{"id":1881,"date":"2026-02-02T21:49:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/?p=1881"},"modified":"2026-02-02T21:50:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:50:01","slug":"newborn-cord-care-how-to-care-for-your-babys-umbilical-cord-safely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/newborn-cord-care-how-to-care-for-your-babys-umbilical-cord-safely\/","title":{"rendered":"Newborn Cord Care: How to Care for Your Baby\u2019s Umbilical Cord Safely"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Newborn Cord Care: How to Care for Your Baby\u2019s Umbilical Cord Safely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The umbilical cord is a vital connection between mother and baby during pregnancy. After birth, a small stump of the cord remains attached to the baby\u2019s tummy. Proper cord care is very important in the first few weeks of life to prevent infection and ensure healthy healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Umbilical Cord Stump?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After delivery, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving a short stump attached to the baby\u2019s abdomen. This stump usually dries up, shrivels, and falls off on its own within <strong>7\u201314 days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Care for the Cord Stump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Good cord care is simple but must be done correctly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep the cord clean and dry<\/strong><br>If the cord gets dirty, gently clean it with clean water and allow it to air-dry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do not apply substances<\/strong><br>Avoid applying cow dung, herbs, toothpaste, ash, alcohol, powder, oils, or any home remedies. These increase the risk of infection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expose the cord to air<\/strong><br>Fold your baby\u2019s diaper below the cord to keep it dry and prevent urine from touching it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sponge baths only<\/strong><br>Until the cord falls off, clean your baby with sponge baths rather than immersing them in water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Let it fall off naturally<\/strong><br>Do not pull or force the cord stump, even if it looks like it\u2019s about to fall off.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Normal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is normal to notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A darkening or drying cord stump<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A small amount of dried blood when the cord falls off<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These usually heal on their own without treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warning Signs of Cord Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Seek medical care immediately if you notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Redness or swelling around the cord<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pus or foul-smelling discharge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bleeding that does not stop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fever or excessive crying<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warmth or tenderness around the cord area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Early treatment can prevent serious complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to See a Doctor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If the cord has not fallen off after <strong>3 weeks<\/strong>, or if you notice any signs of infection, your baby should be examined by a healthcare professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Proper newborn cord care helps protect your baby from infection and supports healthy healing. Keeping the cord clean, dry, and free from harmful substances is the safest approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any concerns about your newborn\u2019s cord or general baby care, speak with a qualified healthcare provider for guidance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Newborn Cord Care: How to Care for Your Baby\u2019s Umbilical Cord Safely The umbilical cord is a vital connection between mother and baby during pregnancy. After birth, a small stump of the cord remains attached to the baby\u2019s tummy. Proper cord care is very important in the first few weeks of life to prevent infection [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[802,803,804],"class_list":["post-1881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-child-and-adolescent-health","tag-cord","tag-tetanus","tag-umbilical-cord"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord-150x150.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord-196x300.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord.jpg","large":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"mascothealthcare","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6245491479ada5c011d746103e188e52935679f353558c771f24bdf2eb1c016?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":false,"magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Newborn Cord Care: How to Care for Your Baby\u2019s Umbilical Cord Safely The umbilical cord is a vital connection between mother and baby during pregnancy. After birth, a small stump of the cord remains attached to the baby\u2019s tummy. Proper cord care is very important in the first few weeks of life to prevent infection [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["Child and Adolescent Health"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":150,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":2,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord.jpg",640,981,false],"medium":["https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord-196x300.jpg",196,300,true],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord-150x150.jpg",150,150,true]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"mascothealthcare","author_link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/author\/mascothealthcare\/"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6245491479ada5c011d746103e188e52935679f353558c771f24bdf2eb1c016?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/child-and-adolescent-health\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Child and Adolescent Health<\/a>","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Umbilicalcord.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1306,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/why-every-pregnant-woman-in-lagos-needs-an-ultrasound-scan\/","url_meta":{"origin":1881,"position":0},"title":"Why Every Pregnant Woman in Lagos Needs an Ultrasound Scan","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"June 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but it comes with important health considerations. In Lagos, where maternal healthcare challenges exist,\u00a0ultrasound scans\u00a0play a critical role in ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy babies. Here\u2019s why no expectant mother should skip this vital diagnostic tool. 5 Essential Reasons for Pregnancy Ultrasounds in Lagos 1.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/womens-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"sacn","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Gemini_Generated_Image_6gro4r6gro4r6gro.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Gemini_Generated_Image_6gro4r6gro4r6gro.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Gemini_Generated_Image_6gro4r6gro4r6gro.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Gemini_Generated_Image_6gro4r6gro4r6gro.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Gemini_Generated_Image_6gro4r6gro4r6gro.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Gemini_Generated_Image_6gro4r6gro4r6gro.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1282,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/5-signs-you-may-need-an-emergency-pregnancy-ultrasound-in-lagos\/","url_meta":{"origin":1881,"position":1},"title":"5 Signs You May Need an Emergency Pregnancy Ultrasound in Lagos","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"April 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but sometimes urgent medical attention is needed. 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Severe Abdominal Pain \ud83d\udd34\u00a0When to worry: Sharp, stabbing pains\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Medical Treatments and Procedures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Medical Treatments and Procedures","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/medical-treatments-and-procedures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"pregnant woman","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/640px-Pregnant_woman_third_trimester_of_pregnancy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/640px-Pregnant_woman_third_trimester_of_pregnancy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/640px-Pregnant_woman_third_trimester_of_pregnancy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":784,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/faq-understanding-3d-and-4d-ultrasounds-of-intrauterine-babies\/","url_meta":{"origin":1881,"position":2},"title":"FAQ: Understanding 3D and 4D Ultrasounds of Intrauterine Babies","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"June 24, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Q1: What is a 3D ultrasound? A: A 3D ultrasound creates a three-dimensional image of the baby by combining multiple two-dimensional images taken at different angles. This method allows parents to see more detailed and realistic images of their baby's face and body, which can be particularly useful for identifying\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Child and Adolescent Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Child and Adolescent Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/child-and-adolescent-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"2d and 3d scan of a fetus","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2d-vs-3d.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2d-vs-3d.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2d-vs-3d.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2d-vs-3d.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2d-vs-3d.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1449,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/top-10-abnormalities-detected-in-an-anomaly-scan\/","url_meta":{"origin":1881,"position":3},"title":"Top 10 Abnormalities Detected in an Anomaly Scan","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"June 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The anomaly scan, also known as the mid-pregnancy ultrasound or detailed fetal scan, is usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. 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Below\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Child and Adolescent Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Child and Adolescent Health","link":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/category\/child-and-adolescent-health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/640px-Human_placenta_umbilical_cord_Ultrasound_by_Dr._W._Moroder.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/640px-Human_placenta_umbilical_cord_Ultrasound_by_Dr._W._Moroder.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/640px-Human_placenta_umbilical_cord_Ultrasound_by_Dr._W._Moroder.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":226,"url":"https:\/\/mascothealthcare.com\/blog\/understanding-twin-gestation-types-risks-and-care\/","url_meta":{"origin":1881,"position":4},"title":"Understanding Twin Gestation: Types, Risks, and Care","author":"mascothealthcare","date":"July 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Twin gestation, the development of two fetuses simultaneously in the womb, is a unique and fascinating aspect of human reproduction. While twin pregnancies are relatively common, they present distinct challenges and considerations for both expectant parents and healthcare providers. 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