Kathy,
You are absolutely right about if the cord falls off too early... Isn't it
dreadful that some of our "good" ideas can not be so good. Oh well. I
really did think Torrey was going to go to kindergarten with her cord on...it
took absolutely forever. But Jill's & Tim's came off within about 2 weeks.
Probably the best gauge is when the baby is latching on well CONSISTENTLY
(who ever posted the list of three criteria - it was good); the mother isn't
at all sore, and the baby is gaining weight. That assures that the baby has
at least had a visit somewhere to see that they are gaining weight. Well,
maybe. But that's probably better than any arbitrary time frame of 2 weeks
or 3 weeks or cord falling off.
And they could still have a coming off party for the cord!
Jan