Question

How long after a newborn’s umbilical cord care can they take a bath?

Answer

When it comes to caring for a newborn’s umbilical cord, especially since your child is premature, it’s crucial to pay extra attention to the cleanliness and disinfection of the cord. Generally, a newborn’s umbilical cord will naturally fall off after about 7 to 10 days following birth. During this period, you can gently clean the umbilical cord area with iodine solution every day for disinfection. If you notice redness, swelling, discharge, or an unpleasant odor in the umbilical cord area, it may be a sign of omphalitis, and you should take your child to the hospital immediately for examination and treatment under a doctor’s guidance. Additionally, be careful not to let water touch the umbilical cord during bath time; you can use a waterproof umbilical cord sticker as a precaution. Most importantly, keep the umbilical cord area dry and clean to prevent infection.