for me! 🤮

OP posts:
SmileyClare · 26/07/2023 10:11

Yes it’s part of the umbilical cord. Have a look at some diagrams of where a baby is attached to the cord and placenta.

Sorry but feeling “weird, sick and disgusted” is a little immature.

I think there are only so many keepsakes you can hold onto from your dc’s childhood. This isn’t one for me but each to their own- it’s just a sentimental object and will be completely dried out- not “rotting flesh” as you describe.

Sorry but your reaction is childish.

Lemevoir · 26/07/2023 10:14

Ha! This reminds me of when my PFB was a few days old and the midwife visited us at home. DS's cord had fallen off, and I'd kept it in a box to show the midwife - for her to check that everything was as it should be. The midwife was horrified and weirded out that I'd shown her! I promptly threw DS's cord away...

FixTheBone · 26/07/2023 10:18

Must be a common thing - myself and my siblings all have old-style photo albums that my parents put together - they each have our hospital wristband, a small lock of hair and the clip and cord stump from when we were born.

We haven't chosen to do the same for our kids though.

ElizaWinter · 26/07/2023 10:18

I'm not sure it would make a very attractive keyring tbh. 👀

HeadacheEarthquake · 26/07/2023 10:23

PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:08

@CombatBarbie I've actually never heard of it myself, so no need for the eye roll.

Whilst I won't be eye rolling, that's a very important thing to not have heard of, we were taught from a young age at school how a baby develops and the umbilical cord is well, basically it.

Original poster
PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:25

@HeadacheEarthquake it's the keeping it as a keepsake that I'm referring g to.

OP posts:
Misaki · 26/07/2023 10:30

I live in Japan where everyone keeps the umbilical cord. The hospital even sends you home with a little wooden box to keep it in. Japanese people believed that if the umbilical cord is lost, then the child's soul is also lost - so people traditionally keep them. My husbands parents still have his, and they also have their own which they received after their own parents died.

SmileyClare · 26/07/2023 10:31

I’d think it’s lovely that your FIL treasures the memory of his son being born and wants something to keep to remind him of that.

But sure, if you feel sick and disgusted by him and think he’s Jeff Dahmer then go NC immediately.

LakeTiticaca · 26/07/2023 10:31

Ugh no thanks. Why would anyone need a reminder of the horrific pain and loss of dignity that giving birth brings? Just look at your kids if you want to be reminded 🤣 Still, each to their own I guess 🙂

pontipinemum · 26/07/2023 10:33

I didn't keep DS's one but people do. I wouldn't want to see it but it's sort of sweet your FIL is so proud to still have DHs one. I wouldn't change my opinion of FIL either, that's very judgemental.

WeetabixTowels · 26/07/2023 10:35

God no! My kids’ went straight in the bin - it’s gross.

Hollyppp · 26/07/2023 10:36

Absolutely gross

HeadacheEarthquake · 26/07/2023 10:37

PollyWollyDoodleAllTheDay · 26/07/2023 10:25

@HeadacheEarthquake it's the keeping it as a keepsake that I'm referring g to.

Fair enough, sorry for misunderstanding you, I thought you meant it as in the cord itself! You can see why that would have been alarming Shock