Caring for Your Newborn: Umbilical Cord

When your baby is born, the doctor cuts the umbilical cord and leaves a small stump attached to the baby's navel.

Until the stump falls off and the navel heals, you'll need to keep the area clean and dry.

At first, the stump will look white and shiny, and it may feel a little damp.

As it dries, it may look brown, gray, or even black.

The stump usually falls off a week or two after birth.

You'll see a red, raw-looking spot, which is the baby's navel.

A little fluid and blood may ooze out of the navel for a week or two after the stump falls off.

To clean the area, soak a cotton swab in warm water and mild soap.

Squeeze out the excess water.

Use the swab to wipe around the sides of the stump and the skin around it.

Then gently pat the skin dry with a soft cloth.

Keep your baby's diaper folded below the stump and navel to keep the area dry.

If folding doesn't work so well, try cutting out an area in the front of the diaper.

But make sure to cut the diaper before you put it on your baby.

And when you give your baby a bath, keep the stump and navel above the water until the stump has fallen off and the navel has healed.

If the stump doesn't dry completely within 2 weeks, or if the navel area seems to be infected, give your baby's doctor a call.