After birth, a small remnant of the umbilical cord stays attached to your baby's belly button, and it usually takes one to three weeks to dry out and fall off on its own. During this time, proper cord care prevents infection and helps it heal faster.
How do you care for the cord stump?
- Keep the area as clean and dry as possible, and avoid covering it tightly under the diaper.
- Fold the diaper's front edge down so it doesn't rub against or dampen the stump.
- Don't try to pull off the cord remnant — let it fall off on its own, no matter how long it seems to be taking.
- Clean it with a cotton pad dampened with plain water only if it gets dirty; avoid alcohol unless your pediatrician recommends it.
Watch for signs of infection — redness around the area, pus-like discharge, a bad smell, or your baby crying when the area is touched — and see your pediatrician right away if you notice any of these.
Your baby's first bath
Before the cord stump falls off, it's best to stick to sponge baths with a damp cloth rather than fully immersing your baby in water, to keep the cord area dry. Once it falls off and the spot heals, you can move on to full bath time.
Pick a moment when your baby is calm and neither too hungry nor too full, and get everything ready beforehand — a towel, clean clothes, and a fresh diaper — so you never have to leave them alone even for a second. Use warm, not hot, water (test it with your elbow), and start by washing the face before the rest of the body, supporting the head and neck carefully the whole time since they're still weak. There's no need to bathe them daily at this stage — two to three times a week is plenty for their sensitive skin.
