Umbilical Cord Care

[Ladyj0625]

Alcohol wipes vs cotton swab and alcohol. What is best to use when keeping the umbilical cord area clean?

[Mrs_Baze]

While we're on the subject, I wanted to share; my daughter's cord started smelling a bit, and as a new 19 year old sleep-deprived mom I freaked out. All the books and birthing classes and such told us to get her to the ER if her cord is red and smelly. Well, the ER made it so obvious that I felt really stupid. The cord is dead tissue starting to decompose; of course it will smell a little! So I felt dumb.

[Heatherm4]

You are supposed to just let it be and try not to get water on it. If you do have to wipe away some gunk then I'd say just a cotton swab because a ball could leave fluffies behind! :)
If you get it wet with water then it's more likely to smell bad!

[alleycat81]

I was told not to use anything on it. that wetting it in any way would make it take longer to heal. so i didn't and my little girls fell off after 7 days with no problems!

[sadiasaqib]

I used to clean my sons cord with sterilesed water and cotton wool. . Its perfect way of keeping it natural I never used wipes..

[mommabear27]

No worries :)   we washed our boys when he was in his bath at night and let it air off to dry before ginving it a quick pat tey (well his daddy did cause I hated touching it) x

[Ladyj0625]

Ok I wanted to know what some ppl thought before asking the doctor Monday.

[delyayle]

Mommabear is right, I never used them on either of my kids and it came off just fine

[mommabear27]

You don't need to use alcohol, as that and antiseptics etc can actually make it take longer to heal.    Qashing it with a soft cloth with warm water then let it dry naturally or place an absorbent cloth over it to let it dry. x