Cord Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Signs/Symptoms

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Your baby's umbilical cord should be kept clean and dry until it falls off. Using a cotton ball or cotton tip applicator, put rubbing alcohol on the area where the stump attaches to your baby's skin. The rubbing alcohol prevents infection and helps dry the stump. Do this twice a day, and continue for a week after the stump falls off.
• Keep your baby's diaper folded down below the stump area. The air will help dry the stump. Give your baby a sponge bath instead of a tub bath until the stump has fallen off and the area is healed.
• The stump may bleed slightly when it begins to fall off. This is normal and should not cause concern. Your baby's belly button should be healed in 5 to 10 days. No special care is needed after this time.

Call Your Doctor If...

• The belly button is draining bad-smelling green or yellow liquid.
• The belly button has a bad smell after it is cleaned.
• The skin around the belly button is red or swollen.
• Your baby's temperature is rising.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• Your baby has a high temperature.

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