How to Clean a Newborn's Umbilical Cord

While in the womb, your baby̵7;s umbilical cord is attached to your uterus and provides nutrition to the fetus. It also carries away any waste products. Once your baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and clipped to prevent bleeding and allow healing. Within four weeks the umbilical stump will dry, shrivel and fall off. During this time it̵7;s important to keep the stump dry and clean.

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton swabs
  • Bowl of warm, soapy water
  • Soft cloth

Instructions

    • 1

      Soak several cotton swabs in the bowl of warm soapy water. Squeeze excess water from the swabs and gently clean the umbilical stump and surrounding skin.

    • 2

      Ensure that you remove any dried, sticky or wet substances from you baby̵7;s stump and skin. Your doctor may advise you to use rubbing alcohol on the stump to help dry it. Before you apply it, gently rub a soothing lotion around the stump to guard baby's sensitive skin.

    • 3

      Check for any signs of bleeding or infection. As your infant̵7;s stump dries it goes from a shiny, damp white to a brown or gray, dried stump. Do not pull the stump off even if it̵7;s hanging by a thread. Allow it to fall off by itself.

    • 4

      Pat the stump and area dry when finished. Roll baby̵7;s diaper below the stump to keep it dry. Keeping the skin and the stump clean and dry helps prevent infection.

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