Q: Is it normal for my baby’s cord to have some blood when we clean it?

Answered by: Dr Hon Sai Kit, Pediatrician, Pantai Hospital Ampang

Umbilical cord contains vessels (two arteries and one vein) which are surrounded by a gelatinous tissue called Wharton’s jelly.

These vessels are important to drive blood between the foetus and placenta for gases, nutrients and metabolites exchange. 

Umbilicus is clamped at at birth.

It is normal to see some minimal blood stained on cloth or diaper during the first few hours of life after birth.

There will be some remnant of blood clot formed and found inside the cord depending on the length of cord cut beyond the clamp.

However, it is not normal if you still find blood oozing from the cord cutting surface days after baby is born. 

Cord separation normally occurs one week after birth, typically at 5 to 7 days although some can be delayed up to three weeks.

This cord separation creates the umbilicus (commonly referred to as the navel).

This process is initiated by constriction of the cord vessels, formation of blood clot followed by cord tissue breakdown by cells derived from the immune system.

When cord is detached from the umbilicus, you may find minimal blood clot at the base but it can be easily cleaned and removed by wiping it with antiseptic wipe or solution. 

However, this process may also be incomplete and lead to the formation of some remnant of raw umbilical tissue at base of navel after weeks most commonly known as umbilical granuloma or polyps.

These tissues are soft, moist, pink and friable may somehow cause bleed after friction. 

If you are experiencing persistent fresh blood oozing from umbilicus after cord separation, do bring your baby for medical check up and advice.