How Long Does It Take for a Babys Umbilical Cord to Fall Off?

The umbilical cord of a newborn typically falls off within a certain time frame, usually beginning around 7 days after birth and most commonly occurring within the first 2 weeks. However, some babies may experience delayed umbilical cord separation until around 3 weeks after birth.

The umbilical vein passes through the hepatic sinusoids along the inner surface of the fetal abdominal wall, and the umbilical arteries connect with the fetal aorta. The other ends of these two types of blood vessels form a network of interconnected capillaries distributed within the placental villi.

Through the osmotic action of the placental villous epithelium, material exchange occurs between the fetal placental fluid and the maternal blood within the villous gap. If the umbilical cord separation time exceeds 4 weeks after birth, it is generally considered abnormal, and it is recommended to consult a doctor for specific examination and confirmation.

For instance, some babies may have thicker umbilical cords that are not tightly tied after birth, which may lead to delayed separation. Other babies may have underlying medical conditions, such as congenital hypothyroidism, which may also affect the timing of umbilical cord separation. Therefore, the situation should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If a baby's umbilical cord separation is delayed, it is recommended to consult a doctor for a physical examination to confirm the situation. In some cases, local treatment, such as re-tying and cutting, may be sufficient. However, if the doctor detects other abnormal signs during the examination, such as feeding difficulties or delayed jaundice resolution, the possibility of an underlying condition should be considered.

In such cases, further investigation may be required as per the doctor's instructions to confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan.