Taking care of a newborn’s umbilical cord stump is simple: keep it clean and dry, avoid abrasive clothing, let it fall off naturally, and watch for signs of infection. Sponge baths are recommended until the stump falls off, and rubbing alcohol may not be necessary. Once the stump falls off, do not try to remove it yourself and watch for signs of infection.
One of the scariest things a new parent faces is how to deal with a newborn’s umbilical cord stump. It looks like an ominous plague and can look very intimidating, but in truth, taking care of the stump is very simple. The umbilical cord stump should be kept clean and dry, should not be brushed abrasively off clothing, should be allowed to fall off naturally, and should be observed for any signs of infection.
The umbilical cord stump will fall off after it heals and dries out, so the stump should be kept as clean and dry as possible to allow this to happen naturally. Newborns should only be given sponge baths and should never be immersed in water until the stump falls off. To do this, lay the baby on a towel in a safe place, wet a washcloth and add a small amount of mild baby soap. Wash one area at a time with the soapy washcloth and then remove the soap with a clean wet washcloth. Repeat this procedure until the entire baby is clean, but avoid the umbilical cord stump and the area immediately around it.
There is some controversy as to whether the stump should be periodically cleaned with rubbing alcohol. A large study found that umbilical cord stumps that were cleaned with rubbing alcohol took longer to fall off than stumps left alone. Cleaning a stump with rubbing alcohol does not appear to significantly reduce infection, but it does reduce the unpleasant odor associated with some umbilical cord stumps. You should ask your pediatrician which one he prefers and follow his advice.
The stump should also be left to air out as much as possible without overcooling the baby. An infant’s diaper should be folded underneath so it doesn’t rub against the stump, or special diapers for infants should be used, with a notch near the navel area. You should try to prevent clothes from rubbing against the stump of the umbilical cord by avoiding tight-fitting clothes and choosing loose-fitting shirts or nightgowns instead.
Once the umbilical cord stump has healed and dried, it will fall off. You should never try to remove the stump yourself or coax it out. Remember that it may take up to two weeks for the umbilical cord stump to fall off.
You should be vigilant for any signs of infection during the time it takes for the stump to dry and fall off. Signs of an infection include redness or swelling near the bottom of the stump, discolored pus oozing from the stump area, or fever. A smelly umbilical cord stump can be a sign of infection or it can be due to dried tissue. If you experience any of the signs of infection, you should call your pediatrician.
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