http://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/umbilicalcord.htm
Keep the area clean. Pediatricians used to recommend cleaning the base of the cord with rubbing alcoholbut now most of them prefer that the stump is left completely alone, because alcohol is believed to irritate the skin and sometimes delays healing. Other alternative methods in caring for your baby’s cord include the use of Goldenseal Root and Echinacea. It is best to consult your child’s pediatrician for his/her recommendation.
Keep the area dry. Allow the cord to be exposed to air as often as possible. This allows the base of the cord to dry and will decrease the amount of time that is required for healing to occur. Using newborn diapers that have a special cut out or folding your baby’s diaper down will help keep the cord from being irritated. If weather permits, dress your baby in a t-shirt and diaper only to allow more time for the cord to dry out.
Only give sponge baths. Do not bathe your baby in a sink or special tub until after the umbilical cord has fallen off. If your baby does take a bath, make sure to fan the area to dry it completely. You do not want to rub it dry as this could cause irritation.
Allow the cord to heal naturally. It may be tempting to “help” the cord dry out and fall off especially if it appears to be hanging on by a thread, but it is best to allow this to happen naturally. Refrain from picking and pulling the cord off.作者: YokyChou 时间: 2013-6-3 14:28