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