How long does it take for a newborn's belly button to return to normal?

Mar 13, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, a newborn's umbilical cord stump will gradually heal within 1 to 2 weeks after birth. During this process, the skin around the navel will gradually dry out, form a scab, and eventually fall off, resulting in a normal navel. This is a normal stage of physiological development in newborns. Parents only need to keep the area around the navel clean and dry, avoiding excessive friction and irritation.

　　The recovery time for a newborn's navel varies due to individual differences, but generally it returns to normal within 1-2 weeks. If the navel has not healed after two weeks, there may be an abnormal condition such as an infection, and timely medical attention is required. Detailed analysis is as follows:

　　Under normal circumstances, a newborn's navel gradually heals within 1-2 weeks after birth. During this process, the skin around the navel gradually dries, forms a scab, and eventually falls off, forming a normal navel. This is a normal stage of physiological development in newborns. Parents only need to keep the area around the navel clean and dry, avoiding excessive friction and irritation.

　　If a newborn's navel has not healed after two weeks, or if symptoms such as redness, swelling, discharge, or fever appear, the navel area may be infected. In such cases, parents should promptly take the newborn to see a doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment. Infections can cause discomfort to the newborn and may even lead to more serious complications.

　　During the recovery period of the newborn's navel, parents should follow the doctor’s instructions to properly care for the newborn's navel to ensure healthy growth.

　　[References]

　　[1] Wu Ping. Nursing Study on the Effects of Artificial Umbilical Cord Cutting and Natural Separation in Newborns [J]. Electronic Journal of Practical Clinical Nursing Science, 2018, 3(17): 110+112.

　　[2] Wu Defang. How to Care for a Newborn's Navel [J]. Happy Family, 2020, (07): 11.

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