Signs of a problem

During the healing process, it's normal to see a little blood near the stump. Much like a scab, the cord stump might bleed a little when it falls off.

However, contact your baby's doctor if the umbilical area oozes pus, the surrounding skin becomes red and swollen, or the area develops a pink moist bump. These could be signs of an umbilical cord infection. Prompt treatment is needed to stop the infection from spreading.

Also, talk to your baby's doctor if the stump still hasn't separated after three weeks. This might be a sign of an underlying problem, such an infection or immune system disorder.