The belly button, or umbilicus, is the permanent scar remaining from the connection between a mother and her developing baby. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord acts as the sole lifeline, transporting oxygenated blood and nutrients from the placenta to the fetus. It also carries deoxygenated blood and waste products away from the baby. This exchange ceases immediately after birth, rendering the cord unnecessary.
The Umbilical Cord Stump: Structure and Function
The umbilical cord typically contains three vessels: one large umbilical vein and two smaller umbilical arteries. These vessels are coiled within a protective, gelatinous substance known as Wharton’s jelly. This jelly acts as a cushion, preventing compression or kinking of the vessels and interrupting blood flow.
After delivery, the cord is clamped and cut a few inches from the baby’s abdomen, leaving the umbilical stump. The vessels inside the stump quickly close down since they are no longer needed for circulation. The remaining tissue immediately begins drying and shriveling, which starts the final healing process.
Essential Care and the Healing Timeline
The primary goal of cord care is to encourage the stump to dry out quickly so it detaches naturally. Current medical recommendations favor a “dry care” approach, meaning the stump should be kept clean and exposed to air. Historically, rubbing alcohol was used, but studies show this practice can irritate the skin and delay separation time.
Parents should ensure the stump remains uncovered by folding down the top edge of the diaper or using diapers with a precut notch. Exposing the stump to air accelerates the drying process necessary for it to fall off. While the stump is present, use sponge baths rather than submerging the baby in water.
The stump will naturally shrivel, change color from bluish-white to black or brown, and then detach. Separation typically occurs within 5 to 15 days after birth, though it can sometimes take up to three weeks. It is important to let the process happen naturally, as pulling or picking at the stump can cause bleeding or infection.
Recognizing Signs of Potential Complications
While healing is usually straightforward, parents should be aware of signs indicating a complication requiring medical attention. One concern is omphalitis, an infection of the umbilicus and surrounding tissues. Signs include spreading redness or swelling around the base of the stump, a foul-smelling discharge, or pus draining from the area.
A baby with an infection may also develop a fever or show pain when the area is lightly touched. Another common issue is an umbilical granuloma, an overgrowth of tissue that forms after the cord falls off. This appears as a soft, pink or cherry-red lump that may weep small amounts of clear or yellowish fluid, indicating excess scar tissue.
A third condition is an umbilical hernia, which presents as a bulge or swelling around the belly button, especially noticeable when the baby cries or strains. This occurs because the abdominal muscles beneath the navel have not completely closed. Although they can look alarming, most umbilical hernias are harmless and resolve by the time a child is one to two years old.
The Final Result: Understanding Innie and Outie Belly Buttons
The final appearance of the belly button, whether “innie” (concave) or “outie” (convex), is determined by scar formation. The depth and shape of the navel are largely a matter of chance, dictated by how the skin heals and attaches to the underlying abdominal wall. It is an anatomical variation, similar to having a different hair or eye color.
How the umbilical cord was clamped or cut at birth has no bearing on whether the baby develops an innie or an outie. An outie navel is simply a protruding scar, sometimes due to extra skin or scar tissue. Both innies and outies are considered normal variations of the healed umbilicus.