[nicoleandeli]

I think my sons umbilical cord is infected, it is slimy and the slime in a brown color

[tickle]

Umbilical cord should not be attached still, and what is left on newborns shrivels up and disappears, so what you see you should probably visit your doctor for a diagnoses. How old is your baby?

[jenniepepsi]

Tickle, it may be that she is talking about the stump left after birth. It takes a few weeks to go away (well, these days it does, because doctors tell us NOT to use rubbing alcohol to dry it out, I did anyway lol)

I want to know how old baby is too.

Have you taken him to the doctor yet?

[J_9]

umbilical cord should not be attached still, and what is left on newborns shrivels up and disappears, so what you see you should probably visit your doctor for a diagnoses. How old is your baby?

It doesn't "disapper," it falls off. Yes, the stub of the umbilical cord stays attached for about 2 weeks.

doctors tell us NOT to use rubbing alcohol to dry it out,

That doctor should lose his license. Alcohol SHOULD be used to dry it out.

To the OP, if the umbilical cord is not yellow/brown and dry, you should take your baby to the pediatrician. You should be using alcohol to dry it and make sure not to get it wet when giving a bath.

[DoulaLC]

doctors tell us NOT to use rubbing alcohol to dry it out

This will depend on where you live, as it will vary from area to area, as well as with different care providers. Many still do recommend the use of rubbing alcohol, many others feel healing is promoted with just keeping the area dry. Newer studies lean towards the less is better option.

OP, has the cord fallen off yet? Is the gooey look what was left or is it the cord itself that looks gooey? Any odor? Redness around the site?

When in doubt, take baby in to have it looked at.

[Alty]

I actually had an infection when I was a few weeks old on my belly button/umbilical cord stump. Rubbing alcohol wasn't used back then, and I had to have surgery because of the infection. Because of that surgery I have the inniest inny you'll ever see.

I used rubbing alcohol with both my kids. When my son was born it was recommended, when my daughter was born 4 years later I was told not to use rubbing alcohol, but I did anyway, just like I laid her on her side and not her back, even though that was the new protocol, which also changed in the 4 years between my son and daughter (when my son was born it was side only, never back or tummy).

How are you caring for it now? How old is baby? Is it only brown, or is there pus?

We need more info.