How to Care for Newborn Umbilical Cord
When you first bring your baby home, one of the things you will quickly learn is how to care for their umbilical cord. That tiny stump on their belly button is what is left from birth, and it will slowly dry, shrink, and fall away when it is ready.
Most babies lose it somewhere between one and three weeks. Some cords fall off in just a few days, while others take a little longer.
While you wait, your job is to keep it clean and let it heal. It becomes part of your daily newborn care routine. If you are balancing cord care with diaper changes, you might also like Newborn Poop Colors: What’s Normal or Not for Baby.
How Long You Might Be Staring at That Cord
Umbilical cords usually fall off between day five and week three. As the days pass, it will start to dry, its color will fade to a darker shade, and the texture will change. Sometimes it drops off when you least expect it, during a diaper change or while you are dressing your baby.
If it is still there after four weeks or if it does not seem to be healing, check in with your pediatrician. This is part of normal belly button healing, but it should not continue for too long without progress.
Keeping the Belly Button Area Clean
Doctors do not all recommend the same approach. Some advise dry cord care, while others still suggest using alcohol.
For all three of my children, my pediatrician recommended cleaning with alcohol after each bath. I would spray a small amount on the stump and gently clean around the base with a cotton bud.
No matter which method your doctor suggests, the goal is the same. Keep the area clean, prevent the diaper from rubbing, and check it daily.
Steps for Umbilical Cord Care
Follow your pediatrician’s method:
1. Follow your pediatrician’s method
If alcohol care is recommended, spray a small amount of alcohol directly on the cord and gently wipe around it with a cotton bud. If you’re doing dry care, simply keep the area clean and let it air dry without adding anything.
2. Include Cord Care in Bath Time
For alcohol care, clean the stump right after the bath while your baby is still warm and relaxed, making sure to gently get around the base. For dry care, only wipe the area with a damp cotton ball if it’s visibly dirty, then pat it dry right away.
3. Keep the Area Dry Between Cleanings
Try to keep the stump dry throughout the day. Avoid letting it soak in water, and if it does get wet, gently pat it dry with a soft cloth. The more air that reaches it, the quicker it will heal.
4. Prevent Diaper Rubbing
Many newborn diapers have a small cutout at the front that keeps the cord exposed. If yours is not designed this way, simply fold the front of the diaper to keep it from touching the area.
5. Check the Area Daily
Take a quick look at the cord each day to make sure it’s healing as expected. Watch for redness, swelling, unusual discharge, or an unpleasant smell. If you notice any of these, call your pediatrician.
Alcohol or No Alcohol: Why the Advice Differs
Some newer guidelines lean toward dry cord care because alcohol can slow healing in certain babies. In other cases, alcohol is recommended to help prevent infection, especially in warmer climates or if the risk is higher.
What works best often depends on your pediatrician’s advice and your baby’s environment.
When to Call the Pediatrician
A healing cord can look a little odd, but it shouldn’t be inflamed or smell bad. Call your pediatrician if you see redness spreading from the belly button, swelling or warmth in the area, yellow or green discharge, a strong odor, or bleeding that doesn’t stop after a few drops.
Fever or unusual fussiness when you touch the area is also worth getting checked.
If you’re unsure whether the fussiness is related to the cord, you might like What to Do When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying.
Bath Time While the Cord Is Still Attached
Until the cord falls off and the skin is healed, avoid soaking it for too long. In the Philippines, some parents give quick daily baths in a small tub, while others prefer to wipe their baby down with a warm, damp washcloth.
If your doctor recommends alcohol care, cleaning the stump becomes part of that bath routine.
Bath Options You Can Try
- A quick tub bath with shallow water can work well. Just keep the cord from staying underwater and dry it right after.
- A warm washcloth bath works too. Give your baby a gentle wipe, making sure to get into all those little folds and creases, and then dry them completely.
When the Cord Finally Comes Off
That Little Pink Bump
After the cord is gone, you might notice a small pink bump in the belly button. Most of the time it is nothing to worry about, but it is still worth having your pediatrician take a look.
A Little Blood Is Normal
You may also see a few drops of blood when the stump comes off. This is common and should stop quickly without soaking through clothing. If the bleeding continues, call your pediatrician.
Wrapping It Up
Caring for your baby’s umbilical cord is a short-term job, but it matters. Whether your routine is dry care or alcohol cleaning, the focus is the same: keep it clean, keep it dry, and watch for signs of infection.
Before long, the cord will be gone, the belly button will be healed, and you’ll be moving on to the next stage of baby care.
Mommy Ces
Mom of three, figuring things out one day at a time. I write about the real parts of motherhood, the messy days, the little wins, and all the in-betweens that don’t always make it to Instagram. This space is a mix of stories, reflections, and reminders that you're not alone.
