Cord care

The umbilical cord (cord from the naval attaching the baby to the mother) is often shed within three weeks.

The things you should be careful about:

• Keep it clean and dry.
• Wipe the cord with cotton wet in alcohol to prevent infection for a week even after the cord falls off.
• Do not cover the cord in the diaper. Leave it exposed to help it dry.
• Do not bathe the baby in the tub. Sponge bath is enough till the cord falls away and dries out.
• The cord may bleed when it is starting to fall off. Nothing to worry.

Call for immediate help if:

• There is infection (smells bad or there is some draining of some liquid).
• There is bad smell even after cleaning it.
• There is redness or swelling around the naval area.
• Baby has fever.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha; Last updated: 20.11.07 © Medhospital Foundation

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