How long will it take for the belly button to heal?

During the first week after birth, the umbilical cord will dry up slowly and it will turn into a dry brown or black stump. The stump will slowly start coming off after 7-10 days and then finally come off altogether. The belly button that forms as a result will look like an open sore, but it will not look red or infected. The open sore of the belly button will heal slowly during the first 2-4 weeks after delivery and it should be healed completely by the time your baby turns 2 months old. Rarely, it may take longer than 2 months to close. It is best to allow the baby’s belly button to heal on its own. During the process of healing, it is quite normal to notice a little crust or dried blood on the stump. However, if your baby develops a fever or if the umbilical region: - Develops redness and swelling - Develops bleeding - Develops oozing of yellow-colored pus - Develops a foul-smelling discharge These are signs of infection and the baby should be brought to a doctor for consultation. You can refer to this article for more information: http://www.newkidscenter.com/Baby-Belly-Button.html