How long did it take ...........?

My 4 kids umbilicals all fell off within the first 2 weeks of being home. Our last son was a few day after we got home from hosp...so he was like 9 days old he was a little fast... Just keep it clean and dry and make sure if you do give a bath its just a quick one. Please do not put rubbing alcohol on it as it can extend the healing process. I know some doctors still reccomend that but its not really good as it keeps it wetter than it would be if you just wash it normally. If it seems to smell or starts to have a discharge call your doctor asap...

Usually after the first couple of weeks....my mother-in-law told me to put alcohol on my daughters (which you aren't suppose to do) and it didn't fall off till she was about 3-months old. Drove me NUTS!

It can take up to 2 weeks for it to dry up, fall off and heal. Many doctors tell moms not to get it wet, and to clean it gently, but this is not the fact. You can give baby baths, and don't have to worry about it, just be gentle drying off the baby afterwards, and it needs no special care.