Baby's tummy button still weeping at 8 weeks - what to do?

[zazas]

My DD's still has a discharge from her tummy button at 8 weeks. We saw the Doctor for her 6 week check up and he said to leave it - nature take its course etc. But if anything it is getting worse although it is not infected. They prefer not to use silver nitrate now days as has been suggested. I am using calendula cream on it to prevent infection but wondering if others found that by leaving it, healing eventually happened or do I need to take alternative action? Thanks.

Take her back to Dr. At the very least a swab should be taken. As an ex midwife, we always took seriously an umbilicus that was not dry and clean by the time we discharged the baby from our care.

I don't know if the dr suggested any treatment, but I would not recommend calendula cream as any cream is going to keep the area moist, when what you really need to do is keep it clean and dry, and always fold the front of the nappy down to let the air get to her tummy.

If it is not inflamed, and she is not unwell, you could try keeping it clean and dry and uncovered for 24 hours and then reassess.

HTH

Sorry - meant to ask, what does the discharge look like?

What is the amount?

Does it smell of anything?

Does it poke out at all? DS had the same prob and it turned out he had what is called an Unbilical Granuloma...its when part of the stump hasn't dropped off properly. Not a prob at all. You can just go to the Dr and they remove it - no pain or anything as its already dead skin.

Google Unbilical granuloma and see if it looks like what your little one has

DS's didn't, midwife and HV had a good rant about not being able to use silver nitrate anymore, GP suggested to use water with a bit of salt to wash it in in the hope of helping it to dry out.

The discharge is yellow fluid like - crusts over and leaves a mark on clothes nappies etc Just a small amount at a time but consistent. It smells a wee bit if I get my nose right into it

Dr suggested no treatment but a nurse suggested the calendula cream??

It sounds like it coud be a Unbilical granuloma but it is hard to see anything? Nothing pokes out as far as I can see.

we had same problem and used a powder from chemist called sterizac which dried it up, dont know if its still available though.

Mention it to the Dr and see what they say...the dr was able to hold DS's belly button, give it a little squeeze, and a nubbin poked out and he was ahhh U.granuloma...he showed us pics of it on the net and it looked v similar so I would suggest googling the pics and mentioning it to dr too

We used to clean with sugical spirit and dust with sterzac, but I think sterzac has been banned (can't remember why). I do think it should be looked at again as it sounds like it could be infected. Also - it is important to know exactly where the discharge is coming from.

I have to go now, but will keep an eye on this thread and hope that you get it sorted and it gets better soon.

Just an update....

I think it is an unbilical granuloma (thanks to the web) - there certainly was a sticky out bit today when I looked. Took DD along to HV clinic and she said to leave it for another 2 weeks and see if it is continuing to grow as it is easier to deal with when bigger anyway. If it does get bigger then will have to look at options... In the meantime a entry for infection so you are suppose to wash it at each nappy change and get treatment if baby is unwell.

She said it was quite common but from my research only occurs in about 1 in 500 babies and not that many in my area are born here in one year so they can't see that many!

Thanks for your replies