In this article7 sections
For the umbilical cord stump, the main rules are simple: keep it clean, keep it dry and let it fall off by itself. For bathing, always stay with your baby, use warm (not hot) water and keep baths short and gentle.
This guide explains how to look after the cord, how to bathe a newborn safely, what to know about traditional oil massage, and the signs of infection that need a doctor.
What happens to the cord stump?
After birth the cord is clamped and cut, leaving a small stump that dries, shrivels and falls off. Sources give slightly different timings. MedlinePlus says it usually falls off in 5 to 15 days and advises contacting your baby’s provider if it is still there at about 4 weeks. HealthyChildren.org says it should fall off by about 3 weeks of age. A children’s hospital in the UK says it usually falls within 5 to 15 days. Guidelines vary, so ask your doctor if the stump is still attached after 3 to 4 weeks.
A few drops of blood around the time the stump falls off can be normal. Do not pull the stump, even if it hangs by a thread.
Daily cord care: keep it clean and dry
- Wash your hands before touching your baby, and try not to touch the stump.
- Keep the stump dry and exposed to air. Avoid tight clothes over it.
- Fold the nappy below the stump so urine and stool do not reach it.
- Clean it only if it gets dirty, with plain water, and then pat it dry. Use fresh cotton wool.
- Leave the cord clamp in place until the cord comes off.
- Alcohol is not needed. HealthyChildren.org says alcohol is not required for cord care.
- Avoid putting powders, oils or home remedies on the stump. The sources above only advise keeping it clean and dry.
Tip: After each nappy change, take a quick look at the base of the stump. This habit helps you notice redness or discharge early.
Bathing a newborn safely
Newborns do not need a bath every day. The NHS says that topping and tailing, washing the face, neck, hands and bottom, is an alternative, and HealthyChildren.org says about three baths a week in the first year may be enough because over-bathing can dry the skin.
Sponge bath or tub bath?
HealthyChildren.org and MedlinePlus advise sponge baths until the cord stump has fallen off. A UK hospital library page says shallow baths are fine as long as the stump is not soaked. Because advice varies, follow what your doctor or midwife recommends for your baby.
Before you start
- Choose a calm time when your baby is awake, not straight after a feed and not when hungry or tired.
- Keep the room warm and have everything ready: towel, clean clothes, nappy, a baby cleanser if you use one.
- Use warm, not hot, water. Run cold water first and then add hot. Test it with your wrist or elbow. HealthyChildren.org advises keeping the water heater at 120°F (49°C) or lower to avoid scalds.
- Plain water is enough, or a mild cleanser made for babies. Use soap sparingly, because it can dry the skin.
During the bath
- Support your baby’s head and lower the body feet first into about 2 inches of water.
- Keep one hand on your baby at all times. Never leave the baby alone, even for a moment, and do not leave an older child in charge.
- Wash gently from the face down, leaving the nappy area for last.
- Pour warm water over the body to keep your baby warm.
- Wrap in a towel straight away, pat dry, and dry the skin folds well.
The NHS and HealthyChildren.org warn against bath seats because they can tip, and babies can drown in a few centimetres of water. Empty the tub straight after use. Do not clean inside the ears or use cotton buds there.
Oil massage for newborns: what to know
Oil massage is a loved tradition in many Indian families. A 2018 study in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh found that about 94 percent of caregivers massaged their infants, usually once a day starting in the first week, often by grandmothers. The most common oils included sesame-based Ayurvedic oil, coconut, olive and mustard oil.
The study’s authors note that mustard oil is considered harmful to infant skin and that vigorous massage can damage the skin barrier, especially in preterm or underweight babies. Caregivers themselves mentioned hazards such as overheated oil, forceful massage, and cold exposure. Few doctors had discussed massage with families, so clear guidance is lacking.
- Ask your doctor or nurse which oil is suitable for your baby, especially if your baby is premature or small.
- Never use hot oil. Check the oil is at body temperature on your wrist.
- Use gentle, light strokes only. Avoid forceful pressing or stretching.
- Keep oil off the cord stump.
- Keep your baby warm during and after the massage.
- Stop if you see a rash, redness or the baby seems distressed.
The NHS also advises checking that any oils or lotions are suitable for babies. Study findings varied across oils, and the evidence is limited, so a doctor’s advice matters more than family habit.
When to be cautious: Keep the cord stump clean and dry, and avoid putting powders, oils or other home remedies on it. If you are unsure about a family practice, ask a doctor first.
Signs of cord infection
Infection of the cord (omphalitis) is uncommon but needs prompt treatment. Contact a doctor if you see:
- Redness or swelling spreading around the base of the stump
- Foul-smelling or yellowish discharge, or pus
- Crying when the stump or skin nearby is touched
- Bleeding that continues or an actively bleeding stump
- A pink or red lump that stays moist or drains yellow fluid and does not improve in about a week (a small lump called a granuloma)
- The stump still attached after 3 to 4 weeks
Go to a hospital urgently if your baby has a fever (38°C or higher), is feeding poorly, or is unusually sleepy or floppy. Fever in a baby under 3 months is more worrying, as the NHS points out. See the emergency page and our emergency and critical care speciality, which provides 24/7 support for mothers and newborns.
A bulge at the belly button that appears when the baby cries is an umbilical hernia. HealthyChildren.org says it is usually harmless and often closes by 12 to 18 months. Do not tape a coin over it.
Related newborn care
Our postnatal and newborn care speciality supports mothers and babies after delivery. Read newborn care tips for first-time parents and newborn vaccination for more.
Talk to a doctor
If you have questions about your baby’s cord care or bathing, you are welcome to book an appointment or call +91 944 103 0587. Chaitanya Hospital is in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, and teleconsultation is also available. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor's advice.
References
This article was written in our own words from the following public health sources.
Educational content
Please note. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about your health, or in an emergency, call +91 944 103 0587 or visit the hospital.
