Caring for your newborn's belly button
Anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks after birth, your newborn's umbilical cord stump will dry up and fall off, leaving a small wound that may take a few days to heal.
To hasten healing and prevent infection you should give the area special care. It must be kept clean and dry. Try these tips:
- Fold the diaper below the stump to keep urine off and expose the stump to air.
- Skip tub baths until the cord falls off and the area heals completely. While giving sponge baths, avoid wetting the navel.
- In warm weather avoid one-piece undershirts until the cord has fallen off. A diaper and T-shirt will let air circulate.
- Some doctors recommend swabbing the stump with rubbing alcohol to keep the area clean and hasten drying. Others recommend leaving it alone but cleaning around it. You should discuss this with your baby’s doctor.
- If the area around the navel becomes red or swollen, if it oozes, or your child develops a fever, the site may be infected. Call your doctor.
