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What Causes Light Bleeding From Umbilicus Of An Infant?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016
Question: Hi Doctor,

My daughter is 8 days old. Her umbilical cord stump fell off 4 days ago. Today my mother bathed her. Today afternoon we observed a drop of blood coming from her umbilicus, and other drop came in the evening. Is that normal/ do we need to go to the hospital? Can we apply “povidone iodine powder” at her umbilicus. We gently applied coconut oil at the umbilicus just now. I’ve attached the photos of her umbilicus. Please suggest us.

Before bathing my mother massaged her with oil. Even while bathing she stretched our baby’s legs and hands, massaged her head and back. Can we do that? Does this cause any good/bad to the baby.

Thanks you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not a problem

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It is OK if one or two drops of blood come out occasionally. You need not worry unless there is profuse bleeding. Check for foul smell. Unless that is present, you need not take the child to a doctor. As of now continue to apply povidone iodine powder on the navel till the navel becomes dry.

It is OK to massage the baby and that is good for the baby. But you need not use oil. Oil is poorly absorbed through the skin.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (35 hours later)
Thank you doctor for the reply.

Date of birth of baby:     22 July.
Cord stump fell off:     26 July.
bleeding observed (age 10 days):     day before yesterday, 30 July (two times/drops). yesterday bleeding was bit more, 3-4 times/drops.

There is no smell and the naval looks clean.

I’ve attached the photo when blood came. We are planning to go to hospital today if the blood comes again. Please suggest.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

You need not worry. Such a thing is common and it would still be ok if one or two drops come again. It is only if there is profuse bleeding that there is a cause for concern. I have seen yesterday's image. If you feel apprehensive you can take him to your doctor who would administer a dose of Injection Vitamin K intramuscular one dose and hopefully things would be fine.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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What Causes Light Bleeding From Umbilicus Of An Infant?

Brief Answer: Not a problem Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on Health care magic. I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It is OK if one or two drops of blood come out occasionally. You need not worry unless there is profuse bleeding. Check for foul smell. Unless that is present, you need not take the child to a doctor. As of now continue to apply povidone iodine powder on the navel till the navel becomes dry. It is OK to massage the baby and that is good for the baby. But you need not use oil. Oil is poorly absorbed through the skin. Regards