Bellybutton pus in 2 week old?

[Sherida]

Hi, I've got a beautiful (boast boast) 2 week old daugher. The umbilical cord has fallen off, and now I've noticed a sort of pus oozing from the bellybutton. I've got a doctors appt for tomorrow at 2, but noone can seem to tell me if it's actually a problem or not! Any experience with this? Do I just keep it clean or is there a problem?

Thanks!

My DD2 had a nasty smelling tummy button for ages. I got a big handful of those little wipes they use before giving an injection off the health visitor and wiped her with them every nappy change. That sorted it out. DD1 had an 'outy' so there was nowhere for gunk to gather. But DD2 had an 'inny' so I reckon stuff was gettingin there. I use cloth nappies, so the cloth was sitting on there wet. Same could apply to chemicals out of disposibles though...

Congratulations, bet she's gorgeous! My dd2 had similar stump issues at 2 weeks...GP said keep it clean, but also keep an eye on it: good that you're taking her to see doc, as trained eye will be able to assess.

In dd's case, they thought they might have to cauterize it as it started growing back which, apparently, is not uncommon! In the event though, the pus cleared up and it healed all on its own - I just kept it clean with cool boiled water, and turned her nappy down at the front so it could 'breathe' and not get soggy, IYSWIM.

Well I'm using just cotton wool and water, no smell that I can detect. Nice to know I'm not the only one to have had this.

No need to get an emergency appt then? Probably worrying for nothing, being a first time mum.

No, you don't need an emergency appt. It is very common to have yellow oozy stuff at that age. Keep cleaning it with salt water (boiled, cooled) to avoid infection, and it will eventually turn crusty and sort itself out. I was freaking out with Ds2 last year, whose belly button was bleeding slightly as well, but it resolved itself in the end.

Occasionally they don't heal properly and then the Dr might think about treating it with silver nitrate, but some people use salt instead - be careful and seek advice before doing this, as it can burn the skin.

No need to worry as the HV will let you know if treatment is necessary - it wouldn't be anything urgent and would not be till a few more weeks without resolution.

HTH!

my ds had this and we bathed with cool boiled salt water and it was like this for months as he gained bit of a rounded belly bless him and air couldnt get to it but i did get it checked incase of infection but all was well

congrats on gorgeous dd

Ds has this. Was a bit whiffy too. Took him to GP who took a swab. Saw the midwife also and she game me some Styrzil (I think) asnti-septic dusting powder. It cleared up quickly and then had a phone call from the doctor to say the swab showed an infection, but we decided that since it had cleared up there was no need for further treatment.

Weepy belly buttons are quite common after cord separation. Sometimes it can be because of infection or because of a small umbilical granuloma.

Ask your GP to take a peek tomorrow. It most likely is an UG and may resolve itself by 6 weeks. Nowadays we tend to use salt or alcohol swabs if it hasn't gone by then.

Just keep the belly button clean and dry in the meantime.