How to Clean an Umbilical Cord Stump on a Newborn Baby

An umbilical-cord stump can be a source of fear and anxiety, as new parents are often afraid they will hurt the baby or do something wrong when cleaning it. It is not uncommon for a stump to get dirty (especially for infant boys, as they tend to urinate "up"). Cleaning the stump as directed can help in the drying-up process, helping the stump to fall off sooner. Not cleaning the stump can lead to infection. Alleviate your doubts and fears about how to clean the area by memorizing the following steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol

1. On a changing table or other safe surface, lay the baby on his back. Expose the baby's tummy. Make sure the diaper is folded under, away from the stump.

2. Dip a swab in rubbing alcohol.

3. Place your forefinger and middle finger on the baby's tummy, with the tips of your fingers almost touching her stump. Press lightly to expose the base of the stump. The baby may squirm, but she is only reacting to the pressure.

4. With the alcohol swab in your other hand, gently rub around the base of the stump.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 as you move around to each side of the stump. Depending on how bad the buildup of dead stump cells is, you may need to use another alcohol-dipped swab to clean thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash your hands before beginning this process, as germs and bacteria can easily transfer from your hands to the baby. After cleaning, continue to keep the area of the stump dry and free of anything that can cause irritation, such as the top of a diaper. Even after the stump falls off, clean the area regularly and keep it dry until the navel completely heals.
• A certain amount of dead-stump-cell buildup around the base of the stump is normal, and will look like specs of black or dark brown. However, if you notice a substantial buildup of pus around the base, you need to consult your pediatrician. Note that if the stump has an odor, cleaning it as mentioned will usually take care of the problem. If the odor does not go away within six hours, call your pediatrician, as this could be a sign of infection.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Stump-cleaning procedures from WebMD