Healthy Kids, Happy Kids
Care of the Newborn's Navel
General Newborn Care
The best way to care for a newborn's navel is to help it dry. After it has dried, expect the cord to fall off around 10-14 days of life, but occasionally the process takes up to 3-4 weeks. To help the drying process, expose the cord to air. It is no longer recommended to apply rubbing alcohol to the cord since studies show the cord separates sooner without alcohol. Sponge-bathe rather than sink- or tub-bathe your baby until the cord falls off. After the cord falls off, you may give your baby a full bath. It is common to see a small amount of bloody drainage from the cord for several days around the time when it is separating. It is also common to see a greenish-grey discharge at the base of the cord as part of the drying out process. Call us if there is a large volume of blood, discharge, odor or if the skin around the cord becomes red and seems sore to the touch.
List of Services
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Advice for Injury PreventionAdvice for Injury Prevention Advice for Injury Prevention
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Car SafetyCar Safety Car Safety
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Car Safety SeatCar Safety Seat Car Safety Seat
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Emergency Aid for Choking InfantsEmergency Aid for Choking Infants Emergency Aid for Choking Infants
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PoisoningPoisoning Poisoning
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Safety for Children: Ages 12 Months to 2 YearsSafety for Children: Ages 12 Months to 2 Years Safety for Children: Ages 12 Months to 2 Years
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Safety for Children: Over Age 2Safety for Children: Over Age 2 Safety for Children: Over Age 2
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Safety for Newborns: Ages 0 to 12 MonthsSafety for Newborns: Ages 0 to 12 Months Safety for Newborns: Ages 0 to 12 Months