Immediately after birth, your newborn's umbilical cord was cut and tied, forming his bellybutton. This cut umbilical cord requires care and frequent cleaning to prevent infection while it heals. One the cord stump falls off, which generally occurs a couple of weeks after birth, you can begin giving your baby tub baths and treating the area like any other region of his body. Consult your baby's pediatrician if you have concerns about caring for his bellybutton.
Step 1
Wash the cord stump with water and mild baby soap if it becomes dirty, sticky, or soaked in urine or feces. Dry it well with a clean, lint-free cloth and then allow it to air-dry as long as possible.
Step 2
Clean the stump with rubbing alcohol if told to do so by your baby's pediatrician. Soak the end of a cotton swab in alcohol and wipe all around the stump, several times each day.
Step 3
Fold down your newborn's diaper so that her bellybutton remains exposed to the air at all times, and change diapers and wet clothing promptly. Newborn diapers are available with an area cut out at the top for the umbilical cord stump.
Step 4
Give your only baby sponge baths until the cord falls off. Soaking your baby's bellybutton in water delays healing and may cause infection.
Step 5
Check the cord for infection every day. While umbilical cord infections are uncommon, they are potentially serious and can spread to surrounding tissue very quickly, according to the National Institutes of Health. Signs of infection include a fever, foul-smelling discharge from the stump, tenderness, redness and swelling.
Tips and Warnings
- Do not be alarmed if your baby's umbilical cord changes color before falling off. Most go through color changes from yellow to brown to black before healing is complete.
- Pulling off your newborn's umbilical cord too soon may cause it to bleed. If the stump actively bleeds, meaning that the blood immediately reappears when you wipe it clean, consult your baby's doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Baby soap
- Lint-free towels
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swabs
